Ham's Martial Arts Association

Matayoshi Kobudo is a general term referring to the style of Okinawan Kobudo that was developed by Matayoshi Shinpo 又吉眞豊 and Matayoshi Shinko 又吉眞光 during the Twentieth Century. Martial arts have been practiced by the Matayoshi family for over 9 generations and draw influence from Japanese, Chinese and indigenous Okinawan martial arts styles.

Thanks to the extensive teaching of Matayoshi Shinpo and his students, Matayoshi Kobudo has great influence and respect around the world and an estimated 2000 dojos can now be found worldwide.

In the early 20th century Matayoshi Shinko 又吉眞光 was asked to demonstrate Kobudo to the Japanese Emperor. He did this twice alongside the likes of Chojun Miyagi and Gichin Funakoshi.

Following the death of Matayoshi Shinko in 1947, his son Shinpo, continued his father's legacy by teaching kobudo. Matayoshi Shinpo started a dojo in the 1970s in memory of his father and called it the Kodokan 光道館. From the Kodokan he taught a wide variety of traditional weapons associated with Okinawan peasants. In 1972, Matayoshi Sensei created the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei as an organisation dedicated to the teaching and studying of Okinawa Kobudo. Following the death of Shinpo Matayoshi in 1997, Matayoshi Kobudo practitioners now find themselves split into different organisations.

• Bō (6 ft Staff) - Shushi no kun, Choun no kun, Sakugawa no kun, Tsuken (Chikin) no kun, Shishi no kun,
• Sai (Small Trident) - Matayoshi No Sai Dai Ichi (Nicho Sai), Matayoshi No Sai Dai Ni (Sancho Sai), Shinbaru / Chinbaru no sai
• Tonfa (Wooden Side handled Batton) - Matayoshi No Tunkua Dai Ichi, Matayoshi No Tunkua Dai Ni
• Nunchaku (Threshing short staff) - Nunchaku No Kata
• Sansetsukon (Three Sectional Staff) - Hakuho, Sansetsukun No Kata
• Eku (Boat Oar) - Tsuken Hakachu No Eku Di
• Nunti-Bo (Spear) - Nunti No Kata
• Tinbei (Shield) - Timbei No Kata
• Kama (Short sickles) - Kama No Te
• Surujin (Weighted rope / Chain) - Suruchin No Kata
• Kuwa (Hoe) - Kuwa No Te