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Published July 16th, 2025
Where Real Karate Comes From
Behind every great martial artist is a teacher, and behind Taika Seiyu Oyata, there were two legendary ones. Uhugushuku and Wakinaguri weren’t commercial instructors or sport fighters. They were guardians of Okinawa’s most closely held self-defense knowledge, passed down quietly through generations of warrior families.
At Takamine Karate Dojo in Miller Place, that same knowledge continues to be preserved and practiced, passed directly from Taika Oyata to Hanshi Seiken Takamine, one of the few masters entrusted with the complete system. When you train here, you’re not just learning karate. You’re training in an authentic, unbroken lineage that reaches back to two of the most elusive and skilled martial artists in Okinawan history.
Uhugushuku — The Royal Guardian Behind Tuite and Kyusho Jitsu
Uhugushuku, also known as Uehara Seikichi, was no ordinary martial artist. He came from a high-ranking Okinawan family and served as a bodyguard to the royal class. His art, sometimes called Ti, was refined, close-range, and built for efficiency over flash.
What He Taught Taika Oyata
Uhugushuku introduced Oyata to the foundations of Tuite (joint manipulation) and Kyusho Jitsu (pressure point striking). These techniques were designed to quickly neutralize threats with minimal effort. Unlike the high-impact strikes seen in sport karate, Tuite and Kyusho rely on precision, anatomy, and internal control, perfect for real-world encounters where size and strength don’t guarantee survival.
At Takamine Karate Dojo, these skills remain core to the curriculum. Students learn how to control the body through structure, not strength. They learn how to recognize openings, control an attacker’s balance, and use pressure points to gain control in any situation.
Explore how these principles are taught in our Our Programs section.
Wakinaguri — The Samurai Legacy That Shaped Structure and Timing
Wakinaguri Kisho came from a noble family and was deeply influenced by Chinese martial arts, which were often exchanged and adapted through Okinawa’s unique history. His training emphasized flowing movement, internal power, and controlling the opponent through body alignment and timing.
What He Passed Down
Through Wakinaguri, Taika Oyata learned how to blend striking with control, how to move seamlessly between attack and defense, and how to manipulate energy, not through force, but through intent and structure.
These teachings still shape the way we move at Takamine Karate Dojo. Whether in kata, weapons, or partner drills, students are taught to move with alignment, not tension. Timing and positioning are refined constantly, just as Wakinaguri taught, making every technique more efficient and harder to read.
That’s the kind of detail you won’t find in most martial arts schools near Miller Place. And that’s what makes our dojo different.
How Their Teachings Live On at Takamine Karate Dojo
Hanshi Takamine didn’t learn pieces of the art. He was trained in the full system directly under Taika Oyata, who passed on the complete teachings of Uhugushuku and Wakinaguri. Today, every class at Takamine Karate Dojo reflects that knowledge, from the smallest body movement to the deepest kata application.
Students here learn more than just how to strike or block. They develop:
- Real self defense techniques that work under pressure
- Close-quarters control using Tuite and Kyusho Jitsu
- Weapons training grounded in combat, not choreography
- A mindset rooted in awareness and discipline, not ego or aggression
This isn’t sport karate. It’s a life protection system, a living art that continues to evolve without losing its roots.
To explore our heritage and direct lineage, visit the Takamine + Oyata page.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Uhugushuku and Wakinaguri never opened public dojos or competed for trophies. They trained in silence, taught privately, and passed their knowledge only to those who would preserve it. Taika Oyata was one of those students. And today, Hanshi Seiken Takamine is one of the few masters who continues to honor that responsibility.
At Takamine Karate Dojo, you are not learning a system made for the masses. You are learning a legacy, crafted by Okinawan warriors, refined by masters, and kept alive right here in Miller Place.
Call us today at 631-514-4099 to begin your journey into one of the most authentic and effective martial arts systems still in existence.