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Okinawan Samurai: The Instructions of a Royal Official to his Only Son (Ryukyu Bugei - Ancient Martial Arts of the Ryukyu Islands Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

Troubled about the future of his only son and heir, a royal government official of the Ryukyu Kingdom wrote down his ‘Instructions’ as a code of practice for all affairs. Written in flowing, elegant Japanese, he refers to a wide spectrum of artistic accomplishments that the royal government officials were ought to study in those days, such as court etiquette, literature and poetry, music, calligraphy, the tea ceremony and so on. The author, who achieved a remarkable skill level in wielding both the pen and the sword, also informs us about various martial arts practiced in those days. Translated from Japanese for the first time, from centuries-long puzzling seclusion the state of affairs surrounding an 18th century Okinawan samurai vividly resurrects in what is considered ‘Okinawa’s most distinguished literature.’

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About the Author

Other works by Andreas Quast include: - Quast, Andreas: Creation and Creator. In: McCarthy, Patrick: Bubishi – The Classic Manual of Combat. Tuttle Publishing, 2016, S. 67–111. - Quast, Andreas: Martial Artists of Ryukyu – A Legacy by Motobu Choki. Ryukyu Bugei Series 3. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2017. ISBN 978-1542453462. - Quast, Andreas: King Wu Once Buckled On His Armor: The Seven Virtues of Martial Arts. Ryukyu Bugei Series 1. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1512229424. - Quast, Andreas: Oni Oshiro. Ryukyu Bugei Series 2. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Düsseldorf, 2016. ISBN 978-1533486219 - Quast, Andreas: A Stroll Along Ryukyu Martial Arts History. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2015. ISBN 978-1512229424 - Hermansson Leif, Andreas Quast: Okinawa Kobudo – Volume I. WTMAS Technical Curriculum. From 6th Kyu to 4th Kyu. Andreas Quast, Düsseldorf 2013. 15x23cm. 376 S. ISBN 978-1-304-41214-0. - Hermansson Leif, Andreas Quast: Okinawa Kobudo – Volume II. WTMAS Technical Curriculum. From 3rd Kyu to 1st Dan. Andreas Quast, Düsseldorf 2013. 451 S. 15x23cm. ISBN 978-1-291-55451-9. - Quast, Andreas: Bibliography of Japanese Karate and Kobudo Literature. From the First Karatebook to the 21st Century – More Than Six-hundred Most Important Sources. Self published, 2013. 184 pp. ISBN 978-1-300-74937-0. - Quast, Andreas: Einträge zu Karate und Kobudo im Bugei Ryuha Daijiten 1978. Self published, 2013. 87 pp. ISBN 978-1-291-32203-3. - Quast, Andreas: Karate 1.0: Parameter of an Ancient Martial Art. Andreas Quast, Düsseldorf 2013. - Quast, Andreas: Taira Shinken – Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan. Übersetzung des 1964er Originals. Limitierte Auflage (100 Stück), Selbstverlag, Düsseldorf, 2007. - Quast, Andreas und Katherine Loukopoulos: Eine Einführung in Ryukyu Kobudo. Mit Geleitwort von Fritz Nöpel. Selbstverlag 2004. 284 S. limitierte Auflage (100 Stück). - Quast, Andreas: Die illustrierte Geschichte der Kampfkunst. Selbstverlag 2001. 347 S. Limitierte Auflage (100 Stück). - Quast, Andreas: Der verwirrte Adept. Quellen zum Ryukyu Kobudo. Einschließlich einer Liste von über 200 japanischen Monografien zum Karate und Ryukyu Kobudo. Düsseldorf, September 2005. 49 S. - Quast, Andreas: Jiu-Jitsu. Neuauflage des Originals von H. Irving Hancock, in der deutschen Übersetzung von Max Pannwitz ca. 1906. Selbstverlag 2000. 330 S. Limitierte Auflage (100 Stück).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0847Q7WZP
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 743 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 197 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Andreas Quast
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Andreas Quast is a prolific author renowned for his extensive work in martial arts literature. His notable publications include "Karate 1.0" (2013), "A Stroll Along Ryukyu Martial Arts History" (2015), "King Wu Once Buckled on His Armor" (2016), "Okinawan Samurai" (2018), and the translated classic "My Art and Skill of Karate" (2020) by Motobu Choki, and "Bo" (2024).

