Tegumi
Encyclopedia
Tegumi is a traditional form of wrestling
from Okinawa.
According to Shōshin Nagamine
, in his "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters", there are no accurate historical documents surrounding the origins of grappling
in Okinawa. Like most other forms of wrestling
it seems that tegumi evolved from a primitive form of grappling
self defense, which was constantly being adapted and enhanced as it was exposed to outside influences.
It is believed by some, Shōshin Nagamine-sensei
included, that tegumi was probably the original form of fighting in Okinawa and, as it was enhanced by striking and kicking techniques imported from China
, became the progenitor of Te, which is the foundation of modern karate
.
Known as tegumi in Naha, and mutō in Tomari
and Shuri, Okinawan wrestling remained a popular cultural recreation until the Taishō period
(1912 – 1925). There is little evidence of how tegumi evolved but the result was a rough and tumble bout where the winner was decided by submission
, through joint locks, strangles or pinning
. Today, tegumi has a strict set of rules and is still practiced widely.
Okinawan folklore is full of references to tegumi and it is believed that the island's version of sumo
can find its roots in the rural wrestling of the past.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
from Okinawa.
According to Shōshin Nagamine
Shoshin Nagamine
was a Japanese author, soldier, police officer and karate master.-Early Life and Karate-do:Nagamine was born in Tomari, in Naha City, Okinawa. He was a small and sickly child, and he contracted a gastroenteric disorder in 1926, his second year of high school. He began a self-imposed diet and took...
, in his "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters", there are no accurate historical documents surrounding the origins of grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
in Okinawa. Like most other forms of wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
it seems that tegumi evolved from a primitive form of grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
self defense, which was constantly being adapted and enhanced as it was exposed to outside influences.
It is believed by some, Shōshin Nagamine-sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
included, that tegumi was probably the original form of fighting in Okinawa and, as it was enhanced by striking and kicking techniques imported from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, became the progenitor of Te, which is the foundation of modern karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
.
Known as tegumi in Naha, and mutō in Tomari
Tomari
Tomari is a coastal town in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, located on the western coast of Sakhalin 167 km north-west of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Population: 5,338 ; 8,121 .-History:The town was founded in 1870...
and Shuri, Okinawan wrestling remained a popular cultural recreation until the Taishō period
Taisho period
The , or Taishō era, is a period in the history of Japan dating from July 30, 1912 to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign of the Taishō Emperor. The health of the new emperor was weak, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen to the Diet...
(1912 – 1925). There is little evidence of how tegumi evolved but the result was a rough and tumble bout where the winner was decided by submission
Submission (combat sport term)
A submission is a combat sports term for yielding to the opponent, and hence resulting in an immediate defeat...
, through joint locks, strangles or pinning
Pin (wrestling)
A pinfall, a pin, or a fall is a victory condition in various forms of professional wrestling that is met by holding an opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time...
. Today, tegumi has a strict set of rules and is still practiced widely.
Okinawan folklore is full of references to tegumi and it is believed that the island's version of sumo
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
can find its roots in the rural wrestling of the past.