Although not Okinawan, Sudō Kinsaku/須藤金作 was twice All Japan Judo Champion and studied briefly with Motobu Choki in Okinawa during a c. 1937/38 trip to the island.
Motobu Choki 本部 朝基 [1870–1944] Recollections ~ The Shabana/Nakama Interview
excerpted ….
Around 1937 or 38 Motobu had to make a trip to Okinawa by himself, leaving his wife and family in Osaka. During this time there was a judoka, named Sudō Kinsaku/須藤金作 [1897-1982], also visiting Okinawa from the mainland. Although Sudo allegedly became a 10th dan under Kano Jigoro, he was then a 7th or 8th dan. Sudo had gone to Okinawa to visit another judo colleague originally from the mainland named Yamashiro Kojun/山城興純 who was teaching judo at the old Naha Central High School. One of the reasons that Yamashiro had taken the teaching assignment in Okinawa was to learn more about karate. After making their way around to visit several teachers Sudō finally found his way to meet Motobu and asked if he could test his skills.
Because of the brutality that karate impact-style fighting was known for, and the subsequent potential risk of serious injury, some rules were established. In preparation for the bout, Mr. Nakama brought [the then 67 or 68 year old] Motobu something to wear, as the Master had nothing appropriate of his own at the time. When the bout started, the two fiercely engaged each other. However, after just a couple of minutes Sudō finally gave in admitting that he could not defeat Motobu and asked if he would teach him. Often a bujin can tell who is superior simply from the way an opponent looks or moves. Notwithstanding, Sudō went on to study practical karate from Motobu and was taught how to handle knife attacks and negotiate multiple confrontations.
Originally appearing in Aoiumi Vol#70 Feb. 1978 “Jisen Karate no Senkusha Buyu Motobu nu Saru” by Shabana (Jahana) Seijin, pp 106-110. Japanese-to-English translation by Patrick & Yuriko McCarthy c. 2002
In my own personal study of Sudō Kinsaku, I wasn’t able to locate too much more about him; The 柔道百年の歴史/One Hundred Year History of Judo by Kodansha, cites Sudō Kinsaku/須藤金作 [1897-1982] as having twice won the All Japan Judo Championship in 1930 and 1937 along with quite an impressive list other wins. He started Judo in 1923 in his mid twenties under Nakano Shozo [1888-1977] and was promoted to Shodan in only three months. In 1928, after 5 years, he received his 5th dan … and became known as one of Nakano’s top students. In 1837 he made 6th dan. He was also Sumo wrestler during the Taisho Period [1912-1926], competing under the name Mutsunishiki Kenichi [陸奥錦 建市/むつにしき けんいち] but I couldn’t find much about him nor his record. Professionally, he taught judo at the Fukuoka, Miyazaki and finally Kanagawa Prefectural Police Departments during his career before retiring to nearby Chiba Prefecture. He passed away at age 84 in 1982.
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