Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953) Biography
Chinese Language Source (Complete)
Translator’s Note: There are a number of different versions of the biography of Miyagi Chojun within the Okinawan, Japanese and Chinese languages. Although this is peculiar for someone who lived so recently (and is known to have been ‘real’), this situation appears to stem from the confusion caused in China, Okinawa and Japan by the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the Asia-Pacific War (1941-1945) – all contributing factors in the devastating Second World War (although Japan had been militarily agitating in Northeast China since at least 1931 – Japan being finally defeated in Manchuria during the Soviet-Japanese War of late 1945). According to existing information, there appears to be a pre-WWII biography and a post-WWII biography – with each perpetuated by a group of Okinawan and Japanese Goju Ryu Karate-Do students. This is to say that a number of students who trained with Miyagi Chojun prior to WWII preserve one version of the biography – whilst a group of students who trained after WWII preserve a slightly different version. As Miyagi Chojun lived for eight-years AFTER WWII and allowed this situation to exist is a mystery (presuming he knew about it). Although both biographies broadly ‘agree’ - there are differences regarding the dates important events happened, and confusions regarding what happened, in what order certain events unfolded and ‘why’ certain events happened when they did, etc. My (broad) notes on this matter are as follows:
NOTES: Differences in Miyagi Chojun’s Biography:
Miyagi Chojun 1888-1953 (general agreement) = 65-years old.
Higaonna Kanryo 1852-1915 or 1852-1916 (disagreement) = 63 or 64-years old.
Higaonna Kanryo visited China 1867-1881 (14-years training) - or any number of years between these dates (general disagreement).
Higaonna Kanryo was back in Okinawa between 1881-1902 - or 21-years - before he took on Miyagi Chojun as a disciple. General agreement of '1902'.
Miyagi Chojun spent 13/14-years training (1902-1915/1916) with Higaonna Kanryo. General agreement.
Miyagi Chojun travelled to Fuzhou in 1915 whilst Higaonna Kanryo was still alive. General agreement.
Higaonna Kanryo publicly proclaims Miyagi Chojun his inheriting disciple prior to October, 1915. General agreement.
Miyagi Chojun travelled to Fuzhou AFTER the death of Higaonna Kanryo during 1916. (general disagreement).
Alternative story - ethnic Chinese mourners who knew Higaonna Kanryo when he was young and training in Fuzhou - travel to Okinawa to pay their respects to the grave of Higaonna Kanryo and to Miyagi Chojun (his inheriting disciple) during 1916. General disagreement.
Miyagi Chojun travels to Fuzhou in 1917 (a year after Higaonna Kanryo dies) and learns the foundation to what would become the 'Tensho' Kata. General disagreement.
Alternative version - Miyagi Chojun does not travel to China in 1917 and does not learn the basics of what would become the 'Tensho' Kata.
Miyagi Chojun visits and teaches in Mainland Japan (1935-1936) - to ethnic Japanese students. This is the beginning of what would become 'Goju Kai'. This is also sometimes viewed as the origin of the differences in the biography of Miyagi Chojun (as the Mainland Japanese students often possess a different biography of Miyagi Chojun). General agreement. If 'Tensho' Kata was taught to the Mainland Japanese students at this time (prior to Miyagi Chojun visiting Shanghai) - then Miyagi Chojun must have a) learned its foundation a long time before, and b) developed this into 'Tensho' before 1935.
Miyagi Chojun visits Shanghai in 1936. General agreement. He visits the Jing Wu Association. General agreement. He learns the foundation of what would become the 'Tensho' Kata - general disagreement. Miyagi Chojun signs a document pertaining to 'World 'Peace' in Shanghai. Provenance uncertain. I have personally seen poor quality photocopies of a photograph containing 'unclear' Chinese and Japanese ideograms.
