Karate and Nuclear War

The following is adapted from the book “ True Karate Dō” by Jeffrey Brooks:

Shoshin Nagamine, founder of Matsubayashi Ryu, was a Police Chief and an Okinawan political official for much of his life. 

He was also recognized for his spiritual achievements. In his speech “Karate and World Peace” he reflected on the unique spiritual heritage of Okinawan culture, as embodied in karate, and its role in the recovery following World War II.

In December 1996, Nagamine Shoshin traveled to Hawaii to receive acknowledgment of his Zen realization – Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (Karate and Zen as One) – from the Archbishop of Daihonzan Chozen-ji, the 84th Dharma Successor of Rinzai Zen.

The quotes below, in bold, are from the speech he gave at the testimonial dinner in his honor, in recognition of his commitment to world peace through the way of karate.

He said: 

“There is a Ryukyu chant which reads: ‘In a world full of conflict and strife, do not cry over the condition of the world, your life is the treasure.’” 

He explained that Okinawan martial philosophy was not bushido, which in its 20^th century militarist iteration, devalued life. On the contrary, he said, the Okinawan martial ideal is devoted to life.

Shoshin Nagamine lived through the “Typhoon of Steel”, the months-long Battle of Okinawa fought between the Allies and Japan in 1945, during which a third of the people of Okinawa and many others, hundreds of thousands, were killed. 

Those Okinawans who remained alive were impoverished, overwhelmed by shock and grief.

Shoshin Nagamine’s revival of karate, and its unique spirit and philosophy, helped restore the health, hope and dignity of the people in the years following the war.

In the historical perspective, a key factor of a nation being able to enjoy a healthy growth has been to maintain culture in one hand and martial arts in the other hand. That is, maintaining both of the above was critical in governing a nation. – Shoshin Nagamine

Shoshin Nagamine is referring to “Bun Bu Ryo Do” – “the way of both civil culture and martial skill.”  For a leader – as for every responsible adult – the capacity for both civic virtue and martial skill, and the knowledge of when to apply them – is indispensable.

Bun Bu – shodo by Sakiyama Sogen,

Zen teacher of Nagamine Shoshin and the author

As a karate practitioner, career law enforcement officer, government official and noted community leader, Shoshin Nagamine lived this ethos. 

The judicious use of force employed to protect innocent people, to maintain social order and justice, requires that we cultivate the martial and the civil in our own lives.

I truly hope that the people in the world would change their mind-set of aggression and first-strike to a philosophy of karate ni sente nashi. It is only through this philosophy that world peace will be achieved.

– Shoshin Nagamine

Literally translated “Karate ni sente nashi” says “Fists that do not strike first” or “Not hitting first”. A deeper extension of the translation is “the fists that give life”, According to a note by translator Hideyuki Takahashi.

Karate Ni Sente Nashi

Shoshin Nagamine saw firsthand the misery that results from arrogance and aggression. Instead of glory and triumph it brought degradation and death, which like an oil slick on the sea, spread and poisoned everything it touched.

He devoted his life and his vision to restoring the happiness of his people. 

He helped to create a peaceful renewed society which, by the 1950s and 60s, was rising from the ashes of the Second World War. 

As a reminder: the Second World War was in part a nuclear war. But not like the nuclear war being contemplated by important people today. Then, in the 1940s, there were only a few, primitive nukes, and they were available only to one side.

In his talk “Karate and World Peace” Shoshin Nagamine reflected on the resilience of the Okinawan people under centuries of oppression following the Satsuma invasion in 1609 – a shocking change for them, after centuries of close, peaceful relations with imperial China. But as he explained this historical example he was not dreaming of battles of long ago. He was well aware that the fight for freedom continues:

I would like to emphasize here that Ryukyu people’s resistance with respect to the issue of scaling down the size of United States armed forces in Okinawa is a good example of exercising the supreme right destined to Ryukyu people from the Heavens. The people of Okinawa would never be pushed back even if governing people try to force the issue. In the end, the resolve of the people will surface and press the governments of Japan and the United States into a corner by forcing a popular vote by the people. I have to say that both governments should be fully aware of this. People will not be fooled by a short-term political solution.

Near the end of his life Nagamine Shoshin was honored with the title “Japanese Living Treasure”, in recognition of his achievements. 

His conviction that the will of the people will not be permanently suppressed has implications beyond Okinawa. 

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Post Copyright © 2023 by Jeffrey Brooks, Mountain Karate, Yamabayashi Ryu, Saluda, NC USA

Drawing of Nagamine Shoshin copyright © 2004 by Tarleton Brooks

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read True Karate Dō

“One of the best books I’ve read in years, inviting and compelling. Jeff Brooks moves effortlessly from martial arts to Buddhism to consciousness studies, self-transformation, and related fields in this wide-ranging and Illuminating study that has much to offer both novice explorers and veteran practitioners. A splendid achievement.” 

— Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series

— Co-author, The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams.  

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