Video by Igor Mishenkov

Morio Higaonna, 東恩納 盛男, head of the Traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do Federation (TOGKF), and an Intangible Cultural Asset Holder in the Field of Okinawan Karate and Martial Arts with Weaponry. Once described as “the most dangerous man in Japan in a real fight“ he is known for his extremely tough training and body conditioning. He is one of the elder statesmen in karate around the world, and is pushing for Okinawan karate to be recognized by UNESCO. The interview took place at his dojo in Okinawa, Japan a couple of days before his 84th birthday. Sensei: Masters of Okinawan Karate is a crowd-funded documentary series about the amazing martial arts teachers living on Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. It is completely free to watch on YouTube. Learn more about the project here and how you can help here: GOALS OF THE SERIES 1. Document the stories of Okinawan karate masters and their philosophy on life and their martial arts practice. 2. Record in the highest quality possible. Ideally 4K or 8K, RAW, multi camera, multi audio 3. Store the original data as an archival record. 4. Transcribe and translate the recordings to spread knowledge of Okinawan martial arts, history and culture. 5. Make the videos available for free online via YouTube, and on so that anyone, anywhere can see them. The documentary series grew out of the Karate Masters Portrait Project which began in 2012. The portrait project allowed amazing access to the sensei, but it was only Chris Willson and James Pankiewicz who got to hear their stories. The documentary series is a way for us to share that unique knowledge with the international karate community. If you can help sponsor or support this series like the awesome people listed below please get in touch! SERIES TWO Sponsors and Supporters as of January 1st 2023 SERIES TWO SPONSORS Martin Pinto - Essex Goju Ryu Karate Doug Perry - Okinawa Shorinryu Karate Cezar Borkowski - Northern Karate Schools NOVA Okinawan Karate Dojo Series Two - Key Supporters Ervin Tong - Shin Shi Kan Fred Mansfield Jr. - Beikoku Shidokan / RBKD Robert Roberto Curtis - Beikoku Shidokan / Virginia Dojo 琉球大学国際地域創造学部 ウェルネス研究分野 (荒川研究室) Mark Spear - Black Bear Dojo Series Supporters Ari Nuutinen Justin Sheehy David Deinert Fred Speece Andreas Sticht Danny Smith Olaf Steinbrecher Jonathan Lapomardo Shelley Cormier Gerry Campbell Marian Reiter Joel Castasus Åke Mora Temnerud Victoria Kirkup Robin Ross Thomas Podzelny Ty Beth Andy Morris Darren Xiberras James Hatch John J. Strangeway