Miyagi Chojun develops the Gekisai 1 & 2 Katas as condensed vehicles for learning Goju Ryu Karate-Do (Higaonna Style Naha-Te) when teaching High School-College youths and young men during 1937 (the year open war breaks-out between Japan and China) preparing men mentally and physically for conscription into the Imperial Japanese Army. The Gekisai Katas are a condensed version of Goju Ryu Karate-Do. These Gekisai Katas were required as the 'traditional' method of long-term training did not match the requirements of the Imperial Japanese Government and its 'modern' approach to training for warfare.
An alternative view states that Miyagi Chojun developed the Geksai 1 & 2 Katas in 1940 - for no reason given. General disagreement.
On the evening of October 7th, 1953, Miyagi Chojun continued to teach all aspects of Karate-Do late into the night. Miyagi Chojun died peacefully in his sleep during the early morning of October 8th, 1953. General agreement.
Miyazato Eiichi (1922-1999) was the universally recognised as the official inheritor of Goju Ryu - confirmed by vote in 1955. General agreement.
END - NOTES: Differences in Miyagi Chojun’s Biography:
To highlight these differences, I recently ‘serialised’ a different version of the biography of Miyagi Chojun on my Ch’an Dao Blog – the chapters of which are divided into ‘years’ and can be accessed through the following links – so that the general reader can compare and contrast the differing versions. As I read the Chinese language – my primary sources are in that language – both of which have Japanese (and ‘Okinawan’) texts as their progenitor:
1) Miyagi Chojun Begins His Martial Arts Training (1899)!
2) Miyagi Chojun – Imperial Japanese Army Military Service (1910-1912)
3) Miyagi Chojun – Visiting Fuzhou and Inheriting the Tradition (1915-1917)!
4) Miyagi Chojun – Hawaii, Japan and Beyond (1933-1940)!
5) Miyagi Chojun – the Final Years (1942-1953)
I suspect that with perseverance the two ORIGINAL versions of the biography can be clearly reconstructed and divided – so that the current ‘mixed’ and ‘confused’ versions can be unravelled and ironed-out. It is my view that in the West (and possibly Asia), contemporary researchers have drawn liberally from both versions (even when each version has contradicted the other) and generated hybrid biographies of Miyagi Chojun’s life that not even he would have recognised! I suggest this - as each biography appears to be designed as a ‘competitor’ to the other – and to be mutually ‘exclusive’. In other words, the ‘differences’ are meant to be ‘deliberate’, ‘divisive’ and are not the consequences of ‘misunderstandings’.
ACW (9.10.2022)
NOTES: Differences in Miyagi Chojun’s Biography:
Miyagi Chojun 1888-1953 (general agreement) = 65-years old.
Higaonna Kanryo 1852-1915 or 1852-1916 (disagreement) = 63 or 64-years old.
Higaonna Kanryo visited China 1867-1881 (14-years training) - or any number of years between these dates (general disagreement).
Higaonna Kanryo was back in Okinawa between 1881-1902 - or 21-years - before he took on Miyagi Chojun as a disciple. General agreement of '1902'.
Miyagi Chojun spent 13/14-years training (1902-1915/1916) with Higaonna Kanryo. General agreement.
Miyagi Chojun travelled to Fuzhou in 1915 whilst Higaonna Kanryo was still alive. General agreement.
Higaonna Kanryo publicly proclaims Miyagi Chojun his inheriting disciple prior to October, 1915. General agreement.
Miyagi Chojun travelled to Fuzhou AFTER the death of Higaonna Kanryo during 1916. (general disagreement).
Alternative story - ethnic Chinese mourners who knew Higaonna Kanryo when he was young and training in Fuzhou - travel to Okinawa to pay their respects to the grave of Higaonna Kanryo and to Miyagi Chojun (his inheriting disciple) during 1916. General disagreement.
Miyagi Chojun travels to Fuzhou in 1917 (a year after Higaonna Kanryo dies) and learns the foundation to what would become the 'Tensho' Kata. General disagreement.
