Oni Oshiro (Ryukyu Bugei)

IN THE ERA OF OLD RYUKYU, a legendary warrior of Okinawan martial arts appeared on the center stage of the historical theatre. Due to his unique appearance and powerful physique—reminiscent of a wolf or a tiger—the people of that time called him Oni Oshiro, or "Oshiro the Demon." Also known as Uni Ufugushiku in the Okinawan pronunciation of his name, he had been variously described as the originator of the original Okinawan martial art "Ti" as well as the actual ancestor of a number of famous Okinawan karate masters, such as Mabuni Kenwa and others. This is his narrative. Gleaned from the few primary sources available, which for the first time are presented here in the English language, the original heroic flavor of the source texts was kept intact. "I invoke the Gods, To quake heaven and earth, To let the firmament resound, And to rescue the divine woman—Momoto Fumiagari."