In October 2025, I travelled to Okinawa as part of my ongoing research for a historical fiction manuscript set in 19th‑century Ryukyu. My book project follows a group of bureaucrats navigating the political and cultural pressures of the Japanese annexation, and I knew I couldn’t write about that world responsibly without spending time there myself. Even though the book 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.
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. 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.
As I prepare for the American Karate and Taekwondo Organization’s 50th anniversary event next March, 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 share what I can, as clearly and respectfully as possible, and to contribute in a way that allows us to celebrate the traditions we’ve inherited.
I’d love to hear what you think. Better yet, if you’re on Goodreads, drop a question there. What would you want to see in a historical fiction story about martial arts? What kind of character would speak to you?
—Colin Wee