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In 1905 (Meiji 38), Karate was born with two distinct systems from the very beginning.
One was a draft prepared by Master Itosu Anko at his residence (then within the Ie Baron family’s cemetery grounds) in response to a call by the Prefectural School Inspector for “Karate as a school subject.” This can be called the dojo system, while the version that was actually adopted at boys’ middle schools (now Shuri High School) and the Normal School for teachers became known as the school system.
These two systems were documented by Professor Hideo Tsuchiya in the early issues of Monthly Karate-Do (Fukusho-do), and when confirmed with Master Kinjō, he responded: “That is correct.”
The main differences between the two systems can be summarized in two points:
- School system: “Shutō-uke” (knife-hand block) and “Naihanchi-dachi” (Naihanchi stance)
- Dojo system: “Kake-te” (hooking hand) and “Shiko-dachi” (sumo stance)
Kake-te reflects an awareness of Tuite (grappling techniques), while Shutō-uke was devised with sparring in mind. Shiko-dachi was intended for decisive grappling situations, whereas Naihanchi-dachi was seen as a way to strengthen the muscles around the knees. In both cases, one can say these methods were consciously designed with children’s education in mind.
Thus, from the very start, Karate had two parallel systems: the “school system” and the “dojo system” (Professor Tsuchiya called the latter the “home system”). Entering the Taishō era, the Gōjū-ryū Karate of Miyagi Chōjun was also added at the Commercial School, further diversifying Karate education.
As for the introduction of Karate into the school curriculum, the total number of applicants remains unknown, but it is recorded that both Itosu Anko and Higaonna Kanryō applied. Ultimately, it was Master Itosu’s Karate that was adopted.
Meanwhile, Miyagi Chōjun, a disciple of Higaonna, had studied Karate at the boys’ middle school and came to recognize the differences between what was taught there and the hand of his own master, Higaonna (Fujian Quanfa). Later, Miyagi created his own form of Karate based on Higaonna’s boxing methods, and this was adopted as a subject at the Commercial School.
Two main changes were introduced:
- Following Heian Nidan, he created the basic kata Gekisai Ichi and Gekisai Ni.
- He revised “open hand” (Kaishu) into “closed fist” (Ken).
Techniques such as gouging the eyes or grabbing the testicles were deemed inappropriate for school education.