Quast’s journey into martial arts began with a profound study and practice trip to Japan in 1999, culminating in nearly two years of immersive experience in Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, from 2010 to 2012. His dedication has earned him prestigious awards from the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society and the Ryukyu no Kaze Society, along with numerous certifications in Jiu-jitsu, Karate, Ryukyu Kobudo, Mugai-ryu Iaido, and Hachiman-ryu Battojutsu. His insights were also featured in the 2016 edition of "Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat" by the acclaimed Patrick McCarthy.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, Quast holds a diverse array of qualifications and experiences. He is a certified skilled mechanic (ICC), a state-certified engineer in mechanical engineering, a health and safety officer, and a technical writer (tekom). His eclectic career has seen him excel as a heavy-duty welder, paraglider, bartender, florist, SAP coordinator, antiquarian bookseller, guitarist, football player, author, and publisher.

Quast’s passion for uncovering the hidden gems of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo has taken him to archives worldwide, where he diligently researches and publishes his findings for an exclusive international audience. Born in 1966, he currently resides in Germany, where he continues to train and work as a technical writer, contributing to international documentation projects in special machinery, automation, and medical devices. His life and work are a testament to the unending pursuit of knowledge and mastery in both martial arts and technical fields.

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  • robert welch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly, readable addition to the study of Early Modern Okinawa.
    Reviewed in the United States on 14 May 2018
    This book is a valuable addition to the regrettably sparse collection of works related to the Ryukyu Kingdom during the Tokugawa period. The main document in this study is a letter from a court official to his son describing the virtues that a good samurai should demonstrate. This text has been translated from Classical Japanese and rendered quite clearly into English.

    Quast's analysis, which makes up the remaining two thirds of this work, are where the transition from mere scholarship to new research occurs. Using direct examples from the text, as well as references to contemporary documents, the author demonstrates how the Samurai fit into the complex group of courtiers surrounding the Okinawan king. Quast also deacribes the role of palace officials in the labyrinthine relations between Okinawa and its Satsuma overlords in regards to the trade relation of the Ryukyu kingdom and China.

    The author writes from the viewpoint of a karate practitioner, and therefore also describes the role unarmed combat may have played in the lives of Okinawan officials. A sharp distinction is drawn between imported Satsuma fighting schools and what may be references to a karate like fighting system referred to as Karamuto.

    Overall this is a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in the social and institutional history of the Ryukyu archipelago in the period before the opening of Japan in the 19th Century. Mr. Quast has produced a work that is not just readable, but in fact enjoyable, and suited to both specialists and non-specialists. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.
  • Kindle-Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Einblicke in den Dienst der damaligen Zeit
    Reviewed in Germany on 3 July 2018
    Was war den Beamten des Königreiches Ryukyu wichtig? Wie sollte eine zielgerichtete Erziehung und Ausbildung für den Dienst im Königreich gestaltet sein? Welche Schwerpunkte sollte man setzen? Welche Literatur ist empfehlenswert? Wie sollte man sich benehmen? ...

    Hintergründe und Ratschläge an die nachfolgende Generation, aus der Zeit des Königreiches Ryukyu, wurden für dieses Buch ins Englische übersetzt und kommentiert. Empfehlenswert für Kampfkünstler (mit Okinawa-Bezug, Karate, Kobudo, ...) mit geschichtlichem Interesse.
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  • Alex
    5.0 out of 5 stars 👍👍👍👍👍👍
    Reviewed in Germany on 15 November 2020
    👍Great book📖👍
  • Itzik
    5.0 out of 5 stars For those who love Karate and interested to further dig into Karate history ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 June 2018
    Mr. Andreas Quastʼs revives Ryukyu Martial Art history for us. “Okinawan Samurai” is a unique meticulous work. The detailed information is evident and familiar to us from previous works of Andreas Quest. The author takes us to a guided tour among the districts of Naha and its bureaus, and gives us a tangible experience. For those who love Karate and interested to further dig into Karate history from both informative and daily being point of views, it is an important book. Mr.Quast brings us the opportunity to feel the environmental reality in Naha before the Local-di received its present name (“Karate”) and form. Personality, from my point of views as karate lover and as a karate researcher, I consider this precious work invaluable. It is most interesting worthy book. Highly recommended!

    Itzik Cohen Teishinkan – Okinawan Martial Arts
    Ryukyu Martial Arts Research 琉球武道研究.
  • JOHN CARLYLE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book on traditional Okinawan life from a past era ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 June 2018
    Another great book on traditional Okinawan life from a past era from Andreas Quast. I have never regretted buying a single one of his tomes, of which I have them all. Andreas is a researcher who double checks and rechecks his work before releasing it. A very astute and reliable person, luckily for us, interested in Okinawan culture.

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