KARATE NERD IN OKINAWA | Season 2 (Ep. 4) — Ryukyu Kenpo (Kempo) by Shigeru Nakamura

KARATE NERD IN OKINAWA | Season 2 (Ep. 4) — Ryukyu Kenpo (Kempo) by Shigeru Nakamura

Karate 42 Comments

Exploring the Roots of Karate with Jesse Enkamp: “KARATE NERD IN OKINAWA | Season 2 (Ep. 4) — Ryukyu Kenpo (Kempo) by Shigeru Nakamura” In-Depth Review

In this captivating episode from the Karate Nerd in Okinawa series, Jesse Enkamp, a.k.a. “The Karate Nerd,” returns to Okinawa to delve deeper into the history and techniques of traditional Ryukyu Kenpo (Kempo) by Shigeru Nakamura.

Uploaded on 2nd Sep 2018, this insightful 13-minute video has amassed 96111 views. Jesse’s journey starts at Okinawa University where he studied the Japanese language and culture, skills which helped him grasp the mindset and culture of traditional karate practitioners.

He revisits Matsuyama Park, considered to be the birthplace of karate, explaining how families relocated from China were instrumental in introducing Chinese martial arts traditions which ultimately morphed into modern-day karate.

Enkamp then takes us to a local community center where he engages in a Okinawan Kenpō training session. Founded by Shigeru Nakamura, Okinawan Kenpō is a martial art style that encourages an open-minded approach, similar to Bruce Lee’s philosophy. Emphasizing the importance of mastering different levels – isolation, integration, and improvisation – he sheds light on the progression of karate training.

The video concludes with a sneak peek at his upcoming meeting with an 80-year-old 10th dan karate grandmaster in the next episode, creating a sense of anticipation among the viewers.

In a nutshell, Jesse Enkamp manages to effectively blend education and entertainment, making this video a must-watch for anyone interested in the birth and evolution of Karate.

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Discovering The Karate Nerd: Jesse Enkamp

Meet Jesse Enkamp, also known as The Karate Nerd. Hailing from Sweden, he is a passionate karate practitioner, teacher, and author. As an internationally recognized Karate expert, Enkamp has dedicated his life to the art, regularly competing, and sharing his knowledge through his popular blog and YouTube channel. Beyond his physical skills, his love for the history, philosophy, and cultural aspects of Karate sets him apart. He’s committed to preserving traditional Karate, making him an inspiring figure in the global martial art community. Jesse Enkamp truly embodies the spirit of Karate.

[headline style=”default” size=”large”]The Elegance and Power of Karate[/headline]

Often misunderstood as merely a form of physical combat, karate is in reality a profound philosophy of strength and serenity. It originated in Okinawa, Japan and has since spread across the globe, emphasizing discipline, respect, and personal development. Practicing karate instills a sense of balance and harmony, both physically and mentally. The confluence of precise movement and focused concentration make it a form of moving meditation. Karate is not only about self-defense but also about nurturing an attitude of peace and respect toward oneself and others. It truly symbolizes the marriage of power and elegance.

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A Brief Look into Okinawa’s Role in Japanese Martial Arts History

Steeped in tradition and heritage, Japanese martial arts draw inspiration from various regions – most notably, Okinawa. As the birthplace of Karate, Okinawa holds a significant place in Japanese martial history. Emerging in response to prohibitions on weapons, Okinawans developed a distinctive style of unarmed combat, honing agility and strength. This martial arts technique later evolved into various styles, shaping Japan’s martial arts landscape. It illustrates the resilience and creativity of the Okinawans during challenging times. Today, Okinawa’s legacy continues to influence and enrich martial arts not only in Japan but worldwide.

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42 Comments

  1. I trained shorin-rue domo arrigato! Fuga kisa was from okeniowa. I love the style, the history, and what that style means. It is a life style, not a sport. Being a member of the AOSKKF was a dream.

  2. I really like your channel, your videos and everything you do! I admire you very much.

    postscript: you remind me of Emilia Clarke, and i love Emilia Clarke hehe

  3. So did you have an actual major there at Okinawa university? I know you said you studied Japanese culture and such but I didn’t know what kind of major that would fall under. It’s kinda crazy to think about, I’m in the US and I would have to laugh if someone came here to study our culture..shows how new the United States are in the grand scheme of things. We’re a pretty new country. I love all the rich culture from other countries that you don’t usually see here in the states, at least definitely not to the extent you would see elsewhere. I would call my culture…the culture of fried chicken 🤣 also super jealous about free university in Sweden…still paying on my own loans from college here 😭

  4. One the main problems is that the that whether it is karate, judo, aikido types is they have to be evolved to be used from a natural standing or walking stance, with hands down by the sides. On the streets you are not going to be in guard or grabbing the opponents clothing or even side wise on.

  5. I train and have a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and would love to cross train with you! I also want to travel the world and train jiujitsu in brazil and Japan!

  6. Great videos well edited and very informational! I studied Shoriji Kenpo when I was younger and KaJuKenpo when I was older. Like you I 'm fascinated by the different styles of Karate, unlike you I'm not versed. I enjoy your videos!

  7. So I thought Ryukyu was different from Okinawan kenpo. Just from watching different videos on YouTube. I've never had the pleasure of studying them. BTW love your videos

  8. 1429 ~ 1879. The name of the ancient Okinawa was "Ryukyu琉球" (the name set by the Chinese emperor. It is also the name of the historical record). It is one of the territories of the Chinese regime. In ancient Ryukyu King琉球國王 , officials and nobles were Han people and descendants from Fujian 福建, China (elite sent by the Chinese emperor). They lived in the local Chinese palace. Chinese culture and Chinese characters naturally appeared in the local area. Ryukyu Civilians are local indigenous people. They may be Southeast Asian races.

    1609. The Chinese palace of "Ryukyu琉球" was occupied by the "indigenous people". China lost local actual sovereignty. After officially merged Japan日本 in 1879, "Ryukyu琉球" was renamed Okinawa沖繩.

  9. Shigeru Nakamura is one of the lesser-known Okinawan Masters, It's good to see him being referenced outside of normal Okanawan Kenpo Circles.

  10. Wonder how long your visa was between 6 months and 2 years. Wonder what would have happened if you applied for a zen temple to accept you for your stay and teach english, you cannot comprehend culture or martial arts without spirituality, just watching Alan Watts will not do the trick. Actually i was rather expecting people in black monk clothes kickin the shit out of you, when i read Kenpo.but there seems to be some hidden difference to Shorinji Kempo.

  11. The kenpo class reminded me so much of how I have trained here in the US. Sometimes it feels that we deviate very far from our roots in Okinawa, but this was somewhat warming and comforting to see.

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