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Quiz about The History of Okinawan Martial Arts

The History of Okinawan Martial Arts Quiz

This quiz is a mix bag of questions about Okinawan martial arts. History, people and the martial arts themselves.

A multiple-choice quiz by NewBudo. Estimated time: 5 mins.

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Author
NewBudo

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
363,286

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
179

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which year did the three kingdoms of Okinawa unite to form the Kingdom of Ryukyu? Hint

1652

1429

1543

1387

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Kobudo is an ancient Okinawan martial art which is defined as the art of using agricultural and fishing tools as weapons. What does the word "kobudo" mean? Hint

"Way of the warrior"

"Old warrior's way"

"Peasant weaponry"

"Old martial way"

3. The Satsuma clan from Japan invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1609. They implemented a ban on weaponry which many people today believe was the main reason for the development of Okinawan martial arts. However, the Satsuma were not the first to implement a ban on weapons. Who was? Hint

King Sho Shin

Emperor Qin

Shogun Tokugawa

Emperor Khan

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The three main systems of "Te", or "Tode", developed around three central areas on Okinawa. What were the names of these areas? Hint

Shuri, Naha, Tomari

Hokaido, Tomari, Naha

Shuri, Fukushima, Naha

Fuji, Naha, Shuri

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Before karate became known as "karate" (Empty Hand), it was simply referred to as "Te" or "Tode" on Okinawa. What does "Tode" mean? Hint

Iron Fist

China Hand

Okinawan Hand

Okinawan for Kung Fu

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Question 6 of 10

6. Shuri Castle has been the capital of Okinawa since the Sanzan period (1322 - 1429). During the Battle of Okinawa it was almost completely destroyed. In what year did restoration work on it begin? Hint

1974

2003

1969

1992

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Karate and kobudo are the two best known martial arts which developed on Okinawa. However, Okinawa also has an indigenous form of wrestling. What is it called? Hint

Sumo

Tegumi

Hapkido

Tuite

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Who introduced karate to mainland Japan in 1922 after giving a demonstration in front of the Japanese Ministry of Education? Hint

Gichin Funakoshi

Anko Itosu

Kenwa Mabuni

Chojun Miyagi

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Many kobudo weapons were originally agricultural tools which were used as weapons of self protection. Which of the following kobudo weapons were NOT originally an agricultural tool? Hint

Kama

Nunchaku

Tonfa

Sai

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Question 10 of 10

10. The "tinbe" is a shield normaly used together with a "rochin", a short spear. What material was most commonly used to make the tinbe? Hint

Bamboo

Wood

Animal hides

Turtle shells

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which year did the three kingdoms of Okinawa unite to form the Kingdom of Ryukyu?

Answer: 1429

During the Three Kingdom Period (1322-1429), also known as the Sanzan Period, the island of Okinawa was divided into three kingdoms: Chuzan, Hokuzan and Nanzan. In 1429 King Sho Hashi completed the unification of the three kingdoms and founded one Ryukyu Kingdom. The capital was at Shuri Castle.

2. Kobudo is an ancient Okinawan martial art which is defined as the art of using agricultural and fishing tools as weapons. What does the word "kobudo" mean?

Answer: "Old martial way"

Some examples of kobudo weaponry and their original functions are: Nunchaku (horse briddle); Eku (boat oar); Tonfa (millingstone handle) and Kama (sickles used for cutting crops or long grass).

Answer: King Sho Shin

King Sho Shin banned the practice of martial arts when he came into power in 1477. The traditional martial arts like Tode and kobudo were still taught and practiced in secret, though.

4. The three main systems of "Te", or "Tode", developed around three central areas on Okinawa. What were the names of these areas?

Answer: Shuri, Naha, Tomari

Shuri, Naha and Tomari were the three main areas responsible for the development of early "Te" or "Tode". From these areas developed Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te. The two which were the most influential on modern karate were Shuri-te and Naha-te. From Shuri-te we get the Shorin-Ryu style of karate and from Naha-te we get the Goju-Ryu style of karate.

5. Before karate became known as "karate" (Empty Hand), it was simply referred to as "Te" or "Tode" on Okinawa. What does "Tode" mean?

Answer: China Hand

Tode literally means "China Hand". This was because Okinawan martial arts were heavily influenced by Chinese martial arts. The Japanese term "karate" was accepted in 1935.

Answer: 1992

The Shureimon gate was reconstructed in 1958 but reconstruction of the buildings started in 1992. After completion the whole site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Karate and kobudo are the two best known martial arts which developed on Okinawa. However, Okinawa also has an indigenous form of wrestling. What is it called?

Answer: Tegumi

Tegumi is a traditional form of wrestling from Okinawa. Many of the old karate masters like Gichin Funakoshi and Shoshin Nagamine make mention of it in their books. It is believed that tegumi is the progenitor of "Tode" as kicks and strikes were incorporated, influenced by Chinese martial arts.

8. Who introduced karate to mainland Japan in 1922 after giving a demonstration in front of the Japanese Ministry of Education?

Answer: Gichin Funakoshi

Funakoshi was a student of Shuri-te under Anko Itosu and introduced karate to mainland Japan in 1922. He was also the founder of Shotokan karate. Kenwa Mabuni was the founder of Shito-Ryu karate and Chojun Miyagi was the founder of Goju-Ryu karate.

9. Many kobudo weapons were originally agricultural tools which were used as weapons of self protection. Which of the following kobudo weapons were NOT originally an agricultural tool?

Answer: Sai

Sai were originally designed as a weapon. Earlier variations of the sai can be found in India, Thailand, China, Vietnam and Malaysia. Kama are sickles used for cutting crops and long grass, tonfa were originally used as stone mill handles and nunchaku were originally a horse briddle.

10. The "tinbe" is a shield normaly used together with a "rochin", a short spear. What material was most commonly used to make the tinbe?

Answer: Turtle shells

The primary source of food on Okinawa is fishing. This provided a reliable source of turtle shells. The rochin (spear) were sometimes substituded with a machette like short sword.

Source: Author NewBudo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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