Not so well known in the Western Hemisphere, Kentsū Yabu (1866–1937) is a pivotal figure in Okinawan history. Born in the small village of Yamakawa very close to Shuri, the capital of then independent Ryūkyū Kingdom, Yabu bore witness to the forced incorporation of his homeland into Okinawa Prefecture under the Empire of Japan in 1879. In 1890, he embarked on a remarkable journey, volunteering for the Japanese Army and rising to the rank of Sergeant or “Gunsō”. His valorous exploits during the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War cemented his status as a revered war hero. Beyond the battlefield, Yabu Gunsō left an indelible mark on Okinawan society. Recognizing the importance of physical education, he later became a driving force in integrating karate, an indigenous martial art of the Ryūkyū Islands, into the school curriculum. Venturing beyond borders, he spent a significant time in California between 1919 and 1927 before making history as the first principal karate authority to showcase his art in the Hawaiian Islands upon his return to Okinawa, where he spent the last years of his life. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Thomas Feldmann for once again bringing to life the pages of history and ensuring that the legacy of Kentsū Yabu stands immortalized for generations to come.” Patrick McCarthy, International Ryukyu Karate Research Society “My generous praise and thanks are extended to Mr. Feldmann for his astute ability to not only tell a story but to give texture to my family’s life, a gift that has eluded me for so many years.” Arlene Miyoko Wayland, Granddaughter of Kentsū Yabu