Aragaki Seishō (新垣 世璋), also known by names such as Arakaki Ou, Mayā Arakaki, and Aragaki Tsuji Pechin Seisho, was a highly influential Okinawan martial artist. He was born in 1840 in either Kumemura on Okinawa Island or the nearby island of Sesoko, and he passed away in 1918 in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, at the age of 77 or 78. He was also famously referred to as “Aragaki the Cat”.
Aragaki Seishō held a significant position in Okinawan society; he was an official in the royal court of Ryūkyū. His official title was Chikudon Peichin, a status comparable to that of a samurai in Japan. Beyond his martial prowess, Aragaki was also a Chinese language interpreter and travelled to Beijing in September 1870. His connection to the Kume nobility is suggested by the fact that he taught kempō (Chinese boxing) to Higaonna Kanryō, an art typically reserved for that noble class.
The only documented martial arts instructor for Aragaki Seishō was Wai Xinxian, who hailed from Fuzhou in China’s Fujian province. This connection highlights Aragaki’s deep roots in Chinese martial arts. He also reportedly served as a conduit for other Okinawan martial artists, as he gave Higaonna Kanryō an introduction to martial arts master Kojo Taitei in Fuzhou.
Aragaki Seishō was notably involved in early public demonstrations of Okinawan martial arts. On 24 March 1867, he showcased Okinawan martial arts in Shuri, then the capital of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, before a visiting Chinese ambassador. This event was particularly significant as it occurred during a period when other prominent masters like Ankō Asato, Itosu Ankō, and Sōkon Matsumura were still active.
Aragaki Seishō’s primary impact on karate lay in his profound influence on kata development. While he is mentioned as the founder of “Aragakiryu”, sources clarify that he did not develop any specific named styles himself. Instead, his techniques and kata permeated and shaped numerous subsequent martial arts traditions. He was known for teaching a comprehensive set of empty-hand kata, including:
- Unshu
- Seisan
- Shihohai
- Sōchin (also spelled Shisochin)
- Niseishi
- Shisōchin
- Sanchin
It is noted that Aragaki was certainly teaching Sanchin in Okinawa during the 1860s, and it is possible that Higaonna Kanryō learned Sanchin and Seisan kata from him.
Beyond empty-hand forms, Aragaki Seishō was also an expert in weapons, particularly the sai and the bo. He taught specific weapon kata, including:
- Arakaki-no-kun
- Arakaki-no-sai
- Sesoku-no-kun
Aragaki Seishō is considered one of the “greatest martial arts masters,” and his techniques and teachings were fundamental to many of the most important figures in karate history. His students went on to found or significantly influence major modern karate styles, ensuring his legacy reached millions of practitioners worldwide. His notable students include:
- Higaonna Kanryō (founder of Naha-te, and the direct predecessor to Gōjū-ryū).
- Chōjun Miyagi (founder of Gōjū-ryū), who was also a student of Higaonna.
- Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shitō-ryū), who learned Unshu, Sōchin, Niseishi, Aragaki Sai, and Aragaki Bo Kata directly from him.
- Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan).
- Kanbun Uechi (founder of Uechi-ryū).
- Kanken Tōyama (founder of Shūdōkan).
- Tsuyoshi Chitose (founder of Chitō-ryū). Chitose started training under Aragaki at a young age, learning Sanchin for seven years before other kata.
While Aragaki Seishō did not establish a formally named modern style, his techniques and kata are clearly evident throughout many contemporary karate and kobudo styles. Some martial arts historians consider Chitō-ryū to be the closest existing style to Aragaki’s original martial arts. It is also noted that his descendants are primarily involved with Gōjū-ryū. Through the direct lineage of these martial arts pioneers, Aragaki Seishō’s influence continues to resonate in the practice of karate today.
Karate Kata Step By Step 