Shoshin Nagamine letter to Japanese Karate Federation

[P.A.L]

In 1982 Okinawan masters sent a letter to JKF asking them to execute competition katas like Okinawans and use Okinawan names so the practitioner of sport karate could study the past.

here is a translation :

http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=4965

[sensei8]

Now that was a very pointed letter; no ambiguity whatsoever!!

[RW]

Wow.

Did JKF listen?

[JR 137]

Now that was a very pointed letter; no ambiguity whatsoever!!

Perfectly stated, Bob.

[P.A.L]

Wow.

Did JKF listen?

Yes , you can do any kata from the approved list in any round (2013) and You can do your own ryu-ha variation. they also added the Okinawan names and variations to the list.

you can find the rules for kata competition in page 28.

https://www.wkf.net/pdf/WKFCompetitionRules2018.pdf

[Wado Heretic]

Wow.

Did JKF listen?

Sadly, not at the time, but as mentioned by P.A.L we have finally seen progress on the matter with the JKF doing away with the Shitei-Gata. Now, I fear it is a mixed bag because I honestly, looking at the rules, just feel as though the concept of the Shitei-Gata has just mutated into a more encompassing version. After all, article five of the kata rules list establishes the "Official" kata and individuals are still beholden to performing kata from their Ryu-Ha. It is a comprehensive list, but still has omissions, and still largely favours the four "official" styles recognised by the WKO.

It is a move forward, but how good it is will be something only time will tell.

[Spartacus Maximus]

He(Nagamine) was right about his concerns in that letter. His feelings and opinion were and are still shared by many of the Okinawan ryuha heads and prominent karate practitioners there.

This is but one of the many reasons why it is very difficult nigh impossible for them to adhere to the concept of tournaments. Even on Okinawa there is bias against some schools. Kata tournaments there are dominated by Goju ryu and Uechi ryu which are both “Naha di”. One has to truly be exceptional to get top marks for presenting a Sui-di(Shorin ryu) kata.