Hohan Sōken

Hohan Sōken (祖堅 方範, Soken Hōhan) was an Okinawan martial arts master who founded the Shōrin-ryū Matsumura Seito Okinawa Karate Kobudo Association.[1]

Hohan Sōken
Historical photo of Hohan Sōken
Born(1889-05-25)May 25, 1889
Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
DiedNovember 30, 1982(1982-11-30) (aged 93)
Okinawa, Japan
StyleShōrin-ryū
Teacher(s)Nabe Matsumura
Notable studentsRoy Suenaka, Chokei Kishaba, Nishihira Kosei

Biography

He was born May 25, 1889[2][3] (although at least one text puts his birth year as 1891[1]) in Nishihara, Okinawa.

He was the nephew of Nabe Matsumura (who was the grandson of Matsumura Sōkon). He began karate training at 13 under his uncle. Matsumura taught him several kata, including Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Passai Sho, Passai Dai, Chinto, Kusanku, Gojushiho, Sesan, Rohai Jo, Rohai Chu, Rohai Ge, and finally at age 23, Hakutsuru.[4] Soken has said in interviews that Kusanku is the most important kata to the style.[3]

In 1924, Sōken emigrated to Argentina. While in Argentina, he worked as a photographer and clothes cleaner. He also taught karate to Japanese and Okinawan ex-pats in Buenos Aires.[3] In 1952, he returned to Okinawa and started to teach karate, first to family members. Then he opened a small dojo to the public.[3] At first, he called the style "Matsumura Shuri-te." But in 1956, changed the name to Matsumura Seito Shōrin-ryū karate.[3][4]

Hohan Sōken died on November 30, 1982 in Nishihara, Okinawa.

Students

His retirement students from Okinawa were Seiki Arakaki, Kohana Nakazato, Inoue, Masaya Kyan, Nishihira Kosei, Yuichi Kuda, Fusei Kise, Takaya Yabiku,[1] James H. Coffman, Ted Lange, Rick Rose, Charles Garrett, David Ponder, Mark Watson, and Evan Wilson.

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References
  1. Hokama, Tetsuhiro (2005). 100 Masters of Okinawan Karate. Okinawa: Ozata Print. pp. 42–43.
  2. "www.usadojo.com: Biography - Soken Hohan". Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  3. Estrada, Ernie (September 10, 1978), Interview with Hohan Soken: One of the Last Great Old Time Karate Warriors, retrieved December 30, 2010
  4. Bishop, Mark (1989). Okinawan Karate. pp. 57–59. ISBN 0-7136-5666-2.
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