Kiseikan Kobudo

What is Matayoshi Kobudo?

Matayoshi Kobudo is a traditional Okinawan martial art that focuses on weapon training, preserving centuries-old techniques passed down through generations. The term “Kobudo” translates to “Ancient Martial Way”, reflecting its historical roots and the disciplined methodology behind its practice.

Origins and History

Matayoshi Kobudo originates from the Ryukyu archipelago, with Okinawa as its largest island. For much of its history, the Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent nation, rich in its own language, culture, and governance. Although it maintained tributary ties with both China and Japan, its sovereignty came to an end in 1609 when the Satsuma clan from Kyushu, Japan, invaded. The Ryukyu Kingdom remained semi-autonomous under Japanese control until 1868, when it was formally annexed as a Japanese prefecture.

The Matayoshi lineage played a vital role in preserving and refining Okinawan martial traditions. Matayoshi Shinchin, an inheritor of these arts and whose ancestors belonged to the Pechin class, an elite warrior-administrator rank in Okinawan society, passed his knowledge onto his son, Matayoshi Shinko. Shinko deepened his knowledge through extensive travels to China and Manchuria, where he reconnected with the martial roots of his heritage.

Shinko’s son, Matayoshi Shinpo (1921-1997), took a pivotal step in spreading Okinawan martial arts globally. He founded the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan dojo and established the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei organisation in the 1970s, ensuring the preservation and continued growth of Matayoshi Kobudo. His son, Matayoshi Yasushi, remains committed to his father’s legacy, maintaining the Kodokan, sharing the art of Matayoshi Kobudo and fostering connections among practitioners worldwide.

Weapons of Matayoshi Kobudo

Matayoshi Kobudo incorporates a diverse range of Okinawan weapons, many of which originated from everyday farming and fishing tools repurposed for self-defense. The core weapons in the Matayoshi syllabus include:

Bo (6-foot staff)
Sai (metal tridents)
Tonfa (wooden side-handled batons)
Nunchaku (small wooden flail)
Eku (Okinawan boat oar)
Kama (single-handed sickles)

As students progress, they may also train with additional advanced weapons such as:

Kuwa (hoe)
Tinbe (shield)
Nunti (spear)
Sansetsukon (three-section staff)
Suruchin (weighted rope/chain)
Tekko (brass knuckles)
Jo (short staff)
Kurumanbo (jointed stick)

Spirit and Philosophy

The Matayoshi family has long emphasised that martial arts are more than physical skill—they are a path to self-improvement, discipline, and integrity. Matayoshi Shinpo was known for his warmth and generosity, teaching that the true purpose of martial training is to develop individuals of good character. He firmly believed that Kobudo should only be passed down to those with pure intentions, ensuring that the art remains a force for protection and peace.

This philosophy continues today under Sōke Matayoshi Yasushi at the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan, guiding both teaching and practice within Kiseikan Dojo. Students are encouraged to approach their training with humility, respect, and a dedication to personal growth, reflecting the core values upheld by generations of Matayoshi practitioners.

Matayoshi Kobudo Today

Through the pioneering efforts of Shinpo Matayoshi, Matayoshi Kobudo has expanded across the globe, with dojos preserving and sharing its techniques worldwide. The Kodokan Dojo remains the central hub for the art, upholding the traditions passed down through the Matayoshi lineage.

In the United Kingdom, Kiseikan is officially approved by the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan and the Matayoshi family and is dedicated to maintaining the authenticity of the art. By upholding rigorous training and historical integrity, Matayoshi Kobudo remains a living testament to Okinawa’s rich martial heritage.

Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan

Dojo Kun

道場訓

光
道
館

座
右
の
銘

武
と
磨
か
ん
と

欲
さ
ば

先
ず
心
を
磨
け

心
正
し

か
ら
ざ
れ
ば

武
も
ま
た

正
し
か
ら
ず

心
を
磨
く

道
な
り

士
魂
正
気
貫
古
今

If one wishes to train his martial arts,
First he must train his mind.
If the mind is not true,
His martial arts are also not true.
The path that we tread, to train the mind,
Is the same path that the Matayoshi Kobudo had trodden.
Be true to the self, and tread on the path of righteousness.