Review of Taira Shinken: Father of Ryukyu Kobudo
Reviewed by H. E. Davey
Taira Shinken: Father of Ryukyu Kobudo,
Kansha Productions (www.kansha-productions.com),
VHS Video, $59.59
 aira
Shinken is one of the well-known figures in Okinawan
kobudo, which are the classical and older Okinawan
martial arts. Like much of the kobudo of Okinawa, Taira
Shinken: Father of Ryukyu Kobudo emphasizes the
traditional weapons of Okinawa (a.k.a. Ryukyu).
But more than this, the video is a documentary of the life
of Taira Shinken Sensei. (Also featured in the video are
Akamine Eisuke Sensei and Devorah Dometrich Sensei.)
According to Kansha Productions and the U.S. Ryukyu
Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai, this is the first in a series
of technical and historical videos about Okinawan martial
arts.
Taira Shinken: Father of Ryukyu Kobudo features a
biography of this noted teacher and kobudo historian.
Viewers should bear in mind that Taira Sensei was the
founder of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai, whose U.S.
branch produced the video, and as the result, the
biographical material presented probably doesn't contain
much in the way of "controversial material" or unorthodox
interpretations of his life story. This said, the video's
pictorial biography is interesting.
Of particular interest to scholars of Ryukyu kobudo is
the never before released footage of Taira Sensei performing
the kata (prearranged, formal exercises) of Okinawan
weaponry. While such rare footage is undoubtedly attention
grabbing, the average viewer should realize that the old
original films from which this material was taken were
clearly not always in the best condition, and viewing quality
is compromised on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, serious
students of Okinawan martial arts may be fascinated to see
actual film footage of this historical figure.
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