The History of Matsumura Kenpo (Cont'd)

Hohan Soken was born in a time of great social change in Okinawa. The old feudal system was banished in 1868, but the old ways die hard. Although born into a samurai family, he was forced to work along side peasants at an early age. At age 13, he began training with Tanme Nabe in the basics of karate. Ten years of hard practice earned Hohan Soken the privilege of learning the white crane system. Master Soken became very proficient in Shorin Ryu karate and received the “Menkyo Kaiden”, certificate of full proficiency. Master Soken studied under other masters including the Chinese master Go-Genki who lived in Okinawa during the 1920’s. Sometime around 1927, Soken moved from Okinawa to Argentina where he found work as a photographer and dry cleaner. When he returned to Okinawa in 1945 after World War II, he saw that karate had changed with more emphasis on sport. Soken refused to change and stayed with the ancient ways and did much to establish and interest in the old Shorin Ryu ways as well as Kobudo. Master Soken retired from teaching karate in 1978 and passed away in 1982 at the age of 93.

About Matsumura Kenpo

Matsumura Kenpo was founded by Kuda Yuichi (1928-1999) Hanshi Judan. When Kuda O'sensei was 18, he began training under a man named Ishikawa. Later he trained with Nakazato Shugou and Namkamura Shigeru in Okinawa Kenpo. After his training in Okinawa Kenpo, he sought out training from Hohan Soken and in 1970 he formed his own dojo, Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Kobukan in Urasoe City. Upon Soken's death, Kuda began calling his style Matsumura Kenpo and devised his own kata as characteristic of this style (Niseidi, Kobudi, Tunfa, Kama, Nitanbo, Sai, Eku, and Bo), in addition to karate kata that he learned previously.

Matsumura Kenpo is a traditional system of Okinawan Karate based primarily on the Matsumura Seito of the late Hohan Soken. It should also be noted that Kuda shinshii trained on occasion with other Okinawan karateka such as Nagamine Shoshin, Higa Seitofu, and Uehara Seikichi of Motobu ryu. The latter influence being seen in numerous kata and tuidi techniques found in Matsumura Kenpo.

Like many other styles of Shorin ryu karate, Matsumura Kenpo can be generally characterized by upright, highly mobile stances and by fast linear kicking and striking techniques. However, as with all systems, there are techniques that fall beyond this generalization. The main emphasis is on an effective, non-flashy array of techniques ranging from basic blocks and punches to the more advanced tuidi and kyusho jutsu. All techniques can be found in the kata with the more advanced techniques residing within the most advanced kata.

The honbu dojo, the Kobukan, is located in Urasoe City, Okinawa and classes are taught daily by Kuda Tomosada.

For a complete listing of Matsumura Kenpo kata, see the articles section.

Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate Kobudo Association organizational structure.