Alternative version - Miyagi Chojun does not travel to China in 1917 and does not learn the basics of what would become the 'Tensho' Kata.
Miyagi Chojun visits and teaches in Mainland Japan (1935-1936) - to ethnic Japanese students. This is the beginning of what would become 'Goju Kai'. This is also sometimes viewed as the origin of the differences in the biography of Miyagi Chojun (as the Mainland Japanese students often possess a different biography of Miyagi Chojun). General agreement. If 'Tensho' Kata was taught to the Mainland Japanese students at this time (prior to Miyagi Chojun visiting Shanghai) - then Miyagi Chojun must have a) learned its foundation a long time before, and b) developed this into 'Tensho' before 1935.
Miyagi Chojun visits Shanghai in 1936. General agreement. He visits the Jing Wu Association. General agreement. He learns the foundation of what would become the 'Tensho' Kata - general disagreement. Miyagi Chojun signs a document pertaining to 'World 'Peace' in Shanghai. Provenance uncertain. I have personally seen poor quality photocopies of a photograph containing 'unclear' Chinese and Japanese ideograms.
Miyagi Chojun develops the Gekisai 1 & 2 Katas as condensed vehicles for learning Goju Ryu Karate-Do (Higaonna Style Naha-Te) when teaching High School-College youths and young men during 1937 (the year open war breaks-out between Japan and China) preparing men mentally and physically for conscription into the Imperial Japanese Army. The Gekisai Katas are a condensed version of Goju Ryu Karate-Do. These Gekisai Katas were required as the 'traditional' method of long-term training did not match the requirements of the Imperial Japanese Government and its 'modern' approach to training for warfare.
An alternative view states that Miyagi Chojun developed the Geksai 1 & 2 Katas in 1940 - for no reason given. General disagreement.
On the evening of October 7th, 1953, Miyagi Chojun continued to teach all aspects of Karate-Do late into the night. Miyagi Chojun died peacefully in his sleep during the early morning of October 8th, 1953. General agreement.
Miyazato Eiichi (1922-1999) was the universally recognised as the official inheritor of Goju Ryu - confirmed by vote in 1955. General agreement.
END - NOTES: Differences in Miyagi Chojun’s Biography:
To highlight these differences, I recently ‘serialised’ a different version of the biography of Miyagi Chojun on my Ch’an Dao Blog – the chapters of which are divided into ‘years’ and can be accessed through the following links – so that the general reader can compare and contrast the differing versions. As I read the Chinese language – my primary sources are in that language – both of which have Japanese (and ‘Okinawan’) texts as their progenitor:
1) Miyagi Chojun Begins His Martial Arts Training (1899)!
2) Miyagi Chojun – Imperial Japanese Army Military Service (1910-1912)
3) Miyagi Chojun – Visiting Fuzhou and Inheriting the Tradition (1915-1917)!
4) Miyagi Chojun – Hawaii, Japan and Beyond (1933-1940)!
5) Miyagi Chojun – the Final Years (1942-1953)
I suspect that with perseverance the two ORIGINAL versions of the biography can be clearly reconstructed and divided – so that the current ‘mixed’ and ‘confused’ versions can be unravelled and ironed-out. It is my view that in the West (and possibly Asia), contemporary researchers have drawn liberally from both versions (even when each version has contradicted the other) and generated hybrid biographies of Miyagi Chojun’s life that not even he would have recognised! I suggest this - as each biography appears to be designed as a ‘competitor’ to the other – and to be mutually ‘exclusive’. In other words, the ‘differences’ are meant to be ‘deliberate’, ‘divisive’ and are not the consequences of ‘misunderstandings’.
