Kishin Teruya (照屋 規心) was a significant Okinawan martial arts master, born in 1804 and passing away in 1864. He was a central figure in the development of the Tomari-te style of karate.
While the sources do not specify Teruya’s own teachers, he is consistently referred to as a master and educator. He held strong beliefs regarding the character of his students, adhering to an “unwritten law” that dictated karate should never be taught to individuals who were rude, arrogant, or disrespectful, a principle that even extended to members of the master’s own family. This strong emphasis on morality and character (shingitai – spirit, technique, body) was fundamental to his approach to martial arts.
Teruya’s teachings greatly influenced several key figures in Okinawan karate:
- Kōsaku Matsumora (1829-1898): Matsumora studied diligently under Teruya after his initial training with Uku Giko.
- Kokan Oyadomari (1827–1905): Oyadomari was another of Teruya’s disciples.
Kishin Teruya played a direct role in transmitting specific kata within the Tomari-te lineage:
- He taught Kokan Oyadomari the kata Passai, Rohai, and Wanshu.
- Through his influence on Kōsaku Matsumora, he indirectly contributed to the propagation of kata such as Naihanchi (which Matsumora learned from Uku Giko) and Chinto (which Matsumora taught to Chōtoku Kyan). His profound understanding of martial principles undoubtedly shaped the “Matsumora-type Tomari-te”.
Kishin Teruya’s legacy rests on his foundational role in the Tomari-te tradition and his unwavering commitment to the moral and ethical development of his students. His insistence on teaching only those with noble character ensured that the martial art was passed down with a strong ethical core. His influence, particularly through Kōsaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari, continued to shape new generations of martial artists and contributed significantly to the evolution of Okinawan karate.
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