In 2019, photography and video has been completely dominated by Okinawan martial arts.
Arcenio James Avincula Isshinryu Karate / Ryukonkai Kobudo 
Meitatsu Yagi 10th-dan International Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate-do Association 
Kiichi Nakamoto 10th-dan Goju-ryu Karate / Ryukyu Dento Kobujutsu Born 1927 
Yae Takahashi 7th-dan Goju-ryu Karate-do / Ryukyu Dento Kobujutsu 
Seikichi Iha 10th-dan Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate, Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association Photographed August 29th 2019 at the Miyahira Dojo, Naha City, Okinawa. 
Cezar Borkowski photographed November 12th 2019, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. Chris Willson Photography 
Major John Douglas Perry, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) 10th dan Shorin-kan Shorin-ryu photographed in Okinawa Nov 19th 2019 
Kiyomasa Maeda 10th dan Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Association photographed 19th March 2019 at the Honbu Dojo, Itoman, Okinawa, Japan. 
Takeshi Tamaki 9th dan International Shogen-Ryu Karate Do Kyokai photographed March 5th 2019 
Kenichi Yamashiro 山城健一, 9th dan Matayoshi Kobudo,. Photographed March 1st 2019 at the Komesu Yamashiro Dojo 
Kenyu Chinen9th-dan World Oshukai Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate Do Kobudo Federation with student Kohei Oshiro. Photographed at the Yomitan Dojo 4th November 2019 
Fusei Kise 10th dan Matsumura Orthodox Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo 83 years old. Photographed at his dojo in Okinawa City on April 13th 2019. Learn more about the Karate Masters Portrait Project at https://travel67.com/the-karate-masters-portrait-project/ 
83-year-old Hisao Hamamoto, iaido master with samurai sword in Okinawa Japan. Style name is Koden HachimanRyu Jissen BattoJutsu Hamamotoden BattoKai
The crowd-funded YouTube video series is proving to be popular, and we’ve released the first six of twelve interviews with Okinawan masters, and three bonus episodes with international masters.
On occassions I’ve been able to photograph some of Okinawa’s less combative side, with smiles and flowers.
The real highlight of the year has been watching this little one grow. Now nearly 2, she’s has adopted all the traits of our chocolate labrador (a bundle of crazed energy who loves to play in the dirt, scavenge for snacks, and then curl up in front of the TV).
A huge thank you to all those who’ve helped this year. Thank you to the students who’ve taken my workshops, clients who’ve hired me for projects, the international karate community for supporting and sponsoring the video series, and to my family both in Okinawa and around the world during this challenging year.
Looking forward to 2020, should be an exciting year.
All the best from Okinawa,
Chris
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 