All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation (Incorporated Body), General Headquarters: Kōdōkan.
The favorite motto of the Kōdōkan
- To hone your martial arts, first hone your heart
- If your heart isn’t right, your martial arts isn’t right either
- To hone the heart is the Way; the soul of a samurai, the true heart, the past and present.
Instruction (dōjōkun)
Shin (mind): Through training in budō, we strive to refine our minds and develop our character, contributing to society.
Gi (skill): Through training in budō, we will improve our skills, pass on its essence, and strive to spread and develop it.
Tai (body): By forging our bodies through practicing budō, we aim to develop a physically and mentally fulfilling body.
1. Historical Development of the All-Okinawa Kobudō League (Incorporated Body)
Master Matayoshi Shinkō was born in Kakinohana-Chō Naha City, in 1888. Born the third son of Matayoshi Shinchin, Shinkō Sensei spent his childhood in the village of Shinbaru, Chatan.
In his youth, Shinkō studied bōjutsu, uēku(kai)-jutsu, kama-jutsu, and sai-jutsu from Master Agena Uēkata (well-known as Gushichan Tēra-gwā) in Gushikawa Village. Moreover, Shinkō Sensei studied tunkuwā-jutsu and nunchaku-jutsu from Master Irei, who lived in Nosato, Chatan.
In 1921, Shinkō Sensei had an amazing opportunity to demonstrate his kobudō skills at a large event. This event was a welcoming party for the Shōwa Emperor (who was a Prince at the time). Shinkō Sensei demonstrated with Gōjū-ryū Master Miyagi Chōjun at this welcoming ceremony.
Master Matayoshi was called on a knight errantry in 1922. He would travel to Hokkaidō, Saharin [Sakhalin], and Manchuria as well as other places during his 13-years trip. During his travels he spent many years living with nomadic tribes, learning bajutsu (horseback riding) and shurikenjutsu. As well,during those years he studied Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture from Kingai Sensei, and while living in Fuchenghe China, Shaolin Kenpō.
During the 13-years period that Shinkō Sensei was absent from Okinawa, he made a few trips back to Japan. One of those trips occurred in 1928. Master Matayoshi returned to Tōkyō and performed at the Imperial Memorial Budō Demonstration in the Meiji Shrine. The demonstration gave Shinkō Sensei the chance to perform alongside Master Funakoshi Gichin. At this demonstration, Master Matayoshi amazed everyone with his tunkwājutsu and kamajutsu techniques.
In 1935 Shinkō Sensei returned to Okinawa for good. He settled in Naha City where he continued to study with many other martial arts masters. Master Matayoshi was often referred to as “Kama nu Tī Matēshi” (Matayoshi the Kama) and “Shinbaru nu Matēshi,” as he was very popular with the people.
Master Matayoshi Shinkō passed away in 1947 at the age of 59.
Matayoshi Shinpō was born in December of 1921, in Kina in Yomitan Village. He began his study of kobudō at an early age and was raised with masters like Miyagi Chōjun Sensei around his home and his father’s dōjō. He quickly became one of his father’s highest-ranking students in kobudō.
After World War II, Shinpō Sensei taught kobudō in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. He returned to Okinawa in 1960 and began teaching kobudō in Master Higa’s dōjō, as well as other dōjō. Master Matayoshi Shinpō began to think that karate was becoming more popular than kobudō, and that kobudō needed more instructors to help popularize it.
Shinpō Sensei began his quest to spread kobudō by establishing his own dōjō. He named his dōjō “Kōdōkan” for his father, Master Shinkō. He took the character kō (which means “light”) from his father’s name, Shinkō (which means “true light”). He combined it with the Japanese characters dō and kan to form Kōdōkan, which means “The House of True Light.”
After the establishment of the Kōdōkan dōjō, Shinpō Sensei began contacting kobudō teachers and students all over Japan. In 1970 they unified to create the “Ryūkyū Kobudō Federation.”
