The Outstanding Fujian Cultural Expert and Scholar - Lin Weigong (林伟功)!
Translator's Note: The earliest editions of this story appear on the Chinese language internet on December 30th, 2019. This story is then circulated around and through the Chinese language media for at least another six months to a year. There appears to be two dates that are distinct - but which are 'merged' - during the reporting of this story. The two dates are as follows:
a) 'September 16th, 1989' - when Lin Weigong made the official announcement that he had discovered the name of the Chinese Master of the 'Whooping Crane Fist' - that is 'Xie Chongxiang' (謝崇祥) [1852-1930]- also known as Xie Ru Ru (謝如如) and 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) - who was the teacher of the Higaonna Kanryo [1853-1915] (from Okinawa) during the 19th century.
b) 'June 9th, 1990' - a black marble "Monument of Achievement" was raised in the southwest corner of the Fuzhou New Sports Centre by the Japanese and Okinawa Karate Association in memory of the Chinese Master Xie Ru Ru (謝如如) also known as 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) - the Chinese teacher of the Okinawan Master Higaonna Kanryo!
Therefore, the year '2019' marks the 30th Anniversary of the announcement of the discovery of 'Xie Chongxiang' (謝崇祥) - whilst the year '2020' marks the 30th Anniversary of the raising of the black marble stele - and I believe the confusion (and conflation) of these two dates is the reason 'why' the news story continues to be associated with two different years (2019 and 2020). As not all of the historical data is present in any one single text (as the authors assume their readership already possesses a working knowledge of the story at hand), I have borrowed from at least three versions and have weaved a coherent historical narrative together. There was around eight months between Lin Weigong's historical announcement - and the Japanese - Okinawan Karate Association (representing 'Goju Ryu') organising the fund raising, commissioning, construction and transportation of the black marble stele - which is inscribed using Japanese language ideograms. The primary pictures in this article feature the stele and are dated from 1990 and 2000. The main stone tablet (and supporting base stele) both commemorate - with great respect - the eternal friendship that exists between China and Japan. This very close and fraternal relationship is embodied (and epitomised) through the creative (historical) interaction that took place between Xie Chongxiang and Higaonna Kanryo! May this interaction between the cultures of these two countries be forever fruitful! ACW (15.8.2022)
a) 'September 16th, 1989' - when Lin Weigong made the official announcement that he had discovered the name of the Chinese Master of the 'Whooping Crane Fist' - that is 'Xie Chongxiang' (謝崇祥) [1852-1930]- also known as Xie Ru Ru (謝如如) and 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) - who was the teacher of the Higaonna Kanryo [1853-1915] (from Okinawa) during the 19th century.
b) 'June 9th, 1990' - a black marble "Monument of Achievement" was raised in the southwest corner of the Fuzhou New Sports Centre by the Japanese and Okinawa Karate Association in memory of the Chinese Master Xie Ru Ru (謝如如) also known as 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) - the Chinese teacher of the Okinawan Master Higaonna Kanryo!
Therefore, the year '2019' marks the 30th Anniversary of the announcement of the discovery of 'Xie Chongxiang' (謝崇祥) - whilst the year '2020' marks the 30th Anniversary of the raising of the black marble stele - and I believe the confusion (and conflation) of these two dates is the reason 'why' the news story continues to be associated with two different years (2019 and 2020). As not all of the historical data is present in any one single text (as the authors assume their readership already possesses a working knowledge of the story at hand), I have borrowed from at least three versions and have weaved a coherent historical narrative together. There was around eight months between Lin Weigong's historical announcement - and the Japanese - Okinawan Karate Association (representing 'Goju Ryu') organising the fund raising, commissioning, construction and transportation of the black marble stele - which is inscribed using Japanese language ideograms. The primary pictures in this article feature the stele and are dated from 1990 and 2000. The main stone tablet (and supporting base stele) both commemorate - with great respect - the eternal friendship that exists between China and Japan. This very close and fraternal relationship is embodied (and epitomised) through the creative (historical) interaction that took place between Xie Chongxiang and Higaonna Kanryo! May this interaction between the cultures of these two countries be forever fruitful! ACW (15.8.2022)
In the summer of 1988, the relevant Departments of Okinawa Prefecture Government hosted a banquet in Fuzhou to thank the Deputy Secretary-General of the Fujian Provincial Government and Director of the Provincial Tourism Bureau - Nan Jiang (南江) - and other leaders including the well-known and respected senior academic - Lin Weigong - (Editor-in-Chief of People's History of the Fuzhou Local Chronicle Committee) who sought out the roots of the "Thirty-Six Surnames of Fujian People" in the Ryukyu country. He has made unremitting efforts and contributions to the search for roots and ancestors in Okinawa for many years. On September 16th, 1989, after months of arduous research, Lin Weigong made the breakthrough that everybody had been waiting for - that he had discovered the Chinese teacher of Higaonna Kanryo! This led to a great outpouring of enthusiasm and excitement in both Okinawa and Japan - culminating in the idea of constructing an engraved monument to honour the Chinese ancestor whose martial arts style eventually evolved into style of Goju Ryu Karate-Do in Okinawa! Therefore, on June 9th, 1990, in the southwest corner of the Fuzhou New Sports Centre, a solemn black marble "Monument of Achievement" was raised. It is a monument erected by the Japanese and Okinawa Karate Association in memory of the Chinese Master Xie Ru Ru (謝如如) also known as 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) - the Chinese teacher of the Okinawan Master Higaonna Kanryo - who developed a style of Karate-Do - that evolved into 'Goju' (Hard-Soft) Ryu. His full name was 'Xie Chongxiang' (謝崇祥).
