Above a quiet building in Naha, the capital of Okinawa, a small training hall serves as one of the most revered centers for traditional karate.
There are no rows of trophies or expansive gym equipment here. Instead, the dojo of the Yagi family functions as a space where techniques and philosophy are passed down from father to son, far removed from the high-stakes world of international competition.
Meitatsu Yagi, an 82-year-old master, oversees the school, El Mundo reported. For over six decades, he has taught the Goju-ryu style, a traditional branch of karate that emphasizes a balance between forceful strikes and defensive, fluid movements. His school, known as Meibukan, was established by his father, Meitoku Yagi, in 1952. The elder Yagi had been a student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of the Goju-ryu style.
“Here we have never taught competition fighting,” Yagi told El Mundo. “Karate is only defense.”
Okinawa Seeks UNESCO Recognition
As Okinawa approaches World Karate Day on October 25, local authorities and traditional masters are pushing for UNESCO to designate their traditional karate as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The effort is intended to protect the practice as a cultural expression tied to the history of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, rather than just a combat sport.
The history of the discipline predates the modern Japanese state. For centuries, the Ryukyu Kingdom acted as a trade hub between China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Local combat techniques, refined through exchanges with Chinese masters, eventually evolved into the karate practiced today.
Following the incorporation of Ryukyu into Japan in 1879, the art form began to spread, first to the Japanese mainland in the early 20th century and eventually to the West, fueled by post-World War II military presence and the influence of popular media.
The Evolution of a Martial Art
While the sport gained significant international exposure through the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, masters like Yagi argue that the traditional spirit remains distinct from the pursuit of medals. “There are two currents,” Yagi explained to El Mundo.
“One is traditional karate, which gives more importance to the spiritual part. The other is sports karate, whose goal is to win the competition, to get a trophy. Both have been developing in parallel for 50 years.”
Despite the distinction, Yagi does not believe the two forms are mutually exclusive. He noted an increasing number of practitioners who engage in both traditional and sport karate, suggesting that the core spirit of the discipline can endure. Currently, the Meibukan dojo hosts around 30 students, including international practitioners who travel to Okinawa to learn from the family lineage.
A Legacy of Three Generations
The continuity of the school is now in the hands of the third generation. Akihito Yagi has taken over the role of instructing and conducting international seminars, ensuring the family tradition persists. For the Yagi family, the value of the practice lies in the connection between teacher and student and the adherence to rituals of respect, rather than the accumulation of belts or accolades.
Okinawa has used its martial arts history to attract international visitors, building a specialized tourism sector around training and seminars. However, for those inside the Naha dojo, the survival of the art remains tethered to the presence of dedicated teachers and students. “Through karate, I have been able to connect with people from all over the world and from different backgrounds, beyond cultures and religions,” Yagi said.
“It is a joy to have so many friends and students all over the world,” Yagi told El Mundo. “All of that has been given to me by karate.”
