Archival Media Gallery: Photographs, Book Editions & Kata Video Series
A curated collection of historical visual documents surrounding Master Shigeru Egami and the Kimikagesō memoirs: original pre-war sparring plates, masterwork book covers, lineage diagrams, and the 16-kata instructional video canon.
1. Pre-War Kumite & Youth Conditioning
c. 1930 - 1935
Yoshitaka Funakoshi & Shigeru Egami Sparring (1935)
Original photographic plate from Karate-do Kyohan (1935). Shigeru Egami (left) testing the newly developed combat curriculum alongside Gigo Funakoshi.
Dojo Shotokan de Mejiro, Tokio • Archivo Shotokai.com
Shigeru Egami: Youth Conditioning Montage (shotokai.jp)
Archival three-photo montage preserved by Nihon Karate-do Shotokai. Shows Egami in his twenties: makiwara-conditioned musculature, deep rooted stances, and extreme kime prior to his operations.
Cortesía de Shotokai.jp (NKS) • Tokio (c. 1930s)
2. Canonical Book Editions & Historical Covers
1943 - 1980
Karate-do Nyumon (空手道入門)
Canonical work published December 1943. Gichin Funakoshi authored the historical overview; Yoshitaka composed the technical instruction.
Karate-do: For the Specialist (1970)
Advanced technical manual by Master Shigeru Egami featuring Hiroyuki Aoki and Rakutenkai as photo models.
The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique
International project initiated by Tomoji Miyamoto and Kenji Suzuki. Miyamoto was the sole technical photo model.
3. The 16-Kata Archival Video Canon
In the mid-1970s, Master Shigeru Egami personally introduced on camera the definitive film documentation of the Shotokai kata canon. Master Tomoji Miyamoto was selected as the sole demonstrator, executing each form with the low stances, rooting, and fluid relaxation developed by Egami.
Master Shigeru Egami On-Camera Introduction
Master Egami speaks directly to the camera explaining the spiritual essence of karate and the refusal to commercialize the art.
Kata Bassai Dai: Demonstrated by Tomoji Miyamoto
Canonical demonstration featuring deep lunges, fluid transition, and penetrating kime free of muscular rigidity.
Kata Kanku Dai: Demonstrated by Tomoji Miyamoto
The major sky-viewing kata, executed with open natural hands and expansive ground sweeps.
Kata Hangetsu: Demonstrated by Tomoji Miyamoto
Deep abdominal (Tanden) breathing form with dynamic natural tension inspired by the crescent moon.
4. Lineage & Budo Evolution Diagrams
Branches of Master Shigeru Egami's Lineage
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Lineage development through Waseda, Gakushuin, Chuo, and international European branches.
Evolution of Sōgōbūdō & Shintaido
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Rakutenkai group research with Hiroyuki Aoki transforming toward a universal body-movement art.
