Akamine, Eisuke (1925-1999)

Akamine Eisuke was born in Aza-mura (village), Tomishiro, Okinawa in 1925. After being discharged from the army in 1945 at the age of 20, he returned to his native Okinawa a year later in 1946. By 1949, after settling back into life in Okinawa, Akamine gained his first exposure to Ryukyu Kobudo, the weapons system indigenous to Okinawa, through Higa Seiichiro a former student of Chinen "Yamane" Sanda (1840-1922). From Higa, the young Akamine began to learn the graceful, smooth and powerful tradition of Yamane-ryu Bo-jutsu (the art of the 6 foot staff). Akamine was a dedicated student and stayed under Higa's expert tutelage for the next seven years, until 1956. In addition to his studies under Higa, Akamine also received instruction from other students of Chinen Sanda, including Higa Raisuke, Higa Jinsaburo and Akamine Yohei. From his studies of Yamane-ryu Bo-jutsu, Akamine learned the staff traditions of Sakugawa, Shushi, Yonegawa and Shirotaru.

Published with permission of Mario McKenna of the Okinawa Shinshu Kai: www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Bench/4784/