History of Matayoshi Shinko Sensei

[sirdarksol]

Matayoshi Shinko, originator of Matayoshi Kobudo, was born in Naha, Okinawa in 1888. He was the son of Matayoshi Shinchin, a wealthy businessman. Unlike his two brothers, Matayoshi Shinko did not follow in his father's footsteps.
Matayoshi Shinko (who will be referred to simply as Matayoshi Sensei after this point) began to learn the weapons arts in Okinawa, studying under Irei Sensei. He learned a couple of weapons during this time before he went off to find "adventure" in Manchuria. This adventure is reported by some martial artists of the style to be piracy. During his time with these people, pirates or otherwise, Matayoshi Sensei began to broaden the horizons of his arts. His travels lead him to Shanghai, where he learned Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine under Kinkoruoshi. He later learned Shorinji-Kempo in Fuchow, China.
Matayoshi Sensei had a very unique chance because of his wide range of studies. In 1915, Matayoshi Sensei demonstrated Tonkua-jutsu (also known as Tonfa-jutsu) and Kama-jutsu at the Imperial Memorial Budo Demonstration Festival in the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. This was the first time that Okinawan Kobudo had been demonstrated in mainland Japan.
A second historical chance was given Matayoshi Sensei when Prince Hirohito (Showa) visited Okinawa in 1921. He once again demonstrated his art before an august audience. At the same time, Miyagi Chogun Sensei, the founder of Goju Ryu, demonstrated Karate.
In 1935, Matayoshi Sensei returned to Okinawa to stay, settling in Naha, and using his life's experiences to shape the arts he had learned into Matayoshi Kobudo. The style became an organized system of many of the Okinawan weapons, as well as a few weapons from outside of Okinawa.
Matayoshi Sensei died in 1947 at the age of 59, a loss to all those who would follow in his martial footsteps. Thankfully, he left a son, Matayoshi Shinpo, to continue the style.

[sirdarling]

I may be biased due to being a student of his Kobudo Style, but it never ceases to amaze me how awesome of a life our founder had!
It is a constant selling point that I use when I am talking to prospective students, though I have yet to increase our class size, hahaha. but i do try.

[sirdarksol]

I thought you'd like this write-up. You know, the kusari-gama is a weapon listed as having been used by ninja sometimes. And Matayoshi sensei was a pirate at one time.
This means that we are learning a ninja/pirate hybrid of a martial art.

[Shinobi_Kokujin]

good stuff i wouldnt be surprised if some of his ship mates were ninja looking for work an adventure