Shiroma-ha Moidi Motoburyu– traditional empty hand and weapons art from old Ryukyu (Okinawa) taught today by Tamaki Tatsuya shihan (7th dan). This art comes down from the Motobu clan, an aristocratic family in the old Shuri dynasty, and is regarded as descended from the royal family self defence system. Motobu-ryu was taught by Motobu Choyu to Uehara Seikichi who in turn taught Shiroma Seihan who taught Yagi Isao and Tamaki Tatsuya. Yagi sensei passed away in 2024.

Motobu-Ryu (本部流) has the characteristics of koryu (old style) karate, the martial art known as te or todi, which predates the birth of modern karate, and emphasizes kumite rather than kata.

Motobu Udundī (本部御殿手) also sometimes called Motobu-Ryu, Motobu Kempo is the martial art of the Motobu family, a branch of the Ryukyu royal family.. Motobu Udundi is a comprehensive martial art that includes not only karate, but also a jujutsu-like technique called tuite and many weapons arts. Motobu Chosei is the inheritor of both Motobu-Ryu (his father’s art) and Motobu Udundi (the art of his uncle, Motobu Choyu).

Motobu Udundi is a martial art passed down from the Motobu family, a branch of the Ryukyu royal family.

Known from Motobu Udun sensei during the Ryukyu Kingdom. Di (literally meaning “hand”) means martial arts in the Okinawan dialect. Thus, Motobu Udundi means martial arts of the royal Motobu family.

Motobu Choyu (1865 – 1928), the 12th head of the Motobu family, inherited this martial art from his father, Choshin, but at the age of 14 the Ryukyu Kingdom fell. He had three sons, but the downfall of the family combined with the emigration of his sons to mainland Japan made the succession of Motobu Udundi difficult.

Choyu decided to teach Motobu Udundi to his student Uehara Seikichi sensei, and asked Uehara sensei to teach this martial art to his second son Chomo, who lived in Wakayama. Uehara sensei taught Chomo this martial art and then emigrated to the Philippines. Chomo, who inherited Motobu Udundi, died in Osaka in 1945 as a result of an air raid.

Upon his return from the Philippines, Uehara learned of Chomo’s death and searched for a new member of the Motobu family to succeed Motobu Udundī, but was unable to find one. In 1976, he met Motobu Choki’s son Chosei for the first time and asked him to succeed Motobu Udundi. Chosei accepted the offer and studied under Uehara, and in 2003 Motobu Chosei sensei officially succeeded Motobu Udundī as the Soke.

Kata

Motobu Udundi has two kata of Shuri sanchin called motode (mutudi in Okinawan dialect, meaning “basic hand”) or motode sanchin. The motode ichi is performed with open hands, and the motode ni is performed with fists. There are also three kata called kasshindi (meaning “battle hand”), created by Uehara Seikichi. Motode Ichi; Motode Ni; Kasshindi San; Kasshindi Yon; Kasshindi Go

Kumite

Since the modification of Anko Itosu sensei, the thrusting techniques of karate have changed from nukite (spear hand) thrusting with the fingertips to fists. However, in Motobu Udundi, nukite is still common and retains the characteristics of the old style. Kicking techniques also differ from general Okinawan karate in that there are high kicking techniques. There is a high kicking technique called bo geri (bo jiri in the Okinawan dialect, literally stick kick).

Motobu Udundi does not use common karate blocking techniques such as age uke (high block), chudan uke (middle block), and gedan barai (low block). Instead, the techniques are either used to dodge an opponent’s attack with tai sabaki or tsuki uke (punch block), which is both a defense and an attack at the same time.

Tuite (seizing hands)

In Okinawa, jujutsu techniques such as joint locking and throwing techniques are called tuite (torite in Japanese). The name tuite (torite) is mentioned in the 10 precepts of Anko Itosu sensei, a technique that was forgotten in Okinawa in the early 20th century.

Weapons

Because the Motobu family was Ryukyu royalty, Motobu Udundi uses swords, spears, and naginata in addition to the weapons (farming and fishing tools) commonly used in Okinawan kobudo.

Tachi (sword); Tanto (short sword); Yari (spear); Naginata (pole sword); Bo (6 ft staff); Jo (3 ft staff); Tanbo (short staff); Torisashi Bo (stick for catching birds); Ueku (oar); Sai; Nunchaku; Tonfā; Kama (sickle); Hoki (broom)

Shiroma Seihan Soke, a direct student of Seikichi Uehara Soke since the age of 27 years old, received all the Motobu-Ryu Udundi information and knowledge about Motobu Ryu Kyu Kobujutsu and called his school Motobu Ryukyu Kobujutsu Moidi.