ACW (9.10.2022)
Miyagi Chojun (宫城长顺) was born on April 25th, 1888, in Naha City, Okinawa. His family was wealthy and politically powerful and was categorised as ‘Sufeng’ (素封) or ‘Plain Seal’ (ㄙㄨˋ ㄈㄥ). This denotes a ‘Warrior’ (武士 - Wu Shi) or ‘Bushi’ family (that is ‘Samurai’ in the Japanese language) which possessed no official title (the Japanese had ‘abolished’ all such ‘Chinese’ derived titles of nobility during their annexation of the Ryukyu Islands in 1879), but which had access to (and controlled) ‘more wealth’ than a ruling monarch! Miyagi Chojun was the son of a very wealthy Okinawan family.
When he was 14-years of age, (1902), Miyagi Chojun was accepted as a ‘closed door’ (收为门 - Shou Wei Men) disciple of Higaonna Kanryo (东恩纳宽). Although the practice of martial arts in Okinawa was ‘public’ - this arrangement was ‘traditional’ and highly ‘formal’ in nature (suggesting a more personalised and in-depth transmission). Not only was Higaonna Kanryo a very strict and demanding teacher – but he insisted upon the old ‘Chinese’ (Confucian) tradition of a potential student being ‘introduced’ to him by letter. The person writing the letter had to stake their ‘honour’ upon the ‘good character’ of the individual being introduced. This is how a student gained ‘entry’ through the ‘gate’ (of the School) and accessed the ‘hidden’ or ‘inner’ teachings not shown in public. As a consequence, Higaonna Kanryo was well-known for ‘refusing’ potential disciples if the social approach was ‘lacking’ in respect. Miyagi Chojun was ‘introduced’ by a letter to Higaonna Kanryo written by the ‘Grandfather’ of Aragaki Shuichi (新垣修一).
During 1915, Higaonna Kanryo sent Miyagi Chojun to Fuzhou (in China) to meet ‘Shi Gong’ (师公) - that is ‘Master Gong’ - and other related martial arts teachers with whom Miyagi Chojun studied. Master Gong was the teacher of Higaonna Kanryo when he was in Fuzhou (1867-18881). Whilst visiting Fuzhou, Miyagi Chojun was accompanied by ‘Wu Xiangui’ (吴贤贵). Wu Xiangui was a famous ‘Fujian White Crane Fist’ (福建白鹤拳 - Fu Jian Bai He Quan). (Wu Xiangui was ethnic Chinese but had migrated to Okinawa and after naturalisation he changed his surname to ‘Yoshikawa’ [吉川] - passing away in 1940). During this time, Miyagi Chojun studied a ‘Form’ known as ‘Six Weaving Hands’ (六机手 - Liu Ji Shou) - which was a ‘closed fist’ (拳 - Quan) or fighting set of movements (套 - Tao). Later (after returning to Okinawa), these techniques would be reworked by Miyagi Chojun into the ‘Turning Palm’ (转掌 - Zhuan Zhang) - or ‘Tensho’ Kata!
Shortly after returning to Okinawa (during late 1915) - Higaonna Kanryo formally ‘recognised’ Miyagi Chojun as the inheritor of his martial arts tradition – this happened just before Higaonna Kanryo passed away. Throughout Naha City – it was well-known that Miyagi Chojun was the ‘new’ Head Teacher of the Higaonna Naha-Te (那霸手) martial arts lineage!
On December 27th, 1927, a famous Judo (柔道 - Rou Dao) teacher called ‘Kano Jigoro’ (嘉纳治五郎) - and his family - was invited to the Island by the Okinawan Judo Association. Kano Jigoro visited the ‘Miyagi Dojo’ (宫城道场) and was very deeply impressed with the demonstration of ‘Karate-Do’ (空手道) that he witnessed! After returning to Tokyo, he founded the ‘Kodokan Kata’ (讲道馆之型) - a set of formalised Judo movements premised entirely upon the self-defence techniques demonstrated by Miyagi Chojun and his students in Okinawa!
