An international group of martial artists converged in Naha on 25 October 2025 to drink in the sights, practice martial arts, enjoy Ryuku Awamori, breathe in island life, and experience International Karate Day. The group, led by Colin Wee were intending to trace the steps taken by karate pioneers Itosu Anko and his mentor Matsumura Sokon. See Colin’s related article that foreshadows the tour How Jion Reshaped my Training and Led me to Anko Itosu.
It was amazing to have a group of high-level martial artists trusting me to plan this tour – taking a leap of faith purely based on my work on Okinawa and its history. While I planned the trip to have breadth and depth, to get this incredible commendation from Shihan Leonard was very gratifying! Thank you, Leonard! A 5-star review is always amazing, but more so impressive considering this trip was the first tour I’ve ever organised.
Have you planned a martial arts tour before? I would love to hear your experiences.
This clip was filmed during my official induction into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame, an event delayed from 2020 until borders were reopened. Western Australia had been fortunate during that period; while the world was locked in, life continued with relative freedom, and I had the luxury of continuing my preparations for the demonstration and seminar portion of the AMAHOF weekend.
Many who watched my demo later shared with me they were expecting aerial kicks and acrobatics, the spectacle people associate with Taekwondo. What they saw instead was something far more traditional, and far more reflective of the work my school had been immersed in for years.
What do you expect from a martial arts seminar?
Jion Bamboo Forest Colin Wee 2023
My usual explanation is I wanted to share traditional applications, or perhaps I was demonstrating whatever my school happened to be practising at the time. The truth was that I’d been deep in the rabbit hole for many years leading up to this point. In the late 2010s I pulled my school into an intense, single‑kata focus. When COVID shut the world down, and when we realised how much insight that deep dive had produced, we finally gave in to the idea that had been circling around for years: this needs to become a book.
Motivated by our phenomenal progress, I switched tracks and plunged into the next kata Jion. Supporting me was the last remaining black belt at JDK. While I could say COVID decimated my school, the reality was that training one kata day‑in, day‑out was not for everyone.
How do you ‘find’ bunkai?
Our process is demanding. When we explore a kata or a combative system, we deconstruct every facet of it. We break it apart, test it against a non‑compliant opponent, rebuild it, and repeat. By the time this video was filmed, we had spent nearly three intense years taking Jion on a wild ride. And then we reached an event horizon: when we took stock of Jion, we were shocked to find at a high level it was nothing like Bassai. For those who don’t already know, Bassai was the kata that formed the backbone of my first book, Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata.
The Jion seminar at AMAHOF 2022 was when we were standing at the cusp of embarking on an amazing journey back into the beginnings of hard style martial arts.
How do you start writing a Martial Arts Book?
That realisation forced us into frenzied research. Pulling on Jion’s threads was what led to unexpected discoveries about the pioneers of our martial art. One insight led to another, and before long an entire historical tapestry fell into view. It was then I knew I owed it to the world to begin work on Anko: The Lost Scrolls of Ryukyu.
I was apprehensive not quite believing I had the chops to adequately deliver the story. It was an epic beginning with the Japanese subjugation of Ryukyu in the 19th century, and culminating with beleaguered ex-bureaucrats attempting to preserve their culture by developing karate as a training program for the century ahead.
Acquiring Soft Power in Martial Arts
If you watch the demonstration, you can see my search for precursor know-how had influenced my own practice. My abilities were clearly shifting, though it wasn’t a deliberate move on my part to emulate the Ryukyuans. My research had led me to postulate their goals, and that required the retrofit of hard‑style and soft‑style skills back into kata and application work.
From 0:02–0:08, you can see me working through an application to bypass the tangle of arms – while my partner was deliberately offering active resistance. I remember noticing the difficulty as I narrated; eventually I had to trust my senses to take over, read his movement, bypass the resistance and displace his structure for the takedown.
What this is is me dealing directly with my opponent. I’m not “demonstrating” Jion nor trying to prove how closely my skills resemble its sequences. Yes, I’ve worked with Jion’s technical sequences. I’ve also varied them endlessly. And when the adversary opposes them, I naturally circumvent and bypass the obstruction instinctively. The read of the situation and response to the unscripted, dynamic attack come easily – because that is what the training helps you do. Jion informs the initiative, it does not limit it.
