On a warm August morning in Okinawa, New Zealand Matsubayashi representatives led by Shihan Kevin Plaisted visited the tomb of Osensei Shoshin Nagamine to lay flowers and pay their respects to the founder and Grand Master of Matsubayashi Ryu karatedo.
Kancho Yoshitaka Taira and Shihandai Nobuhide Higa of kodokan Taira dojo escorted the kiwi group to the tomb. The group were honoured to have the opportunity to demonstrate Osensei Nagamine's historically significant kata Fukyugata ichi in the area at the front of his tomb.
This was an unforgettable experience for the New Zealanders which reinforced their continued commitment to preserving the history, tradition and essence of Matsubayashi Ryu down under.

Osensei Nagamine, who was born  in Tomari village, developed the kata Fukyugata ichi in 1941 at the request of the Okinawa Karatedo Association and hence this kata holds a special place in the tradition of Matsubayashi Ryu.