Karate styles – Tomari-te

Tomari-te (泊手), meaning “Tomari hand” or “Tomari-technique,” is one of the three historical methods of Okinawan tode, alongside Shuri-te and Naha-te, from which almost all of what is recognised as modern karate developed. Tomari was originally a separate village, but it is now part of the same urban area at the southern end of Okinawa Island. Geographically and technically, Tomari-te is situated between Shuri-te and Naha-te. However, the distinction between Shuri-te and Tomari-te is often considered tenuous, arguably to the point of being practically meaningless. Today, Tomari-te is not commercially taught as a separate style, but its katas and some techniques are preserved and found within most Shorin styles.

Founding and Early History

The earliest history of Tomari-te is not documented in written records. Oral traditions suggest that the art was brought to the Ryūkyū Islands by a monk from the Chinese Shandong province named Anan. Anan, who may be identical with Master Shionja from Fuzhou, China, was possibly a Chinese sailor or pirate who became a castaway on Okinawa Island and took refuge in a mountain cemetery near Tomari. Legend claims that Anan taught the kata Chinto to Sōkon Matsumura.

The practice of te (a native Okinawan martial art) was profoundly influenced by the occupation of the Ryukyu Islands by Japan’s Satsuma nobility in 1609. A strict edict by Satsuma banned weapons and forced martial arts training to go “underground”. This secrecy meant that te became an esoteric art, taught and practiced in utmost seclusion, and its techniques became extremely violent, aimed at maiming or killing for self-preservation. This period of intense secrecy, which lasted until approximately 1903, also halted the written chronicling of the art, leaving much of its early history reliant on oral traditions and legends.

The modern form of Tomari-te was founded by Kōsaku Matsumora (1829–1898). He is reported to have learned the art from Kishin Teruya (1804–1868) and Karyu Uku (1800–1850), both of whom were said to be students of Anan. Tomari-te also drew influence from the northern line of Hoko Ha Kempō, which contributed to both Shuri-te and Tomari-te.

Key Teachers Throughout History

  • Kōsaku Matsumora (松茂良 興作; 1829–1898):
    • Regarded as the founder of modern Tomari-te.
    • Studied Tomari-te under Karyu Uku (also known as Giko Uku) and Kishin Teruya.
    • He also studied Jigen-ryū, a Japanese sword style.
    • Among Matsumora’s influential students were Motobu Chōki and Chōtoku Kyan.
    • He is credited with teaching his unique version of the Chinto kata to Chōtoku Kyan.
    • Some katas used in the Itosu style of karate are named after Matsumora, such as Matsumora no Passai. Matsumora no Passai is likely the closest to the historical original among Passai variants.
  • Kokan Oyadomari (親泊 興寛; 1827–1905):
    • A prominent practitioner and teacher of the Tomari-te style.
    • He was a disciple of Kishin Teruya (1804–1864) and Giko Uku (1800–1850).
    • From Teruya, Oyadomari learned the katas Passai, Rohai, and Wanshu, while from Uku he learned Naifanchi.
    • He was also a disciple of Ason and Annan.
    • Along with Kōsaku Matsumora, Oyadomari was one of the two main contemporaries responsible for passing down Tomari-te in the late 19th century.
    • The Oyadomari family maintained a lineage where the style was passed down from father to son for three generations.
  • Chōtoku Kyan (1870–1945):
    • Studied under both Kokan Oyadomari and Kōsaku Matsumora.
    • His favorite katas were Passai, Chinto, and Kūsankū. 
    • Kyan modified these katas to suit his small physical stature and preferred evasive training methods, giving his versions a unique flavour.
    • He passed down nine katas in their unaltered forms, which are characterised by hard, powerful movements and contain many “disguised” techniques, such as a middle block being used as a backfist.
  • Motobu Chōki (本部 朝基; 1870–1944):
    • A student of Kōsaku Matsumora and other masters.
    • Known for his exceptional skill in kumite (sparring) and practical karate techniques.
    • He notably emphasised the Naihanchi kata, also teaching Seisan, Passai, Shirokuma, Wanshū, and Jitte.
    • Motobu’s interpretation of Naihanchi incorporated te-like grappling and throwing techniques. He strongly believed that Naihanchi contained everything needed to become a proficient fighter.

