Gushiken

Gushiken (具志堅), is a Japanese surname of Okinawan (Ryukyu islands). Often takend to mean "strong willed" or "of firm determination", though literally Gu (具) - ingredients/utensil/means, Shi (志) - will/motive/bear in mind, Ken (堅) - hard/resolute/unyielding. This surname is unique among Japanese surnames in that it is one of the few that are composed of three kanji characters, where most Japanese surnames are either composed of one or two kanji characters.

The Gushiken surname is one of many family names of the Okinawan bureaucrat class (Okinawan scholar-officials, also known as Shizoku Pechin). In recent history there have been some notable Gushiken who have excelled in martial arts, politics, sports, education, entertainment, etc.

Some members of former Scholars families began their migration from Okinawa in the early 20th century. Years earlier, in the late 19th century, government pensions to Samurai had been cancelled. Then, in 1920 Okinawa was hit hard by a major economic downturn, the price of cotton and silk fell by 70% in some areas and it was still recovering from a major epidemic that swept through the islands. Many in the warrior class found the adjustment difficult and left Okinawa to seek their fortunes in places like Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and California.

See also

• Okinawan Scholar-officials - Pechin
• Yoko Gushiken (The Okinawan Eagle) WBA Jr. flyweight champion 1976-1981
• Koji Gushiken 1984 Olympic AA Champion
• Luiz Gushiken (Brazilian Politician)
• Raymundo Gushiken Nakagawa (vice-president of the Consejo Estatal de Atención al Envejecimiento (Coesaen)
• Shintoku Gushiken President of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Seibukai Association
• Shijin Gushiken (1944 - 1994) Renowned Okinawan karate master, Okinawa, Japan
• Zensei Gushiken President of International Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation