Hanashiro Chomo
Hanashiro Chomo 1869 – 1945
“The Honorable Hanashiro Chomo”
"PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS"
Chōmo Hanashiro was an Okinawan martial arts master who is notable for aiding in the evolution of Shōrin-ryūkarate.
Hanashiro was born in 1869 in Shuri, Okinawa, Ryukyu Kingdom. He began training as a young boy with the
greatest of Tote masters, Matsumara Sokon, well known as Bushi Matsumura. He was primarily a student of Itosu Anko, one
of Matsumura’s senior students, Anko Itosu.
He remained with Itosu, and acted as an assistant instructor for him up
until his death in 1915.
Hanashiro supported Itosu’s efforts in bringing Tote into the Okinawan school system, by teaching gymnastics at a junior high school in Shuri, and Tote in military schools. He trained with Yabu Kentsu, another of Itosu’s senior students Hanashiro pioneered the use of the word "karate". In his August 1905 publication, "Karate Shoshu Hen" (AKA "Karate Kumite"), the first known use of the modern kanji was used.
Hanashiro was one of the primary instructors for an organization formed in the early 1920’s in Okinawa called the Ryukyu Tote Kenkyukai (Okinawan Tote Research Club), an expansion of an earlier organization formed in 1918 by Miyagi Chojun, founder of Goju Ryu. These organizations were formed to continue the teachings of Itosu Anko, Higashionna Kanryo and Aragaki Seisho all of whom died between 1915 and 1918. The Kenkyukai, noted as a meeting place for Okinawa’s greatest masters to teach and exchange ideas, unfortunately disbanded in the late 1920’s, due in part to the demands of their students.
Hanashiro Chomo was one of the most
highly regarded karate masters in Okinawa, and his name is often mentioned in
historical events and meetings. Hanashiro
and Yabu were in fact part of the most famous gathering of karate masters ever held
on October 25th 1936 when all the leading masters of Okinawan karate
gathered to discuss the present and future development of Okinawan karate. At this meeting, the name “karate do” was
officially adopted over “Tote Jutsu”.
Other members of the group included Chojun Miyagi, Mabuni Kenwa, founder of Shito Ryu, Shiroma Shinpan, Dr Tsuyoshi Chitose, Chosen Chibana, Genwa Nakasone, Chotuka Kyan.
Hanashiro’s students included Nakamura Shigeru, of Okinawan Kempo, Hiroshi Kinjo considered to be a walking encyclopedia, Dr Chitose Tsuyoshi, Shimabukuro Zenryo, founder of Seibukan Shorin Ryu, Nakama Chozo, Chitose Tsuyoshi, and several others.
1945 was a horrific year for karate, and for Okinawa in general. Okinawa, caught between the United States and Japan, was relentlessly pounded by U.S. artillery and occupied by U.S. troops. During the 82 days of fighting, Okinawa estimates that approximately 60,000 civilians were killed. Many citizens died of starvation and disease, including Karate masters and their students. Hanashiro Chomo was one of the unfortunate victims. After the war a concerted effort was made by the remaining masters and students to rebuild Okinawa and to embrace, honor and continue the Okinawan martial arts legacy.