In 1935, ‘Tang Hand’ (唐手 - Tang Shou) was officially renamed ‘Empty Hand’ (空手 - Kong Shou). In other words, ‘Tang-Te’, ‘Tang-Ti’ or To-Ti' was renamed ‘Kara-Te’! (As the Chinese ideograms ‘唐’ [Tang] and ‘空’ [Kong] are both pronounced ‘Kara’ in the Japanese language – this change was thought appropriate). In April of the same year, Karate-Do was officially included in the syllabus of the Okinawa Police Department and University – and was described as a formal sports course! Indeed, Miyagi Chojun is the first person to hold the post of Karate-Do ‘Teacher’ in such an organisation!
Miyagi Chojun was originally opposed to Okinawan martial arts being divided into different and competing styles and lineages. His view was that there should be no boundaries within the martial arts community. During 1930, however, a disciple of Miyagi Chojun named Shinzato Jinan (新里仁安的) visited the ‘Meiji’ Shrine (situated in Tokyo) during a national martial arts conference! Although the audience of Japanese dignitaries were highly impressed with what they saw – when asked what ‘style’ he was practicing - Shinzato Jinan could not answer.
After returning to Okinawa, Shinzato Jinan asked Miyagi Chojun how he should answer if asked this question in the future? Meanwhile, Miyagi Chojun had realised that in modern Japan ALL successful martial arts schools possessed ‘particular’ lineages and traditions – and distinguished between themselves by the martial techniques they specialised in developing! Therefore, it had become necessary to ‘name’ the Karate-Do style he now promoted. To do this, Miyagi Chojun consulted the ancient Chinese language book (transmitted from China to Okinawa) entitled ‘Military Preparation Record’ (武备志 - Wu Bei Zhi) and carefully studied the Chapter entitled the ‘Fist Law Eight Great Essential Sentences’ (拳法八大要句 - Quan Fa Ba Da Yao Ju) which read as follows:
1) The heart (and mind) of humanity mirrors the divine sky and the broad earth!
人心同天地
2) The blood circulates through the energy channels like the sun and the moon traverse the sky!
血脉似日月
3) The law is hard and soft throughout - traversing naturally downward (as if swallowing) and upwards (as if regurgitating).
法刚柔吞吐
4) The physical body exists in time and space – and is governed by the agency of ‘change’.
身随时应变
5) An open hand finds its way – easily gaining ‘entry’ when empty.
手逢空则入
6) These are the rules for unhindered ‘advance’ and ‘retreat’!
码进退离逢
7) Use your vision correctly and perceive clearly in all (four) directions!
目要视四向
8) Use your hearing correctly and perceive clearly in all (eight) directions!
耳能听八方
From these eight sentences, Miyagi Chojun chose a section of sentence number ‘3’ - namely ‘法刚柔’ (Fa Gang Rou) or the ‘Law of Hard and Soft’ - and he used ‘刚柔’ (Gang Rou) or ‘Goju’ (in the Japanese language) to describe (and distinguish) which characteristics best describe his martial arts style! He called his style the ‘Goju Ryu’ or ‘Hard-Soft Tradition’! He further explained that the ‘Hard-Soft’ School is premised directly upon the principle of the interaction (and coordination) of the ‘Yin-Yang' (阴阳) circulation of energy throughout the mind and body! Mastering this Yin-Yang circulation ensures the development of the (coordinating) strength and skill that prevails in combat! Therefore, in the future the style taught by Master Miyagi Chojun was described to others as the ‘Goju Ryu’ - with Miyagi Chojun being considered the top expert of this lineage!
In April 1934, Miyagi Chojun applied to Hawaii to teach Goju Ryu Karate-Do. (This is the beginning of the spread of Karate-Do to foreign countries).