Characteristics and Differences from Other Styles

Tomari-te is often considered to share common ground with Shuri-te, with their distinction being tenuous. While Naha-te often employs tanden (lower abdomen) breathing for power, Shuri-te and Tomari-te derive power from the legs and stance, transferring it through the hips into the technique. Tomari-te characteristically uses Zenkutsu Dachi (Front-Bent Stance) and Naihanchi Dachi (straddled legs or horse riding stance) prominently, combined with light steps and numerous Keri-Waza (foot techniques). Unlike Naha-te’s “circular” and “synchronised breath” movements, Tomari-te, like Shuri-te, is described as having “quick and linear” movements.

Historically, Okinawan karate was not systematised into distinct, city-centred styles before the 20th century; instead, each expert taught karate in their own particular way. The formalisation and division of Okinawan karate into the three styles, Shuri-te, Tomari-te, and Naha-te, in the 1930s was an “artificial invention” stemming from nationalistic interests (kokutai). Masters from various locations frequently trained together, shared knowledge, and even taught in multiple cities, making the notion of strict, separate styles inaccurate for that period. Kafu Kojo, a head of the Kojo family, famously referred to Tomari-te as “a hatch porch of various Shaolin katas”.

Growth and Spread

The influence of Tomari-te spread primarily through the incorporation of its katas and techniques into other Okinawan karate styles, especially the Shorin styles and their various sub-styles. Rather than establishing itself as a distinct commercial style, its legacy is evident in the foundational elements adopted by many successor styles. For instance, many Shorin-ryū styles contain a blend of Naha-te and Tomari-te elements. The official naming of “Tomari-te” by prefectural administrators in 1927 was part of a broader effort to present Okinawan martial arts to Japan as indigenous and locally cultivated, rather than overtly foreign-influenced, aiding its administrative and official integration.

Katas Associated with Tomari-te:

Many katas associated with Tomari-te are also found in Shuri-te and various Shorin styles, highlighting a history of shared knowledge and varied interpretations among masters.

Below is a list of katas associated with Tomari-te and its lineage, with details on their uniqueness and similarities:

  • Naihanchi (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan):
    • A fundamental kata, traditionally taught first to beginners in Shuri-te and Tomari-te schools before the Pinan series.
    • Itosu Ankō learned it from Sōkon Matsumura and simplified it.
    • Motobu Chōki strongly emphasised Naihanchi, believing it contained all necessary fighting skills. His interpretation included grappling and throwing techniques inherent in the Okinawan te.
    • Kokan Oyadomari learned Naifanchi (Naihanchi) from Giko Uku.
  • Passai (Dai, Sho):
    • Believed to have been created by an unknown master long ago and is a principal koryu (ancient stream) kata.
    • Handed down in and around the district of Tomari.
    • Chōtoku Kyan‘s favourite kata.
    • Kōsaku Matsumora‘s version was taught to Kyan.
    • Kokan Oyadomari learned Passai from Kishin Teruya.
    • Matsumura no Passai is likely the closest to the historical original among the many variants. Japanese forms of Bassai are a mix of various interpretations, systematised into Dai and Sho by Itosu.
  • Kūsankū/Kushanku/Kanku (Dai, Sho):
    • Believed to represent the defensive principles taught by a Chinese martial artist named Kusanku who visited Okinawa.
    • Taught to Chōtoku Kyan by Chatan Yara Peichin.
    • Chatanyara no Kūsankū is identified as being from Tomari, though its direct lineage is also associated with Shuri because Kusanku himself resided there.
  • Rohai:
  • Wanshu:
    • Kokan Oyadomari learned Wanshu from Kishin Teruya.
    • Taught to Chōtoku Kyan by Maeda Pechin.
    • Its name, also written as Wang Shu, refers to the diplomat Wang (1621–1689), who led a Chinese ambassadorial mission to Tomari in 1683 and is credited with teaching chu’an fa to the local gentry.
    • Gichin Funakoshi renamed it Empi.
  • Wankan: Also known as Okan. Chōtoku Kyan taught this kata.
  • Chinto:
  • Pinan (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan):
    • Created by Itosu Ankō in 1905, these five kata were designed to introduce fundamental techniques to beginners in schools.
    • Itosu named them after Channan (or Chang Nian), a figure associated with Tomari.
    • They heavily influenced all Shorin-ryū schools and continue to serve as the introductory platform for much of modern karate-dō.
    • Gichin Funakoshi changed its name to Heian. He also transposed the names of Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan in the 1930s, meaning the first Pinan kata in Shotokan today was originally Pinan Nidan. Shitō-ryū and Wadō-ryū retain the original ordering.
  • Seisan:
    • Versions of Seisan are taught across Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te streams.
    • The Seibukan Shorin-ryū version traces its roots to Sōkon Matsumura and prominently features the Shiko-Dachi stance, common in Tomari-te kata.
    • Uechi-ryū‘s Seisan is notably different from other versions, relying heavily on the Sanchin stance and incorporating distinct techniques such as knee strikes, one-knuckle punches (shōken zuki), spearhands (nukite), and front kicks (shōmen geri).
    • Gichin Funakoshi changed its name to Hangetsu.
  • Other Tomari-te Kata listed: Eunibu, Chinsu, Chinpu, Jumu, Nichin, Juma, Ananku. Ananku is also found in Shobayashi Ryu.
  • Jion, Jitte, Rohai (Meikyo), Empi (Wanshu): Some sources state that these three were originally a single kata that was later divided. Hirokazu Kanazawa speculates that the Jion kata group might have originated in the Jionji temple and subsequently spread to the Tomari region.
  • Ryuei-ryū Kata with Tomari connections: While Ryuei-ryū is a successor style to Naha-te, its master Nakaima Norisato learned a group of katas (Ohan, Pachu, Anan, Paiku, Heiku, Paiho) from Ryu Ru Ko in the Kojo Dojo in Fukushu, China. Anan is specifically credited to Nakaima Norisato from his Chinese studies. The Anan kata contains palm heel strikes and evasive footwork, with open hand and crane fist techniques suggesting Chinese kung fu roots.

