The Matayoshi Kobudo system was formed by the work of two remarkable instructors, father and son, who dedicated their lives to leave us the legacy of their style. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei and his son, Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei, through their system, they influenced many other Kobudo schools, which are practiced today.

MATAYOSHI SHINKO SENSEI

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 the 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 Ueku-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, Timbe-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.

MATAYOSHI SHINPO SENSEI

Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei, son of Matayoshi Shinko Sensei and successor to the Matayoshi line of Kobudo, was born in Okinawa in Yomitan Village, located in the Kina District on December 27, 1921. Shinpo Sensei was introduced to the martial arts by his father at the very young age of 6. However, Matayoshi Shinko Sensei did not limit his son to the practice of Kobudo; he also exposed Shinpo Sensei to Kingai Ryu, a White Crane open hand system. In 1937, Shinpo Sensei's father also introduced him to the open hand system of Hakaku Kempo, which he learned from Gokenki Sensei. Although Shinpo Sensei would have various instructors throughout his life, his father remained his lifelong instructor and mentor.

Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei remained in Okinawa until 1938, when he moved to Kawasaki-Shi in Kanagawa-Ken. He spent 19 years in the city of Kawasaki teaching and training. The year 1957 brought Shinpo Sensei back to Okinawa, where he taught kobudo predominantly in Goju Ryu dojos, namely that of Higa Sensei. While teaching Kobudo in various Karate dojos, Matayoshi Sensei realized that Karate was growing in popularity, where as Kobudo was not. Matayoshi Sensei wanted to increase the exposure of Kobudo among the people of Okinawa, so he decided to form his own dojo.

In 1960, Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei founded his Kobudo dojo in the city of Naha, and he called it the "Kodokan" in memory of, and as a dedication to his teacher and mentor Matayoshi Shinko Sensei. The significance of "Kodokan" is based on the kanji "Ko" (meaning "Light"), and is a tribute to the "Ko" from Shinko; for what Kodokan translates to the "Hall of the Enlightened Way".

Once Matayoshi Sensei opened his dojo, he focused on contacting Kobudo instructors and students all over Japan. His intention was to unite Kobudo practitioners under one goal; to not only to spread the art of Kobudo, but also to try to maintain the traditions that had been passed down from Kobudo Sensei's of earlier days. Matayoshi Sensei had a strong interest in promoting Kobudo among young students to help make them better citizens and contributors to society.

As a result of this interest, Matayoshi Sensei formed the Ryukyu Kobudo Association in 1960. This association became the foundation of the Zen Okinawa Renmei or All Okinawa Kobudo League, which formed in 1972 and still exists today.

Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei passed away in Okinawa on September 7, 1997, at the age of 76.

MATAYOSHI YASUSHI SOKE

After the passing of Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei in 1997, his second son Matayoshi Yasushi, inherited the leadership of the Kodokan Dojo to continue the work of his father. His title of Soke of the Dojo reflects the wish of his father. His function as head of the Kodokan is very important since he provides guidance and spiritual support for the Dojo to enable it to operate under the same guidelines that Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei established. His work is directly related to support Itokazu Sensei since he is the technical director of the Kodokan.

Matayoshi Yasushi's involvement with the martial arts is always notorious. Currently he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Okinawa-Ken Karate-Do Renmei and President of the Okinawa Prefecture branch of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

ITOKAZU SEISHO SENSEI

Itokazu Seisho Sensei was born on June 4,1945 in Osaka. He began his practice in the martial arts at an early age under the guidance of his father, who was a very respectful Karate instructor in Okinawa. Initially he was involved with the practice of Karate; earning his black belt in Konnan Ryu (Uechi Ryu).

Itokazu Sensei began his practice in Kobudo also under the guidance of his father and later on turned his training under Matayoshi Shinpo who became a very important influence in Itokazu Sensei's life.

During the years that Itokazu Sensei had trained under Matayoshi Sensei he earned his reputation and the Matayoshi Family has appointed him as the Kancho (Technical Director) of the Kodokan Dojo.

At the present Itokazu Sensei is a Kyu Dan (9th Degree Black Belt) in Konnan Ryu Karate, and Hachi Dan (8th Degree Black Belt) in Matayoshi Kobudo. He is not only the technical director of the Kodokan Dojo, but also the Chief Instructor of his own Dojo, the Seibukan Dojo in Naha.

In accordance with the dedication of Matayoshi Sensei, Itokazu Sensei is as committed to promoting the art throughout the world as Matayoshi Sensei was. Itokazu Sensei visited the USA for the first time in 1998 when he came sponsored by Sanguinetti Sensei to teach at the 1st Annual MKKU International Gasshuku. Since then, he has been back to the USA invited by the MKKU to teach in San Diego in the 3rd (2000) and 7th (2004) Annual MKKU International Gasshuku. He was schedule to come in 2006 to teach in the 9th Annual MKKU International Gasshuku but due to a medical illness he couldn't attend. His last visit to San Diego was in February 2008 when he came to teach the 11th Annual MKKU Gasshuku.