Likewise, I could have written another non-fiction book laying out a sequence of historical facts. I could have stuck rigidly to historical cannon, the way many insist application bunkai must resemble the kata. But would that do justice to the story though? Or is it more meaningful to feel their journey, like the way I’m now pushing past hard-style training into soft-style tactics.
That, I believe, is the truth martial artists actually want.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
Waneroo, Perth, 2 Dec 2024. Kyoshi Peter Hunt hosted a session to explore concepts in the book Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata. In that seminar, we looked at the underlying thought process which led to the publication which we referred to as “The JDK Method.”
Guest Contributor Shihan Leonard Montagnana participated in the Wanneroo event, and we’re excited to share his report on AJJJCBFI’s Academy News Summer 2025 Edition #95 below.
The JDK Method is a distillation of two decades of work to answer the question “What is Bunkai?” It firstly considers the vagaries of preemption. Under duress, practitioners are hard pressed to read the combative landscape and accurately predict what is happening.
The other questions that may be asked are “What attack is coming my way?” or “Is it a left or right handed strike?” For this, we advocate for techniques to be used as multitools. Ideally, your one technique should apply to a left side attack, as does to a right side attack. Secondly, we assume failure of technique. The opponent is there to oppose you. Thus, it is to your advantage to prepare for that opposition. If resistance could shut down your tactic at any point, train for workarounds, and draw freely from your library of skills.
If you bunkai to you is simply one solution to one problem, you may need to revisit your training pedagogy. What is the end goal your training is leading you towards? Is it choreography? Or is it to acquire fight IQ?
The Breaking Through book eventually leads to the work on my historical fiction manuscript. For those practitioners who think a novel is beneath them, that operative word ‘fiction’ is there only so I may pick apart the facts from the truths. Stick with me, it’s going to be a compelling ride!
📖 Flip through Breaking Through here and then get your free Book Club Kit
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
During AKATO’s 50th Anniversary weekend in Dallas (March 2026), I taught a session that allowed me to share the research shaping Anko: The Lost Scrolls of Ryukyu. Much of my work over the past few years has involved reconstructing how Ryukyuan retainers combined hard‑style initiative with soft‑style internal mechanics, a blend that’s rarely seen in modern training.
The demonstration opened with an application drawn from Nam Seo Hyung: closing distance, prompting reaction, and using circular movement to create openings along the centreline. From there, the sequence branched into two close‑quarter variations inspired by Jion, each exploring a different way to manage the opponent’s structure: either through limb control or through neck manipulation, and balance disruption.
What is the difference between hard-style v soft-style martial arts?
For many practitioners in the room, this was unfamiliar territory. Hard‑style systems often emphasise direct power, while soft‑style methods rely on timing, whole‑body coordination, and subtle changes in pressure. Bringing these ideas together and showing how Ryukyuan retainers may have used them in real conflict, created some dramatic moments. With very little visible movement, my training partner’s balance was broken and his momentum carried him across the floor. In another variation, a circular pulse around the neck opened the way for a controlled takedown and a simulated weapons check.
What I hoped to share wasn’t a highlight reel of ‘lethal’ techniques, but a window into the research process: how historical context, body mechanics, and cross‑style exploration can reshape our understanding of a fighting system. Ryukyu’s retainers were small in stature, but they relied on efficiency, teamwork, and a fusion of ideas to maintain advantage in asymmetrical situations. That blend continues to fascinate me, and it’s a core part of the world behind Anko: The Lost Scrolls of Ryukyu.
If you’d like to see a portion of the Dallas session, the video is available at:
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
Perth, Western Australia, May 2025: Editor David Moore and myself are videoed talking about our project The Lost Scrolls of Ryukyu. This project is inspired by true events which start with the annexation of Ryukyu in the 19th century, and leads us to then track the lives of a few martial art masters affected by the cultural subjugation.
If you’ve read Breaking Through, you’d probably see the throughline. The Lost Scrolls is me adamant once more to follow the breadcrumbs back in time. Breaking Through had done its job looking at what was bequethed us, but it stopped way short of looking at the lived experiences of the architects of our martial arts.
