{"id":1051,"date":"2023-12-05T09:39:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T14:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/living.okinawa.halekulani.com\/?p=1051"},"modified":"2025-03-04T10:14:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T15:14:03","slug":"%e9%9d%99%e3%81%8b%e3%81%aa%e3%82%8b%e5%8a%9b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/living.okinawa.halekulani.com\/en\/%e9%9d%99%e3%81%8b%e3%81%aa%e3%82%8b%e5%8a%9b\/","title":{"rendered":"Peaceful Power"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On a hot summer evening in Naha\u2019s Kume village, the drone of cicadas is punctuated by the cracks of fists against wooden boards. The synchronized pounding of feet and spirited yells echo around the neighborhood. It is here at Meibukan Hombu D\u014dj\u014d, and at other karate schools throughout the islands, that Okinawa\u2019s unique culture is preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seated in a corner is Meitetsu Yagi, a master of a style of karate known as G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b. He began his training from the age of 6 years old and earned his first dan (rank) in both karate and judo at age 16. Like many Okinawan karate masters, he went on to hold a day job alongside his martial arts practice, but his true passion and calling was karate. Working as a high school English teacher until he retired at age 60, he considered the two parts of his life\u2014teaching and karate training\u2014connected. \u201cThe goal of education and bud\u014d (the way of the warrior) is the same,\u201d he says. \u201cTo become a nice person who can contribute to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His son, Ippei Yagi, a barrel of a man, stands at the front of the room. Gripping the wooden floor with his toes, Ippei twists his hips and powers his arm and fist into an invisible target. As an All Okinawa Karate Champion of kumite, or sparring, Ippei wasn\u2019t known for flashy kicks or rapid strikes but powerful, well-timed blows. Today he is the next successor in line after his father to oversee many of the d\u014dj\u014ds affiliated with the Meibukan branch of G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b karate founded by his grandfather, the late Meitoku Yagi. In 1997, Meitoku became a holder of the Intangible Cultural Property title for Okinawa karate and kobud\u014d. He is said to have learned all 12 core G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b kata (forms) from Miyagi Ch\u014djun, the legendary forefather of G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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