Category Archives: Matayoshi Kobudo

Tsuken was neither known for Tsuken-bō nor Jigen-ryū, but for horsemanship

As mentioned before, today Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku is considered the originator of Tsuken Bō and an expert in Jigen-ryū swordmanship. Even an English Wikipedia entry says he “was good at riding horses and Jigen-ryū,” presenting the Kyūyō as the source. The Kyūyō … Continue reading

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Tsuken Akan’chū and the impossibility of a direct personal instruction by Tsuken Uēkata

In my previous article I shared the story of Tsuken Uēkata. At the end of that story, Tsuken Uēkata was interned in Kagoshima after his political intrigue was discovered. So, how, and when did he create Tsuken-bō, and how was … Continue reading

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Tsuken no Kon

(Note: The following is the translation of the abstract of Yoshifumi Hayasaka’s “Martial arts of the Satsuma Domain that influenced the martial arts of Ryūkyū (Tsuken no Kon)” presented at the 55th Conference of the Japanese Academy of Budo in … Continue reading

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About Ryūkyū / Okinawa Kobudō / Kobujutsu / Bugei / Bujutsu etc.pp., or in short: Have a salad!

Where does the word kobudō in relation to Okinawa or Ryūkyū originate from? Ryūkyū Kobudō is distinguished from Nihon Kobudō, but when was it defined and classified as a composite word and category of Japanese budō? First of all, kobudō … Continue reading

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Matayoshi’s Imperial Medal, or: The Art of Creative Reinterpretation in Postwar Kobudō-Historiography

Okinawa karate and kobudō is an amazing realm of sport, fitness, self-protection, and culture. It can be many different things for many different people. Embedded within the Okinawa karate kobudō landscape with its emblems, dōjō, photos, certificates, costumes, world championships … Continue reading

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Fourth Installation on Ufutun Bō

The following info is found in literature: Ufutun no Bō (aka Mēkata no Bō) In today’s Yaese Town Ufutun (the former Gushichan Ufutun). When and where performed: During Abushibarē in the 4th month of the old lunar calendar. This bōjutsu … Continue reading

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Follow-up on Ufutun Bō

Previously I wrote about Ufutun Bō. As is often the case, there were no tangible answers or new informations shared by even the most authorative persons. In Okinawan martial arts, there are official narratives and these are strictly to be … Continue reading

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Shitsuden and Shinden

The term shitsuden 失伝 means disruption; interruption; non-continuation; to fall into desuetude; the loss of a tradition, a practice, a custom, etc. It can mean the loss of a full tradition, such as a complete school or style (ryūha), or … Continue reading

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Matayoshi Kobudō – Genealogy 1999

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Matayoshi Kobudō – Teaching and Examination Subjects (Original 1972; revised 1977; revised 1984)

All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation (Incorporated Body) – Teaching and Examination Subjects Revised on February 19, 1984 3rd Kyū Examination Subjects (teaching subjects for those without kyū grade) Qualification of candidacy for examination: Those who have been training for not less than … Continue reading

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