Oral tradition maintains that To-te Sakugawa was born in 1782.  He was a scholar who studied diligently in China.  It is believed that he was a teacher of Kokugaku (ancient Japanese language, thought and culture.)

Unfortunately, there is not much historical documentation  about the bujin of Sakugawa's era,  or Okinawa's Kingdom period in general.  However, two centuries later,  To-te Sakugawa is still regarded as the principal figure in the history of that fighting tradition which surfaced in Shuri district of Okinawa.

We know that Sakugawa Sensei studied Bojutsu, (6' staff) because of the Kata that cares his name is still practiced today.