As I gained an appreciation for the enormity of this story, I never felt more compelled to finish what my first book had started.
I’d love to hear what you think. Would you expect a historical fiction novel to teach you anything about martial arts? Would you be interested to read about the pioneers of your martial arts set in a fictionalized story? If you’re on Goodreads, drop a question there.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
Etiquette plays a crucial role in shaping the mindset and environment that support effective martial training, including mental visualization.
Following etiquette helps you enter the training hall with intention. Bowing at the door becomes a physical and mental ritual to set aside daily concerns and step into a focused, reverential space. This ritual marks the transition from the outside world to the practice floor, preparing you to be present and ready.
Etiquette builds respect and discipline. When you treat the training floor, your instructors, and your training partners with consideration, you contribute to an atmosphere that encourages growth, learning, and mutual support.
ITF Tul Tour 2018, 63rd Anniversary of Taekwon-Do Proclamation, One First Monument, Jeju Island, South Korea.
Just as importantly, etiquette establishes safety and trust. When everyone follows the same framework, you can train without distraction, knowing the environment is safe and predictable.
These rituals also help you shift smoothly between phases of training. Bowing to a partner or observing prescribed forms primes your mind to absorb instruction, respond to feedback, and engage with clarity.
Etiquette works hand‑in‑hand with mental visualization training. By rehearsing techniques with both your body and in your mind, you strengthen the neural pathways that support muscle memory, improve focus, and sharpen tactical awareness. Mental visualization let’s you bring the best parts of your yourself with you wherever you go.
Etiquette is not meant to make you uncomfortable or change who you are. Don’t let the guidelines discourage you. Learn them for the lessons they teach, they exist to help you train with intention, respect, safety, and clarity.
General Etiquette Guidelines
Arrive early to warm up before class; inform your instructor in advance if you can’t come, disclose any pertinent issues to your instructor which might affect your performance or safety whilst practicing.
Review material from previous classes.
Wear a clean and presentable uniform.
Ensure your feet are clean.
Practice personal hygiene.
Prioritize safety by using controlled techniques, seeking collaborative exchanges with training partners, keeping your fingernails trimmed short, removing jewelry, regularly exercising for strength and flexibility, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated.
Avoid attendance if you are unwell; do not spread your illness to fellow practitioners.
Etiquette of Greeting Seniors
Upon entering the training hall, seek to first greet bow the highest-ranking instructor present, where possible. Then bow to each other instructor in descending order of rank. When approaching instructors, use formal greetings like their official organizational title, or the appropriate title for their specific martial art lineage (Sahbumnim for Korean arts, Sensei for Japanese arts, and Sifu for Chinese arts). When an instructor addresses you, respond promptly with “sir” or “ma’am,” avoiding informal language. If you don’t know the instructor’s name, use “Sir” or “Ma’am” until you can properly greet them by name.
Bowing Etiquette
Bowing is a form of greeting and respect, similar to a handshake. The angle and duration of a bow vary depending on the situation. The general bow is a 30-degree forward bow from the waist, lasting about 3 seconds. During the bow, men keep their hands flat on their sides, while women may place their palms on the front of their thighs. Avoid nodding your head and keep your eyes slightly lowered toward the angle of the bow. . If someone from a different culture bows to you in acknowledgment or greeting, it’s customary to return the bow. This may lead to a series of bows, depending on the situation. A 5-degree bow is a simple greeting or acknowledgement, 15 degrees is a common salutation, 30 degrees is a respectful bow to show appreciation, and 45 degrees signifies deep respect, extreme gratitude, or an apology.
Entering the Training Area
Before stepping onto the mat, place your footwear facing outward and off the mat. Bow before stepping onto the mat.
Starting Regular Class
After regular class starts, it is important to follow the instructions and commands given by the instructor. When the instructor signals the start of class, all students should immediately stop what they are doing and move into a standing formation based on seniority. The highest ranking student will give the commands for a standing bow, as prompted by the instructor.
Starting Formal Class
During formal class, the instructor will clap his hands to gather the attention of all students. At this point, students should stop what they are doing and move into a kneeling formation based on seniority. Assistant instructors or guests will position themselves on the side left edge of the room, facing both the instructor and the students. Students will then wait for the commands to follow a kneeling bow to the flags or kamidana, bow to the instructor, and bow to the assistant instructors.