Branches and Official Organisations

As Tomari-te is not taught as a standalone commercial style today, its influence is primarily seen in the successor styles that incorporated its techniques and principles. These include:

  • Wadō-ryū: Founded by Hironori Ohtsuka, who blended Shotokan karate with his knowledge of Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu. Ohtsuka practiced Shotokan Karate under Funakoshi, and his Wadō-ryū style retains the original ordering of the Heian (Pinan) kata, unlike modern Shotokan.
  • Motobu-ryū: Founded by Motobu Chōki, a student of Kōsaku Matsumora. Motobu-ryū is described as having a depth not easily grasped, with principles like “relax the body and throw your opponent with softness,” utilising the opponent’s force against themselves.
  • Matsubayashi-ryū: Named by Shoshin Nagamine in 1947 in honour of Kōsaku Matsumora and Sōkon Matsumura, whose teachings heavily influenced the style. It contains 18 katas, including many that originated from the Tomari-te lineage.
  • Shōrinji-ryū: This style also lists katas connected to the Tomari-te tradition, such as Oyadomari no Patsai.
  • Shōrin-ryū: Many styles within the Shorin group are mixtures of Tomari-te and Shuri-te elements. The “Okinawan Shorinji Ryu” (part of the Shorin-ryū group) lists kata like Oyadomari no Patsai, indicating direct lineage from Tomari masters.

While no specific official organisations are exclusively dedicated to “Tomari-te” as a distinct style today, the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai (Association for the Research, Preservation and Promotion of Ancient Ryukyuan Martial Arts), established by Taira Shinken, preserves classical kobudo forms that may have historical ties to Tomari, given its emphasis on traditional Okinawan weaponry.

Legacy

Tomari-te’s legacy is substantial, primarily through its profound influence on the development of many modern karate styles, particularly within the Shorin lineages. The katas originating from or heavily influenced by Tomari-te masters, such as Matsumora and Oyadomari, continue to be practised and studied globally. The Pinan katas, foundational to modern karate-dō, trace their creation by Itosu to earlier, longer katas like Channan, which is named after a figure associated with Tomari. The distinctive characteristics of Tomari-te, such as its stance work and foot techniques, are preserved within its descendant styles. Tomari-te stands as a testament to the period of secret martial arts development in Okinawa, where practical and lethal self-defence techniques were honed under oppressive conditions.