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It was Nagamine Ichiro (no relation) who first gave me the chance to feel close to Nagamine Shoshin Sensei. Nagamine Ichiro had asthma as a child. However, after he studied karate under Nagamine Sensei, his health improved. After the war, Nagamine Ichiro recommended that I also consider practicing karate because of my asthma problem. At that time, both Ichiro and I worked for the Okinawan Peoples’ Government (forerunner of the Ryukyu government). Ichiro had overcome his asthma problem through karate training. This interested me, but I couldn’t decided whether or not to begin training because I was so lazy.

Even though I had heard the name of Nagamine Shoshin often since 1940 or 1941, it was not until I moved back to Naha in 1950 that I was finally able to meet him. I can’t remember just how I became so close to Nagamine Sensei, but I did.

These days I don’t see Nagamine Sensei very often, but when I do, I feel as if it was just yesterday that we last met. That’s how close we are. Yet, not being a budoka, I can’t imagine that I am a very good companion for the master, never speaking about the discipline. Nonetheless, the story of Master Nagamines enlightenment through bu is a great lesson for us all. Master Nagamine is a great inspiration, not only for karateka, but also for people like myself, who remain outside of the discipline.