Tode Sakugawa was born in 1683 in Shuri's
Torihori village. His real name was Teruyu Chikodan Peichin Kanga. When he was 17 years old his father was killed by bandits,
so he determined to master the Martial arts. He is the most notable student of Peichin Takahara and Kushanku. Peichin Takahara
taught Sakugawa Samurai sword (Katana) and from Kushanku he learn Kumiuchi-jutsu (fighting and grabbling techniques) Kushanku
also taught Sakugawa principle of Hikite (pulling / drawhand). He did not stop there, he travelled to China there he studied
Chinese Kempo, and bo (staff).
When sakugawa returned to Okinawa he was appointed as the chief
Shuri officer of Yaeymama islands. As a reward of his service the Government of Shuri gave him a small island and named it
Sakugawa. He took the name of the island for himself and thus he became Sakugawa teruyu Chikodan Peichin Kanga. Sakugawa is
rememberd as Tode Sakugawa. The word Tode means China hand, the name used for Karate before 1920's. Tode Sakugawa is known
as 'Father of Karate'. He create an empty hand Kata and named it 'Kusanku' in the memory of his master and also create a staff
Kata named Sakugawa No Kun. The great Master passed away in 1815.