To kneel properly, make sure there is a fist width between your knees and cross your right toe over your left. Keep your back upright and rest your palms on your thighs. When bowing, hinge from the hip, extend your left hand in front of you, followed by your right hand, forming a diamond shape on the floor. Lower your head to about a hand span above your hands. When sitting back up, pull your right hand up first, followed by your left hand.
Recitation of Tenets or Precepts
During the class, there may be a recitation of precepts or tenets led by the instructor or assistants. Pay attention to these recitations and be aware that different schools may have variations in the specific wording.
On Lateness and Punctuality
If you arrive late to class due to circumstances beyond your control, enter the dojang quietly and wait at the edge of the mat. Wait for an instructor to acknowledge you before bowing in and quietly joining the class. Being punctual is important, as habitual tardiness can disrupt the training environment and is disrespectful to fellow students.
Talking in Class
While in class, it is important to maintain a focused and serious attitude. Avoid extraneous talking, coaching, or commenting on other students’ techniques, unless it is necessary for safety or constructive feedback. If you have observations or difficulties, discuss them in a respectful manner that does not disrupt the class or interrupt the instructor.
On Having Fun
Remember to enjoy yourself during class, but always work with dedication and effort. Follow the instructions given by your instructor and strive to repeat the techniques as demonstrated, without modifying them unless specifically encouraged to do so.
Following Training Instruction
If you have any concerns about the training, do not request special treatment, challenge opponents, argue with the instructor, or compare different instructors. Instead, communicate with your partner about any safety issues or discuss the matter with the instructor when appropriate.
Walking Around a Group
When moving around the training area, be respectful and mindful of others. Choose to cross behind people who are practicing, seated, or waiting for instruction. Never cross between the instructor and the students he is teaching, unless you are physically unable to do so. In that case, apologize and cross while holding your right hand in front of you, palm facing left, and lowering your head.
Begin and End with a Bow
Always begin and end any practice or interaction with a bow. Before engaging in practice with your partner, bow first. When finished, bow to conclude the session. If you are asked to assist the instructor with a demonstration or as a partner during the lesson, approach the instructor, bow, and stand ready for instruction. If the instructor turns away from you, drop to your left knee with your hands folded on your right. When the instructor turns back to you, quickly get up and assume the ready position until told otherwise.
Working Collaboratively
Throughout the class, maintain a respectful attitude towards your fellow students. Treat everyone with courtesy, regardless of their rank or skill level. If you are working with a partner, always show consideration for their safety and well-being. Avoid excessive force or aggressive behavior during training. Remember that martial arts are not about dominating your fellow training partners but about self-improvement and mutual growth.
Leaving the Training Area
If you need to leave the training area during class for any reason, seek permission from an instructor before doing so, explaining the reason for your exit. If you need to use the restroom or take a break, do so in a timely manner, but try to minimize your absence, and do not disrupt the class on your return. If you are injured, please make sure to inform the instructor and communicate if you require medical attention.
End of Class
At the end of the class, the instructor will again gather everyone’s attention. Follow the instructions given by the instructor for the closing formalities. This may include bowing to the flags or shomen or kamidana, bowing to the head instructor, and bowing to the assistant instructors. Pay attention to the specific commands and sequences and follow them accordingly.
After the class is officially dismissed, it is customary to thank the instructor and the assistant instructors for their guidance. You can do this by approaching them, bowing, and expressing your gratitude. It is also a good practice to show respect to your training partners by acknowledging their efforts and thanking them for their cooperation during the class. Additionally, if you are unable to make the following training session, this is a good time to advise your instructor and apologise for the lack of attendance.
When you return home, wash your uniform, air-dry equipment if needed, and revise your material before your next class.
Visiting External Schools or Seminars
The principles and etiquette discussed here may vary slightly depending on the specific martial art style or school you are training in; it is important to ask ahead about the specific rules and customs of any martial arts school you visit and follow them accordingly. This extends to the insignias you use on your uniform, the grade you display, and the fees you might have to pay on the day. It might also be appropriate to bring a small gift or token of appreciation when visiting a school for the first time. Refrain from taking photos or videos until you have sought permission to do so.
