Ankichi Arakaki

Who was Ankichi Arakaki?

Ankichi Arakaki born in 1899 in Shuri Okinawa became an Okinawan martial arts master who, despite dying at the age of 28 in 1927, is notable for aiding in the evolution of Shōrin-ryū karate. He was extremely important in the education of Shōshin Nagamine, who later went on to found Matsubayashi-ryū karate. He was also the uncle of Ansei Ueshiro, the chief instructor at Shoshin Nagamine's original dojo and creator of Fukyugata Sandan.

Born in November 1899 in the village of Akata, Province of Shuri, Okinawa, he was the eldest of a family of 11 children. His parents were prosperous farmers, so he lived a comfortable childhood. He was quite young when he his training in Karate with Shinpan Gusukuma also known under the name of Shinpan Shiroma, who was her teacher at primary school. One of his teachers at his school was Chomo Hanashiro. Later he became a student of Choshin Chibana, founder of KobayashiShorin-ryu. Having no other worries concerning his training, having great support from his parents, he quickly reached a very high level, and was nicknamed Uwayaguwa Ankichi.

Ankichi became an Okinawan martial arts master. His tsumasaki-geri, which was his specialty, was devastating.