The
mysterious Koshokun of a Chinese envoy settled in Okinawa for
some time. His most famous student was Satunuku "Tode"
Sakugawa (1733-1815). It is believed Sakugawa became a student
of Koshokun in 1756. Sakugawa was a student of Takahara Peichin
(1683-1760) (Peichin is a title of status) until the arrival of
Koshokun in Okinawa. At that time Sakugawa was granted permission
from Takahara Peichin to train under Koshokun.
Sakagawa traveled to China with Koshokun to study
Kempo. He returned to Okinawa in 1762 to introduce this fighting
method. Before long Sakugawa was considered an expert in the Chinese
hand fighting method. It is said that Sakugawa was awarded the
title of Satonushi for his services to the Okinawa King.
Sakugawa soon started to teach the Chinese hand
in Okinawa. Combining what both his teachers had taught him, he
structured a training system. This made him the first Okinawan
teacher of Tode. Many of his students rose to greatness. Among
them were Chokun Satunku Makabe, Satunuku Ukuda, Ch. Matsumoto,
Kojo, Yamaguchi ("Bushi" Sakumoto), Unsume, and
Sokon
”Bushi” Matsumura.
