Karate "Tode" Sakugawa
(1733-1815)
Sakugawa is said to be one of the first known teachers of Okinawan Karate. He lived in the southern section of Shuri, Okinawa. Sakugawa’s most prominent student is probable Soken “Bushi” Matsumura (the father of Shorin-Ryu). Sakugawa’s father died at a very young age. Sakugawa needed a father like figure in his life. Takahara Peichin, a local map-maker, took Sakugawa on as a student and trained him in the Chinese art of “Tode”. Sakugawa is also said to have studied under or trained with Kusanku, a Chinese Envoy that he trained with for six years. Some sources say that he also traveled to China with Kusanku and trained there for several years. The Kata Kusanku and Sakugawa Nu Kun are said to have been passed down by Karate Sakugawa. He is also credited with creating the concept of the “dojo kun”. Today these “dojo kun” are character, sincerity, effort, etiquette, respect, and self-control. Sakugawa’s students include, but may not be limited to, Bushi Matsumura, Bushi Matsumoto, Makabe Chokun, Bushi Sakumoto, Kojo, and Ginowan Donchi.
Kata Practiced by Sakugawa: Kusanku