The goal of this organization was to keep the traditions and spirit carried by the old masters alive and well in the next generation of kobudō students and teachers. As well, the organization intended to train the younger students to contribute to their society, as popularize kobudō at the same time.
In May 1972, this organization was reorganized to form the “All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation.” After the birth of the All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation, the members began to promote a kobudō festival and demonstration each year. As well, members of the federation visited several regions and institutions promoting and demonstrating kobudō. These same members of the All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation also demonstrated in many national events.
In 1973, Master Matayoshi Shinpō visited Europe and the United States, teaching kobudō in order to popularize kobudō abroad. In 1983, the All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation sent a group of instructors to visit South America, Central America, and the United States to help spread the teachings of Okinawa Kobudō throughout the world.
The All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation is making great progress on its quest to spread kobudō throughout the world. In fact, the All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation now has students in America, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia as well as other countries. As well, the federation is also having great success in creating an international understanding between kobudō students and martial artists throughout the world.
2. Types of Kata
1. Bōjutsu (konpō)
- Shūshi no Kon
- Chōun no Kon
- Sakugawa no Kon
- Tsuken no Kon
- Soeishi no Kon
2. Saijutsu
- Nichōsai (Sai 1)
- Sanchōsai (Sai 2)
- Senbaru no Sai
3. Nunchaku
- Nunchaku kata
4. Tonkwājutsu
- Tonkwā 1
- Tonkwā 2
5. Nuntījutsu
- Nuntī kata
6. Kamajutsu
- Kama nu Tī
7. Tinbējutsu
- Tinbē kata
8. Suruchinjutsu
- Suruchin kata
9. Uēkujutsu
- Tsuken (Chikin) Akanchū no Uēku-dī
10. Kuwajutsu
- Kē nu Tī
11. Sansetsukonjutsu
- Sansetsukon kata
12. Others
- Tecchū (iron pillar)
- Tekkō (iron backfist)
- Kurumanbō (flail)
3. Kōdōkan Ranking Requirements (Guideline for Teaching)
Teaching subjects for 3rd kyū
- 1. Bōjutsu: Basic techniques, 1st Set
- 2. Saijutsu: Basic techniques
Teaching subjects for 2nd kyū
- 1. Bōjutsu: Basic techniques, 2nd Set
- 2. Tonkwājutsu: Basic techniques
Teaching subjects for 1st kyū
- 1. Bōjutsu: Basic techniques, 3rd Set
- 2. Bōjutsu: Basic techniques with a partner (kumiwaza)
Teaching subjects for 1st dan
- 1. Bōjutsu: The bō kata of Shūshi no Kon
- 2. Saijutsu: The sai kata of Nichōsai (Sai 1)
- 3. Kumiwaza (partner techniques): Analysis (bunkai) of kata, practical (ōyō) techniques with a partner (kumiwaza)
Teaching subjects for 2nd dan
- 1. Bōjutsu: The bō kata of Chōun no Kon
- 2. Tonkwājutsu: The 1st kata of the Tonkwā
- 3. Kumiwaza (partner techniques): Analysis (bunkai) of kata, practical (ōyō) techniques with a partner (kumiwaza)
Teaching subjects for 3rd dan
- 1. Bōjutsu: The bō kata of Sakugawa no Kon
- 2. Nunchaku: The kata of the Nunchaku
- 3. Kumiwaza (partner techniques): Analysis (bunkai) of kata, practical (ōyō) techniques with a partner (kumiwaza)
Teaching subjects for 4th dan
- 1. Bōjutsu: The bō kata of Tsuken no Kon
- 2. Saijutsu: The sai kata of Sanchōsai (Sai 2)
- 3. Nuntījutsu: The kata of the Nuntī
- 4. Kumiwaza: Analysis (bunkai) of kata, practical (ōyō) techniques with a partner (kumiwaza)
Basic techniques of bōjutsu
First set
| No. | technique | target | stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jōdan uchi | head | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 2 | Jōdan naname uchi | neck | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 3 | Chūdan yoko uchi | side of body | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 4 | Gedan yoko uchi | ankle | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 5 | Chūdan kake uke zuki | throat | Nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