In 1937, when Japan and the Republic of China went to war, Miyagi Chojun was hired as a Sports Instructor in the military and was responsible for teaching potential recruits who had not yet officially enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army. (These so-called recruits were those who were still studying in school - but who had already been drafted into the Army). The Imperial Japanese Government followed ‘modernist’ trends which required soldiers to be fully trained within three months. As this was the case, Miyagi Chojun found that the ‘traditional’ approach to martial arts training had to be abandoned because it took too long. To adjust to this new situation, Miyagi Chojun designed to new training ‘sets’ or ‘patterns’ - that were easier to learn, and which contained a condensed version of the Goju Ryu style. These were the two ‘Gekisai’ (击碎 - Ji Sui) ‘Katas’ Numbers ‘1’ & ‘2’ - the so-called ‘Smash Break’ Katas – designed to ‘Penetrate a Fortress’! Miyagi Chojun is credited with developing the ‘Upper-Block’ within these Katas – the so-called ‘Upper-Level Rising to Meet’ (上段扬受 - Shang Duan Yang Shou) technique! There is no mention of any type of ‘Upper-Block’ existing in Naha-Te or Karate-Do in Okinawa prior to 1941! This movement was not found in any other Goju Ryu Kata! The ‘Three Blocking Levels’ (三段技 - San Duan Ji) were also developed during this period by Miyagi Chojun!
During late 1945 - when Japan was defeated, and Okinawa was under the control of the United States - Miyagi Chojun established his own Dojo and focused upon the promotion of Goju Ryu Karate-Do! The Master - who always advised his disciples to cultivate humility and train with ascetic discipline - died of illness in Okinawa on October 8th, 1953.
Before his death, Miyagi Chojun had foreseen (and always firmly believed) that Karate-Do would become an international competitive activity in the future - alongside Judo and Kendo! In 1957, the first All-Japan karate Competition was held! This ‘official’ support led to the continuous development of various Karate-Do organizations, so that today Karate-Do ‘Dojo’ have become very common in universities, middle schools, and even elementary schools. Indeed, Karate-Do has spread all over the world and has become very popular amongst all kinds of people! Although originating in China, this martial art was transmitted to Okinawa and Japan, was refined, altered and changed, and has now formed the basis of a truly ‘International’ system of self-defence and sporting excellence! Karate-Do is a method that combines ‘tradition’ with ‘modernity’ which is always evolving and improving!
*** In addition to the nine ‘Sets’ or ‘Kata’ originally brought back from Fuzhou by Higaonna Kanryo – Miyagi Chojun created three ‘Sets’ or (Kata) of his own which in chronological order should read:
1) Tensho (Turn Hands) - 1915 onwards (premised upon the ‘Six Weaving Hands’ learned in Fuzhou)
2) Gekisai Dai Ichi (Smash and Break Number One) - 1937 – a condensed version of Goju Ryu
3) Gekisai Dai Ni (Smash and Break Number Two) - 1937 - a condensed version of Goju Ryu
As the Gekisai Kata are now taught as ‘Beginner’ level exercises – and ‘Tensho’ considered one of the most advanced Kata within Goju Ryu – this list is usually presented in what might be termed the ‘Grading’ order:
a) Gekisai Dai Ichi (Smash and Break Number One) - 1937 – a condensed version of Goju Ryu
b) Gekisai Dai Ni (Smash and Break Number Two) - 1937 - a condensed version of Goju Ryu
c) Tensho (Turn Hands) - 1915 onwards (premised upon the ‘Six Weaving Hands’ (‘Robuki’ in the Okinawan language) learned in Fuzhou)
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2022.
Chinese Language Source: http://tc.wangchao.net.cn/baike/detail_991451.html
宫城长顺(1888~1953)
宫城长顺生于1888年4月25日,那霸市出生,乃素封家(武士职衔)之子,家道富裕。在 14岁时(1902年)才被东恩纳宽量收为门徒。当时拜师学艺虽谓公开,但亦要有一特别的人仕介绍,才会被接纳为门徒的,尤其是东恩纳宽量收徒甚严,故一个介绍人是必需的,而宫城长顺的介绍人就是新恒修一的祖父。
1915年,宽量叫宫城长顺到福州寻访师公及其他同门。在福州期间,宫城长顺跟随吴贤贵(吴乃福建白鹤拳名家,后归化改姓吉川。1940年死于冲绳。)及其它武术家习武切磋。在这段时间,宫城学习了一套名叫六机手的拳套,当他回到冲绳岛后,再把它整理改良后,称为转掌.
