Masters of Kobudo
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei or "Kama nu Matehi" (Matayoshi the Kama) as he was often called, was born in the city of Naha, Okinawa in 1888. As the third son of Matayoshi Shinchin, a wealthy businessman, Shinko was the only member of the family to become involved in the martial arts.
Although Matayoshi Shinko, Sensei grew up predominantly in Okinawa, he traveled later on in his life around different areas of Japan and China. It was in Okinawa, Hokkaido, and China that Matayoshi Shinko Sensei received the majority of his exposure and training in various weapon arts. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei would later incorporate many of the weapons and styles of his instructors to form the foundation of what we know today as Matayoshi Kobudo system.
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei had the opportunity to experience the art of weapons from many different instructors. During his teens, Matayoshi began his training in kobujutsu, under the instruction of Agena Chokuho Sensei of Gushikawa Village. From Agena Sensei, Matayoshi learned Bo-jutsu, Sai-jutsu, Kama-jutsu, and leku-jutsu.
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei then became the student of Irei Sensei of Nozato, Chatan Town, from whom he learned the arts of Tonkua-jutsu and Nunchaku-jutsu.
Not long after, at the age of 22, Matayoshi Shinko Sensei left on an adventure to Manchuria where he joined a mounted nomadic tribe, from whom he gained exposure in the arts of Ba-jutsu (bow and arrow while riding a horse), Shuriken-jutsu, and Nagenawa-jutsu (rope throwing).
Shinko Sensei continued in his travels to expand his knowledge of the art of weaponry, arriving in Shanghai where he learned the arts of Nunti-jutsu, Tinbei-jutsu, and Suruchin-jutsu. while in Shanghai, he began to develop interests outside of kobudo, yet still within the realm of the martial arts. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei became involved in the study of Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine under the instruction of Kinkoroushi. He furthered his studies in China, learning Chinese boxing and Shorinji-Kempo in Fuchow, China.
Because of his abilities and knowledge, windows of opportunity were opened to Matayoshi Shinko Sensei, and he was able to participate in two very notable moments in the history of the martial arts. In 1915, during the Imperial Memorial Budo Demonstration Festival at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Shinko Sensei demonstrated Tonkua-jutsu and Kama-jutsu, while Funakoshi Gichin Sensei (the founder of Shotokan) demonstrated karate. This was the first time that Okinawan Kobudo was publicly demonstrated in mainland Japan, and remains a very important event in the history of Kobudo. Later, in 1921, during the honorable visit of Prince Hirohito (Showa) to Okinawa, Matayoshi Sensei demonstrated Kobudo, and Miyagi Chojun Sensei (the founder of Goju Ryu) demonstrated Karate for the distinguished guest. It was not until 1935 when Matayoshi Shinko Sensei returned to Okinawa, settled in the city of Naha, and shaped his experiences to the point of developing the Matayoshi style of Kobudo. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei passed away in 1947 at the age of 59.
Shinko Matayoshi was succeeded as Soke (headmaster) of Matayoshi kobudo by his son, Shinpo Matayoshi (1921-1997).
Matayoshi Shinpo (or Shimpo) 又吉眞豊 (1921–1997) was a martial artist who lived in Naha, Okinawa during the 20th Century.
He was the only son of the legendary Okinawan Martial Arts master Matayoshi Shinko 又吉眞光 (1888–1947).
The Matayoshi Family have long been associated with the martial arts and they can trace their lineage back over many generations.
At one time an early ancestor of Matayoshi Shinpo served as strategic martial arts instructor and as an officer of the Ryukyu royal court up until the last days of the shogunate.
Matayoshi Shinpo learned martial arts from his father from his birth until his mid twenties. He had learned several kata associated with Naha-Te in his early childhood.
Despite being a well respected expert in Okinawan Karate, Matayoshi Shinpo is perhaps best known for his practice of Kobudo.
He started a dojo in the 1960s in memory of his father and called it the Kodokan 光道館. From the Kodokan he began to teach a wide variety of traditional weapons associated with Okinawan peasants.
Matayoshi Shinpo continued to learn martial arts from a man affectionally know in Okinawa as Go Ken Ki (Wu Xian Gui). Go Ken Ki was from the Chinese mainland and practiced various styles of southern kung fu. It is from Go Ken Ki that Matayoshi Shinpo learned many of the Chinese forms that he later became famous for demonstrating.
