“Tode” Sakugawa, Satunushi (1733-1815)

Born in Akata Chow, a section of Shuri City on Okinawa, Sakugawa was to become a major figure in the history of karate. His life can be thought of as having three important aspects: student, innovator and Sensei.

Sakugawa began his studies under Takahara, Peichin (1683-1760). Further training came from the famous Chinese master, Kusanku, (Ko Sokun, Kung Hsiang-chun).

After Takahara’s death, Sakugawa formally took on the name “Tode Sakugawa”, a request from his Sensei’s death bed.

After learning Chinese Kempo and Okinawa Te, he decided to join the two and formed what we now call ‘Karate’.

He is also credited with the Dojo “Kun” or precepts. This must in someway show his concern for the moral behaviour of martial artists of his time.

It is also suggested that all Shorin systems could be traced back through Bushi Matsumura to Sakugawa. He has many times been referred to as the “Fountain head” of Karate.

Sakugawa achieved ‘Satunushi’ a title within the Gentry class which was part of a social, economic and political structure of Okinawa at that time. This “Gentry Class” was the third level below the Shizoku class which was second only to the royal family.

Two major kata associated with Sakugawa are: Sakugawa no Kon and the Kusanku kata, from the teachings of the famous Chinese master bearing the same name.

It is said that Sakugawa had befriended a political leader named Sofoku Matsumura. Just prior to the time of his death, he asked Sakugawa to help raise his son, Sokon.

When the young man was asked by the “Great Sakugawa” if he realized that Karate was a lifetime study, Matsumura answered with the understatement, “I will not disappoint you”.

By Hanshi Gary Legacy