I had one night's instruction with Master Hohan Soken when I was stationed at Kadena AFB. That was the most memorable instruction in my lifetime. I am now 83 and still doing the kata Naihanchi.

My Sensei from 1970 to 1973. Yes, could move fast. When we put on exhibitions people were amazed by him. He was a great role model for me when I was a kid.

I wish I took advantage of studying Shorin Ryu when I was stationed in Okinawa in 1986. As it is, I got into Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito in 1992 under Sensei Roy Canter in Maryland. The Naihanchis are my favorite katas. It's great to see Master Soken perform them. (although, in our execution, we'd bring our foot to touch the opposite inner leg on those parts of shodan.)

Thank you for sharing!! Huge respect for Okinawan Karate!

Spoken Sensei loved Kata. This is from Kim and Gen Penenger They helped with audio interview April 6 1972. when Spoken Sensei return from June visit. is when we found out Kiser's katas different. fluidity not same, posture etc.

I only spent a year in Okinawa, but it wasn't much of a secret that the Okinawans don't really like those from the main land. I'd be very surprised if any of them willfully committed suicide after the battle of Okinawa. In The Essence of Okinawan Karate Do by Shoshin Nagamine, he wrote that after the Japanese commander Lieutenant General Ushijima committed suicide, they voluntarily surrendered to the United States Army.

It was filed in 1972 when Soken shinshii was 82 years old.

Soken Sensei born 1889, video 1972 end of year. View picture from inside dojo, window ledge to his bedroom. Only one time out of over a thousand. Crossing into bedroom right foot on window edge, left foot in bedroom. Right foot slips 8nto dojo. Soken’s gi didn’t even touch widows edge, traversing into bedroom. Unbelievable

What year would this have been?

either this is speed up or hohan soken, even at that age, is fast.

That is about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I challenge to name even one Okinawan karate master who committed seppuku after Hirohito's surrender. Never happened, not even once.

Kata karate nada las mias

Respect, but all the sincere masters could not accept Hirohito's surrender. Seppuku left us with dregs. I stand to be corrected if my instinct is wrong.

Apology for playing devil's advocate. Exploring history. Missed the distant island of masters.