Many of the weapons used in Matayoshi Kobudo have their origin in China. The Staff, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Sansetsukon, Suruchin, Hoe, Sword and Shield are all weapons regularly used and practiced in Chinese kung fu. These weapons are particularly prevalent in the Hung Gar tradition. It may be that Hun Gar has had a strong inluence on Mataysohi Shinpo and his Kobudo. Other weapons such as the Oar, the Fishing Spear and the Sickles have their origins in Okinawa.
Students of Matayoshi Shinpo are now found all over the world and they continue to practice his style of Kobudo known collectively as "Matayoshi Kobudo". Some of Matayoshi Sensei's most respected original students include Kinjo Takashi, Kenyu Chinen and Tadashi Yamashita.
Some of his more respected later students include Gakiya Yoshiaki and Yamashiro Kenichi.
It was the ambition of Matayoshi Shinpo that his art of Kobudo should be practiced all over the world and to that end he travelled extensively teaching his art. Today there are approximately 2000 dojos worldwide that practice Matayoshi Kobudo thanks to his legacy.
Master Yamashita Tadashi is one of the most well known instructors at an international level and he is considered to be an authority in traditional arts of Okinawa worldwide.
"Hanshi" Tadashi Yamashita has dedicated so far over 60 years of his life to the practice of Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. A highly respected man in all circles of martial arts, Yamashita-Sensei is sought after for karatedo and kobudo seminars from all over the world. He currently retains the rank of 10th degree black belt in Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo and 10th degree black belt in Zen Okinawa Kobudo.
Sensei is also the President, Director and founder of the Yamashita International Budo Association which incorporates Yamashita Shorin-Ryu Karate, Yamashita-Matayoshi Kobudo and Sensei's Suikendo Fighting System.
Born in Japan in 1942. When Sensei was three years old, his father passed away. When he was 8 years old he moved with his mother to Okinawa. In 1953 he started his karatedo training with Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan, in Naha, Okinawa. At that same time he started training with Hanshi Shinpo Matayoshi of the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei. He won his first dan at the age of 16.
In 1963 Sensei moved to Chicago, Illinois USA. He kept visiting Okinawa every year to continue his training with his karate and kobudo instructors.
In 1967 Sensei moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, and founded his first karate dojo. Two of his first students were Sensei James Ninios and Sensei Bud Shafer.
In 1968 Sensei performed in front of Chibana Chosen-Sensei and Shugoro Nakazato-Sensei for his 7th Dan. Aged 27 at that time, he became the youngest karateka in Japan's history to be awarded the 7th Dan.
In 1969 he became the head of the American Karate Association together with Sensei Ernie Lieb. In 1970 he became head of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan in the United States under Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato.
In 1972 Sensei moved to California, where many top artists, such as Mike Stone and Ed Parker, noticed his talent and skill. This is when Sensei began his friendship with Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee.
During the 1973 Pro-Am Karate Tournament Sensei brought over 7,000 spectators to a standing ovation by demonstrating his mastery and skill of ancient kobudo weaponry.
In U.S A, there are over 60 traditional dojos under his supervision.
His popularity, his skills in karate and kobudo, as well as his personal style, Suikendo, gave him the chance to enter the world of show-business (Hollywood).
He participated in more than 25 movies, including: Thrillseekers, The Karate, The Blind Karate man, Karate 2, Enter the Dragon, Judge Dee, Golden Needlesss, Octagon, The Seven, The Magnificent Three, The Shinobi, Kung Fu, A Man Called Sloan, American Ninja etc.
Today, his only occupation is the instruction of his art according to the traditional values of Okinawa's Karate and its spread throughout the world.
Yamashita-Sensei is highly recognized as a leading authority in the martial arts. His accomplishments not only include his study with several notable high ranking masters such as Chibana-Sensei, Nakazato-Sensei and Matayoshi-Sensei. He is also well known for his explosive open hand techniques. Sensei combines many progressive fighting tactics with traditional aspects of karatedo, thus resulting in a devastating fighting system known as "Suikendo," which translates to "fist flowing like water". This non stopping flowing system of fighting allows the karateka to simultaneously block and strike his opponent with blinding speed and accuracy.
Sensei conducts annual martial art seminars around the world, sharing his philosophy.
Sensei's International Association spreads from the United States to Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Netherlands and Russia. Sensei also keeps a close connection with his birthplace in Japan, often taking a delegation of his association to train on Okinawa.
Sensei's list of affiliated dojos in the United States includes the states of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