1915年,宫城长顺回到冲绳岛不久后,东恩纳宽量病殁,宫城长顺承继了他的武术,并成为那霸手的总教练。
1927年12月27日,一位名叫嘉纳治五郎的柔道家应冲绳柔道协会之邀请到冲绳;在观看过宫城道场的学生表演空手道后,深深被空手道的武技所吸引。回到东京后,便创制了“讲道馆之型”,而其中很多抛投之方法是与当日其在宫城道场里所看到的示范一样。
1935年,“唐手”被正式改名为“空手”。(因日语“唐”字与“空”字同音,且此乃徒手武技,改为“空手”亦见贴切。)在同年四月,空手道被正式列入冲绳警察部及大学里作为正式的体育课程,宫城长顺便成为第一个空手道的师范。(师范被誉为教练中之教练。)
宫城长顺一向不喜以门派来把武术划分界线,但在1930年,宫城长顺先生一个门徒叫新里仁安的,被派到东京的明治神宫去参加一个全国武术会议时,在会中示范表演后,被问及流派名称时,竟无以答
回到冲绳后,便问宫城长顺,如果再有人问他是什么流派时应怎样回答。宫城长顺便体会到如果要把他的武术发扬光大,必需给此种武术系统一个名称,而一本由中国传到冲绳的武术古书“武备志”里,其中有说及“拳法八大要句”:
人心同天地 血脉似日月
法刚柔吞吐 身随时应变
手逢空则入 码进退离逢
目要视四向 耳能听八方
在这八句里,其中 “法刚柔吞吐”中,宫城长顺喜“刚柔”二字包含了“阴阳协调及力度技巧”之意,故把其所教授之武术称为“刚柔流”。于是刚柔流便产生了,而宫城长顺便顺理成章地成为刚柔流的流袓。
1934年四月宫城应聘到夏威夷教授刚柔流空手道。(此为空手道传至外国之始。)
1937年,日本与韩国发生战争,宫城长顺被聘为军部里体育教官,专门负责教导未正式入伍之新兵。(所谓新兵,其实是还在学校里读书,但已被征准备入伍者。) 因为刚柔流原有的拳套对这些短期学生来说实在太难上手,于是便创制了两套更浅、更容易学的拳套,就是现在的击碎第一、第二。同时,在这两套拳里,我们可以见到一个基本挡法 “上段扬受”的出现。在1941年之前,这个挡法,一直没有在那霸手系中出现过,甚至在其它的刚柔流拳套里亦没有这个动作。“三段技”亦是在这段时期内制定的。
1945年,日本战败,冲绳岛归美国管治,宫城先生亦再设立道场,专心从事刚柔流空手道的推广。
1953年,这位一向以谦虚、苦修来告诫弟子的宗师,在10月8日病殁于冲绳。
其生前一直预见及坚信空手道将来一定会与柔道、剑道等会成为一种国际性的竞技活动。终于,在 1957年,第一次全日本空手道比赛开始后,在各个空手道组织不断发展下,今日空手道已很普遍地在各间大学、中学、甚至小学设立道场。 而世界各地亦兴起了学习空手道的热潮。亦成立了国际性的空手道总会、连盟等。 空手道--- 这种源出自中国,正一路不断地改良、演变、壮大成为一种传统与现代体育法混合的武术。
*** 除了宽量从福州带回来的九套拳外,长顺先生另加创了三套型(KATA):击碎第一(GEKIISAI DAI ICHI)、击碎第二(GEKIISAI DAI NI)、及转掌(TENSHO)。