Shinko Matayoshi
Encyclopedia
Shinko Matayoshi was one of the best-known Masters of Okinawa
Kobudo
Matayoshi Kobudo
.
Born in 1888 in Naha-shi at Senburu, he studied the bo
, eku, kama
and sai
under the direction of Master Shokuho Agena. He later studied the tonfa
and nunchaku
with Master Irei. From 1911 until 1915 Matayoshi lived in Manchuria where he studied Chinese martial arts. In 1921 he gave a demonstration of his skills
during Prince Hirohito
's visit to Okinawa. He later traveled to Shanghai, and returned to Okinawa around 1935 where he died in 1947.
Shinko Matayoshi was succeeded as Soke
(headmaster) of Matayoshi kobudo by his son, Shinpo Matayoshi (1921-1997).
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
Kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
Matayoshi Kobudo
Matayoshi Kobudo
Matayoshi Kobudo is a style of Okinawan Kobudo that was developed by Matayoshi Shinpo during the Twentieth Century. Martial arts have been practiced by the Matayoshi family for over 9 generations. The honbu dojo for Matayoshi Kobudo is the Kodokan and can be found in Naha, Okinawa...
.
Born in 1888 in Naha-shi at Senburu, he studied the bo
Bo (weapon)
A bō or kon , is a long staff weapon used in Okinawa and feudal Japan. Bō are typically around long and are now used in Japanese martial arts, in particular bōjutsu...
, eku, kama
Kama (weapon)
The is a traditional Filipino and Japanese farming implement similar to a small scythe used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon...
and sai
Sai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
under the direction of Master Shokuho Agena. He later studied the tonfa
Tonfa
The tonfa , also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon. It is a stick with a handle, and is about 15-20 inches long. It was traditionally made from red oak and wielded in pairs...
and nunchaku
Nunchaku
is a traditional Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.-Etymology:The Japanese word nunchaku is the Kun'yomi reading of the Kanji term for a traditional Chinese two section staff....
with Master Irei. From 1911 until 1915 Matayoshi lived in Manchuria where he studied Chinese martial arts. In 1921 he gave a demonstration of his skills
during Prince Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
's visit to Okinawa. He later traveled to Shanghai, and returned to Okinawa around 1935 where he died in 1947.
Shinko Matayoshi was succeeded as Soke
Soke
The word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
(headmaster) of Matayoshi kobudo by his son, Shinpo Matayoshi (1921-1997).