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Matayoshi Kobudo

Okinawan Kobudo Means "the old martial way of Okinawa", referring to the classical weapons systems of Okinawa.

Matayoshi Kobudo is the Okinawan weapons system taught by the Matayoshi family, based in Okinawa, Japan.

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Shinko Matayoshi

Shinpo Matayoshi

Itokazu Seisho

Richard Bennett

Matayoshi Shinko was asked to demonstrate Kobudo for the Japanese Emperor, and he was so impressed by his perfermance he awarded the Matayoshi Family the Royal emblem to wear as their kobudo logo.  His son, Shinpo Matayoshi, later started a dojo in the memory of his father and called it the "Kodokan", and began to teach a variety of traditional weapons associated with Okinawan peasants such as the oar, hoe, and sickles. 

 

List of Matayoshi Weapons:

  • Bo (Staff)

  • Sai - both standard and nunti sai

  • Tonkua (Tonfa)

  • Nunchaku

  • Eiku (Oar)

  • Kuwa (hoe)

  • Tinbei (Chinese short sword and small shield)

  • Nunti Bo 

  • Sansetsukon (Three section staff)

  • Kama

  • Surunchin

Matayoshi Kobudo Shinbukai

Matayoshi Kobudo Shinbukai is an association created by Itokazu Seisho, and is based in Naha - Okinawa, Japan.  Itokazu Seisho was the chief instructor of the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan dojo for 10 years after the death of Shinpo Matayoshi.  The character "Shin" represents the characters for both Shinko and Shinpo Matayoshi, while the "Bu" for Budo.  Itokazu Seisho is currently a 9th degree black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo as the president of the Shinbukai, and a 10th degree black belt in Uechi Ryu as the president of the Konan Ryu lineage created by his father - Itokazu Seiki.

Matayosho Shinbukai follows the same kata training regiment as taught by the Kodokan:

Bo Kata

  • Shushi no kun

  • Choun no kun

  • Sakugawa no kun

  • Chikin no kun

  • Shishi no kun

Sai Kata

  • Nicho sai

  • Sancho sai

  • Shinbaru no sai

Tonkua Kata

  • Tonkua dai ichi

  • Tonkua dai ni

 

Advanced Weapons Kata List

  • Nunchaku no kata

  • Nunti no kata

  • Chikin Akachi no eku di

  • Kuwa no kata

  • Tinbe no kata

  • Kama no kata

  • Sansetsukon no kata

  • Surunchin no kata

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Matayoshi Shinbukai affiliation patch worn by members affiliated with the Kobudo headquarters in Okinawa, Japan.

Bennetts Karate is a directly affiliated dojo representing Matayoshi Shinbukai in the United States.

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