By adhering to the guidelines and etiquette of the class, you will contribute to a positive and respectful training environment. Martial arts training is not only about physical techniques but also about developing discipline, respect, and character. Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow both as a martial artist and as an individual.
On Supporting Martial Art Schools
This last one is not advice on etiquette. If you come across a worthy martial art leader who is also an ethical business owner, why not show your appreciation by bringing a friend along with you, drop a positive review on Google (or FaceBook,) or send them Seasons Greetings.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
A trip to JDK USA Schenectady, New York, for a martial arts seminar in January 2024 pushed me outside my comfort zone. It followed a successful seminar and book launch in Dallas the previous year.
New York felt daunting. It was uncharted territory, a stark contrast to the familiarity of Dallas. Yet, it presented an excellent opportunity to strengthen my working relationship with host Master Will Just
Will had connected with me five years prior, and was my demonstration partner in Dallas. He was captivated by training methodology, and the emphasis on extracting practical applications from traditional forms.
When my wife’s work led to a short stint in New York, I reached out and encouraged Will to organize a seminar. The timing wasn’t ideal: as the holidays and harsh winter would decrease attendance and ticket sales. Undeterred by the challenges, Will, fueled by his experience in Dallas, mobilized his network, visited schools he wasn’t connected with, and promoted the event feverishly.
Getting to my martial arts seminar
Traveling from Australia was an adventure itself, and after a week trampling around Manhattan with my wife, I took the three hour train ride up to Schenectady. It was good to see two familiar faces : Will Just, and long time JDK Associate Jeff Palm. Taekwondo Times Editor Jack Berry, whom I had connected with just the week earlier had also traveled up from Manhattan with me.
The seminar focused on unlocking the hidden potential of traditional forms and exploring their practical applications. We emphasized the importance of anticipation, sensitivity to the opponent, and circumventing the opposition. While the material took participants to the edge of their comfort zone, it was good seeing enthusiastic smiles, and the willingness to give things a go.
A highlight was witnessing a visiting Grandmaster seamlessly blend her long-time police experience with the seminar material, demonstrating the inter-relatedness of tactical skill.
Expanding my martial arts network
This journey to Schenectady was far from being just another martial arts seminar. It reaffirmed the value of venturing outside comfort zones, embracing the unexpected, and fostering meaningful connections. Directly inspired by the visit, Will Just moved to establish a new branch of JDK to develop his own martial arts training group.
This is a reminder that growth often lies beyond familiar territory, and that stepping outside our comfort zones can open doors to new possibilities and enrich our lives in profound ways.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
Lithograph taken by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853 of two Ryukyuan Attendants and a stand in for the Regent
新里酒造 Shinzato Shuzo, established in 1846, is the oldest existing awamori dstillery in Okinawa, known for traditional distilling techniques and the quality of its products.
While researching the story of the pioneers of karate, I happened on a claim by Shinzato Shuzo that when Commodore Matthew Perry and his black ships sailed up to Ryūkyū in 1853, there were only three villages on the island that were sanctioned as distillers by the government.
I had long known Perry had “landed two cannons and two companies of U.S. Marines … Along with 50 naval officers and two brass bands” at Naha port, and then marched them over two hours all the way up to Shuri Castle (Clayton, Shotokan’s Secret p77).
Thanks to Dr Clayton I also know a terse stare down occurred, though the Commodore was amendable to the Ryukuan’s reluctant hospitality, happily imbibing the proferred rice wine, and possibly enjoying sweet chinsuko cookies the royal kitchen was famed for. While there, the Commodore decided to stop and capture the moment, taking a lithograph (as seen above). His happy snap includes historical Tode masters, and a stand-in for the Ryukyuan King. Lo and behold, the image also shows a small table with the receptacles likely used to serve the royal awamori.
Discovering there was the chance that the awamori Perry may have enjoyed could have come from the Shinzato Shuzo distillery, I immediately ordered a bottle of their かりゆし Kariyushi Awamori for tasting. As it transpires, the protagonist and his friends as featured in my upcoming historical fiction novel reached for this libation often and in copious amounts.