Second set
| No. | technique | target | stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gedan harai uke, Jōdan naname uchi | neck | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 2 | Gedan hane uke, Gedan nuki bō | instep | kōkutsu-dachi, heisoku-dachi |
| 3 | Sunakake (sand throw) | eye | nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
| 4 | Gedan osae uke | shiko-dachi, kōkutsu-dachi | |
| 5 | Gyaku uchi, gyaku zuki | chin, throat | zenkutsu-dachi |
Third set
| No. | technique | target | stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gedan yoko uke, Jōdan naname uchi | neck | shiko-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
| 2 | Jōdan Naname uchi, Jōdan nuki bō | temple, throat | zenkutsu-dachi, heisoku-dachi |
| 3 | Chūdan nagashi uchi, Gedan uke, jōdan naname uchi | armpit, neck | zenkutsu-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
| 4 | Gedan yoko uke, Gedan osae uke, jōdan naname uchi | neck | shiko-dachi, kōkutsu-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
| 5 | Gorenda (Jōdan naname uchi, kaeshi uchi, Jōdan uchi, chūdan kaeshi uchi, Jōdan naname uchi) | neck, chin, head, trunk, neck | zenkutsu-dachi |
Basic techniques of saijutsu
| No. | technique | target | stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jōdan mawashi uchi | temple | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 2 | Jōdan uke | kihon-dachi | |
| 3 | Chūdan zuki | ribs | kihon-dachi |
| 4 | Chūdan harai uke | zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 5 | Gedan harai uke | zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 6 | Gedan uke | zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 7 | Chūdan zuki, Jōdan mawashi uchi, gedan uke | kihon-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 8 | Chūdan zuki, gedan harai uke, jōdan nuki, gedan uke | kihon-dachi, nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 9 | Chūdan zuki, chūdan harai uke, gedan harai uke, kote uchi, gedan uke | kihon-dachi, nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 10 | Chūdan zuki, chūdan harai uke, mawashi kote uchi, gedan uke | kihon-dachi, nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
Basic techniques of tonkwājutsu
| No. | technique | target | stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jōdan yoko uchi | temple | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 2 | Jōdan uke | kihon-dachi | |
| 3 | Chūdan zuki | ribs | kihon-dachi |
| 4 | Chūdan nuki | throat | nekoashi-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi |
| 5 | Gedan yoko uchi | knee | zenkutsu-dachi |
| 6 | Gedan uke | zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 7 | Ue (jō) uchi, Jōdan mawashi uchi | zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 8 | Chūdan zuki, Gedan harai uke, Gedan harai uke, jōdan uchi | kihon-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 9 | Chūdan zuki, Gedan harai uke,jōdan yoko uchi, Jōdan uchi | kihon-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi | |
| 10 | Chūdan zuki, nikai (2x) mawashi uchi | kihon-dachi |
(ommission)
Study Application Form – All-Okinawa Kobudō Federation
Mr. Shinpo Matayoshi, President
- Date
- Student Name:
- Address:
- State / Country:
- Telephone:
- Home Dojo and Teacher’s Name:
- Intended Stay in Okinawa: Weeks Months
I promise to keep rules and regulations of the dojo and perform to the best of my ability and be a good ambassador for KOBUDO.
Signed:
OVERSEAS STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE!
A letter of recommendation from your branch is necessary to study at OKINAWA KODOKAN. Students should be accompanied by the above study application form, and a 5000 Yen Study fee per month.
(END)
Translator’s / editor’s note: The original was kindly provided by Michael Calandra, given to him in 1997 by Gakiya Yoshiaki. The contents were only slightly edited here for better readability.
© 2022, Andreas Quast. All rights reserved.