Okinawan Tribal Warriors
Ryukyu Indigenous Guards
Indigenous defenders of the Ryukyu Kingdom who developed the native unarmed art Ti (Te).
Quick Facts
Date of BirthAntiquity
EraAntiquity–17th century
Country of Origin
Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom)
Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom)Rank / TitleTi / Te Traditional Heritage
Active Years1300–1600
Biography
Native Ryukyu warriors created Ti (Te), the indigenous ancestor of Karate. Following King Sho Shin's weapon bans, local defenders perfected open-hand strikes and joint locks.
Associated Martial Arts
Okinawan Ti (Okinawa-te)Origin community→
Original ancient unarmed martial art of Okinawan nobility, direct ancestor of Karate.
Tegumi (Okinawan Wrestling)Origin community→Okinawan folk wrestling without strikes, today all but extinct. Funakoshi devoted a chapter to it — as a boy he practised it as often as karate.