Intangible Cultural Asset Holder | Original Okinawan Karate

Designated Authentic

Background and Cultural Significance

The designation is made according to Okinawa Prefectural Cultural Property Protection Ordinance.

Intangible Cultural Properties consist of human "technical artistry", embodied by individuals who represent the highest mastery of the techniques concerned.

In order to preserve and pass on traditional karate techniques, which are an outstanding cultural heritage, Okinawa Prefecture designates prefectural holders of intangible cultural assets for "Okinawa Karate and Kobujutsu".

So far, a total of 20 people have been designated as Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property Holders: 3 in 1997, 6 in 2000, 5 in 2013, and 6 in 2020.

The full list pictured on the right is included below.

Okinawa Karate Kaikan

On display at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan
Prefectural Karate Museum and Research Institute

Lifetime Students

of Designated Masters

As instructors, we've had the unique privilege of training directly under these Living Human Treasures from the very beginning. Help us pass on their legacy.

Katsuya Miyahira, Hanshi 10th Dan. Senior student of Master Chōshin Chibana and 2nd President of the OSKK. We have over 20 years of training under him during his visits to the US, and our trips to Okinawa. Sensei Miyahira certified the testing and teaching certificates for each of our instructors.
Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan. Head of the North American Shidokan Association and a senior student of Miyahira Sensei, he was the highest-ranking master in the US until his passing in 2024. Our instructors each have 30-40 years of direct training with Sensei Iha.
Morinobu Maeshiro, Hanshi 10th Dan. A senior student of Miyahira Sensei in Okinawa, current President of the OSKK, and Prefecture-Designated Intangible Cultural Asset Holder. We are honored to be students of Maeshiro Sensei.
Kiyoshi Tsuha, Hanshi 10th Dan and a Vice President of the OSKK, and recipient of the Okinawa Prefecture Cultural Merit Award for his lifetime of contributions and mastery in Okinawan Karate and Kobudo (weapons). We are now learning weapons under his instruction.

Our Teachers

We are extremely grateful for the years they've spent and continue to invest in us. Honored to be part of this historic lineage, it's our responsibility to pass on Original Okinawan karate.

Katsuya Miyahira

Designated on Sep 12, 2000

Prefecture-Designated Intangible Cultural Asset Holder

Seikichi Iha

Designated on May 19, 2020

Prefecture-Designated Intangible Cultural Asset Holder

Morinobu Maeshiro

Designated on May 19, 2020

Prefecture-Designated Intangible Cultural Asset Holder

Kiyoshi Tsuha

Honored on Nov 14, 2025

Prefecture Designated Person of Cultural Merit, Karate and Kobudo

Complete Listing

Designated on Aug 8, 1997

Nagamine Shoshin 長嶺将真 (Matsubayashi-ryū)
Yagi Meitoku 八木明徳 (Gōjū-ryū)
Itokazu Moriki 糸数盛喜 (Uechi-ryū)

Designated on Sep 12, 2000

Iha Yasunobu 伊波康進 (Gōjū-ryū)
Tomoyose Takahiro 友寄隆宏 (Uechi-ryū)
Nakazato Shugoro 仲里周五郎 (Shōrin-ryū)
Nakazato Tsunenobu 仲里常延 (Shorinji-ryū)
Miyahira Katsuya 宮平勝哉 (Shōrin-ryū)
Wakikawa Yukimori 湧川幸盛 (Gōjū-ryū)

Designated on May 7, 2013

Seitoku Ishikawa 石川精徳 (Shōrin-ryū)
Takenobu Uehara 上原武信 (Uechi-ryū)
Yoshio Hichiya 比知屋義夫 (Gōjū-ryū)
Masahiro Nakamoto 仲本政博 (Kobudō)
Morio Higaonna 東恩納盛男 (Gōjū-ryū)

Designated on May 19, 2020

Kotaro Iha 伊波光太郎 (Kobudō)
Seikichi Iha 伊波清吉 (Shōrin-ryū)
Masanari Kikugawa 喜久川政成 (Gōjū-ryū)
Nobutori Takara 高良信徳
Tsutomu Nakahodo 仲程力 (Uechi-ryū)
Morinobu Maeshiro 真栄城守信 (Shōrin-ryū)

Source:

Report on Additional Certification of Holders of Intangible Cultural Properties (Official Japanese)

Report on Additional Certification of Holders of Intangible Cultural Properties (English Translation)

Governor Tamashiro attended the dedication day performance at the Karate Kaikan.
Okinawa, Oct 10, 2022

In order to correctly pass on Okinawa karate as a traditional asset and promote Okinawa both inside and outside of the country as the birthplace of karate, Okinawa Prefectural Government is working hard to inscribe Okinawa karate on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Read the full message

Additional Resources

Official Publications and Video Materials

2020 Holders on Dedication day
Ryukyushimpo | Okinawa Times | Okinawa Prefecture