Higaonna

Higaonna is a surname of Okinawan origin. It is a common surname in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The kanji characters often used for Higaonna are 東恩納. The first character, 東 (higashi), means "east," and the characters 恩納 (onna) together can be interpreted in various ways, possibly relating to a place name or a historical family lineage. The surname is strongly associated with the island of Okinawa and its cultural heritage. Many individuals with the surname Higaonna have contributed to various fields, including martial arts, arts, and academia. One of the most historically significant figures bearing this surname is Higaonna Kanryō, a renowned Okinawan martial artist credited with being a primary teacher of Naha-te, a precursor to modern karate styles like Gōjū-ryū. His influence on the development of karate is widely recognized. The surname itself is an integral part of Okinawan identity and history.