Matayoshi Kobudo


Matayoshi Kobudo is a general term referring to the style of Okinawan Kobudo that was developed by Matayoshi Shinpo and Matayoshi Shinko during the twentieth century. Martial arts have been practiced by the Matayoshi family for over nine generations and draw influence from Japanese, Chinese and indigenous Okinawan martial arts styles.

History

In the early 20th century Matayoshi Shinko 又吉眞光 was asked to demonstrate Kobudo to the Japanese emperor. He did this twice alongside the likes of Chojun Miyagi and Gichin Funakoshi, who demonstrated karate.
Following the death of Matayoshi Shinko in 1947, his son Shinpo, continued his father's legacy by teaching kobudo. Matayoshi Shinpo started a dojo in the 1970s in memory of his father and called it the Kodokan 光道館. From the Kodokan he taught a wide variety of traditional weapons associated with Okinawan peasants. In 1972, Matayoshi Sensei created the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei as an organisation dedicated to the teaching and studying of Okinawa Kobudo. Following the death of Shinpo Matayoshi in 1997, Matayoshi Kobudo practitioners now find themselves split into different organisations.
Thanks to the extensive teaching of Matayoshi Shinpo and his students, Matayoshi Kobudo has great influence and respect around the world and an estimated 2000 dojos can now be found worldwide.

Weapons and kata

  • Bō - Shushi no kun, Choun no kun, Sakugawa no kun, Tsuken no kun, Shishi no kun,
  • Sai - Matayoshi No Sai Dai Ichi, Matayoshi No Sai Dai Ni, Shinbaru no sai
  • Tunkuwa - Matayoshi No Tunkuwa Dai Ichi, Matayoshi No Tunkuwa Dai Ni
  • Nunchaku - Nunchaku No Kata
  • Sansetsukon - Sansetsukun No Kata Ichi and Ni
  • Eku - Chikin Akachu No Eku Di
  • Nunti-Bo - NuntiBo No Kata
  • Tinbei+Seiryuto - Timbei No Kata
  • Kama - Kama Nu Ti
  • Suruchin - Suruchin No Kata
  • Kuwa - Kuwa Nu Ti
  • Jo - Jojutsu no kata
  • Tekko - Tekko no kata
  • Tecchyu - Tecchyu no kata
  • KurumanBo - KurumanBo no kata

    Matayoshi Soke lineage

The Matayoshi Family Home is above the Kodokan dojo in Naha Okinawa. Matayoshi Yasushi is the spiritual head of the Kodokan as appointed by his father but he has never practiced Matayoshi Kobudo. At the time of his death, Matayoshi Sensei's next in line for technical competence was Yoshiaki Gakiya.
Family lineage:
  • Shingin Matayoshi
  • Shintoku Matayoshi
  • Shinchin Matayoshi
  • Shinko Matayoshi
  • Shinko Matayoshi
  • Shinpo Matayoshi
  • Yasushi Matayoshi
  • Yasushi Matayoshi
Tha Matayoshi Kobudo Headquarters is in Naha, Okinawa.

Matayoshi Lineage Associations

Dojos operating under the All Okinawa Kobudo Federation :
  • Maeshiro Shusei, only one to receive the 10th dan from Shinpo Matayoshi
  • Ryuseikan, of Kinjo Kenichi
  • Gibo Dojo, Gibo Seiki
  • Azuma Shunji
  • Miyagi Koki
  • Taira Yoshio
  • Takushi Seiki
Official branches of the Kodokan honbu dojo:
  • Osaka Sakai Shureikan, Murayama Seitetsu
  • Kodokan Nagoya Shibu, Ishido Hidehiko
  • Hayasaka Yoshifumi
  • Kodokan Nishinomiya Shibu, Raymundo Veliz
Former students of Master Matayoshi, who have split voluntarily or were expelled after 1997 :
  • Seisho Itokazu: Matayoshi Kobudo Shinbukai
  • Yoshiyaki Gakiya, now Neil Stolsmark: Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai
  • Josei Yogi: Okinawa Kobudo Renseikai
  • Ryukyu Kobudo shureikan: Shusei Maeshiro
  • Mikio Nishiuchi: International Okinawa Kobudo Association USA
  • Nippon Budo Club, Seisuke Adaniya
  • Komesu Yamashiro dojo, Kenichi Yamashiro
  • Kobudo Shurei no kuni, Hidetada Ishiki
  • Kamura Koshin
Former students of Master Matayoshi, who have split voluntarily or were expelled before 1997 :
  • Tetsuhiro Hokama: Kenshikai Karatedo Kobudo Association
  • Takashi Kinjo: Okinawa Budo Kokusai Renmei and the Okinawa Kobukai
  • Kenyu Chinen: World Oshu-Kai Dento Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate Do Kobudo Federation
  • Zenei Oshiro: Academie Internationale de kobudo d'Okinawa
Matayoshi Shinpo's sensei Foreigners students:
  • Kimo Wall : Okinawa Kodokan
  • Andrea Guarelli : International Matayoshi kobudo Association