Zuisen Awamori tasting with some of the participants of the international Martial Arts Cultural Exchange Group, led by Colin Wee. October 2025. L->R Elaine Ogden, Vivica Lamarche, Leonard Montagnana, Peter James, and Colin Wee. Note: Zuisen Distillery was founded in 1887 – just after annexation happened.
What happened during the Ryukyu Annexation?
The book is not comic relief about historic martial artists going on an epic bender. It recreates the incredible challenges which happen after the arrival of the Commodore, where a sequence of events lead to Ryukyu being subjugated by Japan. What ensued then was a real threat to their culture from Japanification, and options to build solidary and protect their identity were extremely limited.
While their life situation might seem foreign and so distant, the more I plunged into my research, the more I became acquainted with them as people. Unexpectedly, a bond developed across time.
This blog post is a Hail Mary move. I’m using it to reach out to Shinzato Shuzo or in fact any organisation that identifies with the Ryukuans desperate situation and their hopes for a better future. There is an opportunity to solidify a presence in this project, to help the publication of their life’s story, and give voice to an era that is too much at risk of simply fading away.
We need to help give a voice back to Ryukyu
Together, with your support, we can honour the lives of those Ryukyuan martial art pioneers, and remind everyone of what they did to help uplift all indivudals who need guidance, training, and were overwhelmed by life and modernization. Also together we can get more people to enjoy awamori.
On the palate, Shinzato Shuzo is fruity and has refreshing drinkability. With aging, sweetness and umami are enhanced, eventually taking on a smooth caramel flavor.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
The Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 was a final stand by the samurai class against the sweeping reforms of the Meiji government. The Meiji Restoration had ushered in modernization, military conscription, and the abolition of the samurai, dismantling the very social order that had defined Japan for centuries. Many samurai saw these reforms as a betrayal of their status, their traditions, and their very way of life.
Yet, despite their resistance, Japan as a whole was focused on a singular goal: preventing colonization by foreign powers. The country’s rapid modernization was not just about modernization and progress. In the face of foreign incursions and political meddling in the region, it was about protecting their sovereignty and ensuring their very survival.
The film The Last Samurai captures this tension through the arc of fictional character Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a tortured military Captain drawn into Japan’s internal struggle. In one pivotal scene, he clashes with Omura, a self-serving Japanese official. Omura, seeking to bolster Japan’s capitalist economy, sought to marginalize the samurai, diminishing their power and eroding their influence in their modernizing world. Algren, repulsed by Omura, would later find himself siding with the samurai and identifying with their ideals.
What happened in the Satsuma Rebellion?
The historical reality was brutal. The samurai’s final stand culminated in The Battle of Shiroyama, where Saigō Takamori, once a leader of the Meiji Restoration himself, chose to die for principle rather than accept the new imperial order. Outmaneuvered and outnumbered, his forces fought until their last breath. Saigō, wounded, committed seppuku on the battlefield, his death marking the end of an era.
“… the Samurai had been swept aside by the very nation they wished to protect.”
—Colin Wee, Excerpt from “The Lost Scrolls of Ryūkyū” (Unpublished Manuscript, 2025)
Many misinterpret The Last Samurai. The film is not about a foreigner becoming Japan’s last warrior. It was a man who chose to stand alongside the samurai, honoring their code, embracing their discipline, and celebrating their life’s purpose.
By the time the Meiji era ended in 1912, Japan had fully transitioned into a modern imperial power. The samurai were gone. The country then rose as a force to be reckoned with in the global arena. But for its annexed territories, such as Okinawa, modernization brought no relief.
My new book project, a historical fiction novel The Lost Scrolls of Ryūkyū follows a small group of Ryukyuan bureaucrats from this era. Soon after the samurai were vanquished, their country was annexed by Japan, Ryukyuan subjects were left distressed, and their hopes for autonomy and self-governance grew ever dimmer.
The Fallout from the Meiji Restoration
Struggling with destitution and cultural whitewashing, my protagonists envisioned the establishment of a new system of Karate, one that could survive the political upheaval around them and improve their cultural security.
As Japan entered the Great War, and as rising militarism took hold of the nation, these men were forced to face a dilemma not unlike the Samurai before them. They had to ask themselves whether they were building a legacy to protect their people, or were they creating a system that would be absorbed into an imperial machine they never intended to serve?