Thirty-Years Ago - "People's Daily" Overseas Edition - "China Sports News" and Other Reports!
Investigative Report Published in "Fujian Local Chronicle".
The Chairman of Fujian Wushu Association Liu Zhonglu (刘中路) and Lin Weigong (林伟功) Cooperated to Publish a Report in "Chinese Wushu".
The Inauguration Ceremony of the Outstanding Monument Held at the Fujian Provincial Sports Centre (1990).
Wen Fushan (温附山) Vice Governor of Fujian Province - and VIP Leaders from All Walks of Life in China, Japan and Okinawa - Attended the Ceremony Took a Group Photograph in Front of the Monument.
The Name on the Tablet - Decided by the Historical Investigation team - is that of 'Ru Ru Ge' (如如哥) as the Martial Arts Master in Fujian Who Taught Higaonna Kanryo!
The Investigation Team Leader Lin Weigong (林伟功) [left] and Team member Ye Lili [叶力立] [right] (Cadre and Translator of the Liaison Office of the Provincial Tourism Administration).
From the left in the front row of the photograph: Lin Weigong (林伟功), Lin Xuanzhi [林萱治] (former Deputy Director of the General Office of the Fuzhou Municipal Government and former Director of the Municipal Local Records Office), Fang Baoyan (方宝炎) (the Great Master of Whooping Crane Fist - 鸣鹤拳 [Ming He Quan]), Huang Qiquan [黄启权] (former director of the General Office of the Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Municipal Office of Local Affairs), Wen Fu Shan [温附山] (Vice Governor of Fujian Province), Head of the Japanese and Okinawan Delegation - Yuika Tokashiki (渡嘉敷唯贤) - (President of the Japanese and Okinawan Karate Association). In the back row are the Directors and Deputy Directors of the Provincial Sports Commission, as well as leaders of relevant Departments and other members of the Japanese and Okinawan delegation.
China, Japan and Okinawa Held a Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Monument. (2000)
Lin Weigong (林伟功) was hired as a Special Consultant by the Japanese and Okinawan Karate Association to investigate the origins of Goju Ryu Karate-Do in China. The picture shows the esteemed Presidemt - Yuika Tokashiki (渡嘉敷唯贤) and Lin Weigong - taking a photograph together in front of the monument.
China and Japan held a Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Monument. (2000)
A Photograph of President Yuika Tokashiki and Lin Weigong - Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Fujian Provincial Surname Origin Research Association, Deputy Director of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee, and Head of the Liaison Office.
A Delegation of Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan Martial Artists and Leaders of Relevant Departments Took a Group Photograph in Front of the Monument!
The above pages are written in Japanese script and list a number of 'names' of honourable Japanese people who have contributed finance, time and/or expertise to the arrangement, construction and raising of the stone monument(s). These names include Moriyoshi Niizaki, Tomoyoshi Nakayoshi, Chuichi Uehara, Takakatsu Nakamura, Yasuhide Gibo, Antetsu Takehara, Yuki Dochu, Nobuichi Ishii, Koji Sugimoto, Noriko Sugimoto, Maki Sugimoto, Masashi Deni, Hiromi Miyagi,,Koji Miyagi, Hyakuna Ason, Hanashiro Seimei, Onaha Tsutomu, Nakazato Masayuki, Gakiya Hiroshi,
Kamiesu Choho, Hirota Nakaima and Kosuke Kamiya, etc.
