07/12/2025
Sakugawa Satunushi Pechin Kanga (佐久川寛賀 1786-1867) of the Yì Clan (易氏), was born in 1786 as Teruya Kanga in the Torihori district, which was then known as Tunjumui, in Shuri. Kanga was raised in the magistrate class and he served as the magistrate for the Yaeyama islands. He was granted Sakugawa Island in Nakagusuku Bay for his contributions to the management of the Yaeyama Islands (八重山列島). After receiving the island, he changed his surname from Teruya to Sakugawa. The Yì clan was established by Urasoe Uekata Kan’an (also known as Uechi Oya 上地大屋, great-grandson of Tenteiko (天帝子) grandson of Tenmiko (天孫子), and the son of Uema Aushu 上間按主) under the rule of Sho En of the Second Sho Dynasty around 1470. Ukiyaka (宇喜也嘉, Kan’an’s sister), became the wife of Sho En, while Kan’an inherited the Yi clan family register. Sakugawa became famous for his bojutsu method. Many bukijutsu styles on Okinawa still practice his Bo method to this day. It is unclear exactly who his teachers were, or if his bojutsu was something he learned while living on Ishigaki island or something from his youth in Shuri. However, his living descendants have said that there is no evidence that Sakugawa ever visited China nor did he die in Beijing which is often claimed.
In March 1915 the Chuza Theater Company produced a play called "Kakure Bushi" which was advertised at the time of being the story of Tote Sakugawa and his courageous acts. The company performed plays at schools and community events, and at the time they were considered to be purely entertainment. Sadly many people took these plays to be fact, and the real life of these famous masters became heavily distorted. The play introduced the idea of Tote Sakugawa going to China, training Matsumura Sokon, and other events which don't actually relate to the real person's life.
Gambatte Kudasai!
Scot Mertz
www.ryuhoryu.com
Source:
Nakamoto, Masahiro. Okinawa Dento Kobudo. Revised Edition, 2007. PP 136-138
Hokama, Tetsuhiro. Okinawan Karate Seven Samurai. Ryukyu Shinposha. March 2014.
Quast, Andreas. Ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=3770 – Sakugawa Hidden Warrior. 30 March 2015
Notes taken from interviews with Sakugawa's descendants.
** The portrait is an AI creation created by blending living family member's photos together. There are no known photos of Sakugawa Kanga.