Development of Karate
These questions didn’t end with my protagonist’s proposal to the Japanese Ministries of War and Education. They carried forward into the next generation, following up with the choices he made, the compromises he accepted, and the legacy he tried to protect as Japan moved deeper into an era of uncertainty.
How did Okinawan karate pioneers navigate the years that followed? What happened as karate entered Japanese universities? And what became of the men who believed they were building something that could outlast the storms around them?
If you’re curious to see how this story unfolds: the politics, the philosophy, and the human cost, come spend some time with me on this site or sign up for the occassional newsletter. I’ll be exploring each of these points in this blog.
And if you want to experience the full story as a living, breathing narrative, you can step straight into the world of The Lost Scrolls of Ryukyu.
If you’re interested to learn more about Okinawa, perhaps you’d also care to explore the Occupied Okinawa: A Documentary Film by Robert Kajiwara from Peace for Okinawa Coalition. If you’re interested in Jigen-ryu, the sword style used by the Satsuma, and that which Matsumura gained a Menkyo Kaiden in despite it being a gokui or forbidden secret style, see the following video.
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
In October 2025, I travelled to Okinawa as part of my ongoing research for a historical fiction manuscript that is set in 19th‑century Ryukyu. This new book project follows a group of bureaucrats navigating the political and cultural pressures of the Japanese annexation, and I couldn’t write about that world responsibly without spending time there myself. Even though the work is historical fiction, I wanted to avoid grossly misrepresenting the people, the culture, or the context I was drawing from.
During the trip, I had the opportunity to teach at a Master Instructor Seminar held at Midorigaoka Park in Naha coordinated with Okinawa Karate Day. My session focused on Jion kata bunkai, using applications and tactical logic that tie into themes from the manuscript. The work blended structural mechanics, hard‑ and soft‑style concepts, and principle‑based interpretation. It was a good chance to share ideas in front of expert practitioners who enjoy the roots of these traditions as much as I do.
Finding where Anko Itosu and Matsumura Sokon are buried
One of the moments that has stayed with me wasn’t from the seminar itself, but from a quiet visit I made with our small group to the graves of Matsumura Sōkon and Itosu Ankō (Visit Matsumura Sokon’s grave26°13’28.7″N 127°42’20.4″E Google Map: 6PF4+V7 Naha and Itosu Anko’s grave – 84m SE of Matsumura’s grave, at Makabi. Directions: take monorail to ‘13 Naha City Hospital’, walk 700m Southwest of Station. Address: 3-10 Makabi, Naha City, Okinawa 902-0068, Japan.)
Standing there and speaking about their lives and contributions felt significant in a way that’s hard to articulate. It wasn’t about romanticising the past; it was simply to acknowledge the people whose work shaped so much of what we practise today. That experience grounded the rest of the trip for me.
Being in Okinawa helped me understand the environment, rhythms, and cultural texture I’m trying to represent in the manuscript. It also reminded me that martial arts is always connected to real people, real places, and real histories. That’s something I want to carry forward in both my writing and my teaching.
Author Colin Wee visiting with his protagonist Anko Itosu, Makabi Cemetary, Okinawa Oct 2025
As I prepare for the American Karate and Taekwondo Organization’s 50th anniversary event next March 2026, I’m looking at how to integrate insights from this research, the Jion applications I’ve been finessing, and material that aligns with AKATO’s lineage. My aim is the same as it has always been: to contribute in a way that allows us to understand and celebrate the traditions we’ve inherited.
I’d love to hear what you think. If you’re on Goodreads, drop a question there. Or if you’re an Okinawan business or organisation that identifies with my work 琉球武術支援, I would love to connect with you. What would you like to see in a story that supports the lived experiences of martial art pioneers? What would you expect of these historical characters?
Bio: Colin Wee is a Singaporean author, martial‑arts instructor, and cultural historian whose four‑decade practice spans Asia, Australia, and the United States. Known for his analytical approach and deep tactical insight, Colin blends historical research with lived experience to illuminate the human stories behind martial traditions. He is the founder of Joong Do Kwan in Perth, Western Australia, and serves as Secretary of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame (see About the Author).