Kamiesu Choho, Hirota Nakaima and Kosuke Kamiya, etc.
Chinese Language Articles:
https://www.it610.com/article/1225060581883613184.htm
https://88db.com.hk/QnA/Lesson-Instruction/空手道與褔建南拳的歷史淵源-剛柔流空手道的創造人在福建/1867
https://www.xuehua.us/a/5ebf28f07b5409df8eabbe2f?lang=zh-cn
Selection of Important Extracts:
老故事|30多年前林伟功受福建省政府之命为日本刚柔流空手道寻根
老故事|30多年前林伟功受福建省政府之命为日本刚柔流空手道寻根1988年夏，日本冲绳县有关部门在福州设宴感谢福建省政府副秘书长兼省旅游局局长南江等领导及为琉球国“闽人三十六姓”寻根的总查证人林伟功（福州市方志委人物志主编）等多年为冲绳寻根觅祖作出不懈努力及所做的贡献。
1989年9月16日，有關專家再次對謝如如是否做了進一步的論證，最後一致認為：謝如如(宗祥)確系日本沖繩剛柔流祖師東恩納寬量當年在福州所拜的中國武術師傅，並於1990年6月9日在福州市新體育中心西南角，矗立著一座莊嚴肅穆的黑色大理石“顯彰碑”，是日本沖繩空手道總會為紀念日本空手道剛柔流祖師東恩納寬量的中國師傅謝如如而立的紀念碑。這是中日武術界傳統中有源流方面影響的明證。
席上日方高野代表在再次致谢之余，提出希望请南江秘书长再安排林伟功主编将寻找日本刚柔流空手道中国鼻祖担当起来，南江秘书长给予接受，并让林伟功主编正式接受任务。宴后，在市方志办主任林萱治、黄启权的支持下，林伟功开展了艰辛的调查论证，发表了报告，并在副省长温附山的主持下通过论证会，确认福建省鸣鹤拳一代宗师谢如如是日本刚柔流鼻祖东恩纳•宽量的师傅，1989年取得圆满成功，并在省体育中心建立了显彰碑。
https://www.it610.com/article/1225060581883613184.htm
https://88db.com.hk/QnA/Lesson-Instruction/空手道與褔建南拳的歷史淵源-剛柔流空手道的創造人在福建/1867
https://www.xuehua.us/a/5ebf28f07b5409df8eabbe2f?lang=zh-cn
Selection of Important Extracts:
老故事|30多年前林伟功受福建省政府之命为日本刚柔流空手道寻根
老故事|30多年前林伟功受福建省政府之命为日本刚柔流空手道寻根1988年夏，日本冲绳县有关部门在福州设宴感谢福建省政府副秘书长兼省旅游局局长南江等领导及为琉球国“闽人三十六姓”寻根的总查证人林伟功（福州市方志委人物志主编）等多年为冲绳寻根觅祖作出不懈努力及所做的贡献。
1989年9月16日，有關專家再次對謝如如是否做了進一步的論證，最後一致認為：謝如如(宗祥)確系日本沖繩剛柔流祖師東恩納寬量當年在福州所拜的中國武術師傅，並於1990年6月9日在福州市新體育中心西南角，矗立著一座莊嚴肅穆的黑色大理石“顯彰碑”，是日本沖繩空手道總會為紀念日本空手道剛柔流祖師東恩納寬量的中國師傅謝如如而立的紀念碑。這是中日武術界傳統中有源流方面影響的明證。
席上日方高野代表在再次致谢之余，提出希望请南江秘书长再安排林伟功主编将寻找日本刚柔流空手道中国鼻祖担当起来，南江秘书长给予接受，并让林伟功主编正式接受任务。宴后，在市方志办主任林萱治、黄启权的支持下，林伟功开展了艰辛的调查论证，发表了报告，并在副省长温附山的主持下通过论证会，确认福建省鸣鹤拳一代宗师谢如如是日本刚柔流鼻祖东恩纳•宽量的师傅，1989年取得圆满成功，并在省体育中心建立了显彰碑。
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