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Training in the
Nago, Okinawa Renshi-Kan dojo |
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About Okinawa Kobudo
Okinawa has a unique culture, one with traditions
and arts seen nowhere else in the world Among these
are the their origins in combative techniques.
Techniques developed, forged, and refined in the
space between life and death. The Okinawan people
can be proud of these arts. They have deep value,
and the essence of these methods of training the
body and mind is reflected throughout Okinawa's
traditional culture.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of these arts
is that their history shows them to be developed for
the protection of and livelihood by a people who did
not usually carry weapons. Practitioners of
Okinawa's empty hand methods developed their bodies
as weapons. They also used things from their
environment as weapons‑farming and fishing
implements, tools, stones, trees, and plants. The
use of these improvised weapons is connected to
martial techniques transmitted from as far back as
the Stone Age. As well as, techniques for special
weapons invented by women and used and developed by
warriors, merchants, townspeople, farmers,
fishermen, and so on developed. Finally, and perhaps
most importantly, weapons and techniques were also
imported to Okinawa from China. Many of these
weapons and techniques are still in existence in
today's kobudo and kobujutsu. It is no exaggeration
to say that from their varied beginnings they were,
in large, part brought to their current form with
influence from Chinese martial arts.
As for the kata, in times past people went into and
returned from the place of life and death with a
particular profound intensity. The techniques and
spirit they accumulated are bequeathed to us in the
kata. Those that aspire to the craft are able to
access the true source in their pursuit of knowledge
by earnestly working to feel the techniques and
spirit of the kata. The kata includes practical
techniques of offense and defense. Techniques
skillfully combined and ones assuming opponents in
all directions. There are people who waste time with
tricks, competitions, and other popular things and
come to ignore kata. However, by either diligently
doing other things or due to a bit of carelessness
it can honestly be said that through their own
negligence they are unable to gain even one secret.
Through the
characters that make it up, the character "bu"
(military arts/ chivalry) implies "stopping the
spear," and therefore carries a sense of peace. In a
place where chivalry's true meaning, its virtue, and
the spirit of peace become one, lies the true
intention of "bu." Those who are studying budo today
should take from this, and from the spirit of others
practicing budo, a reminder that they should
demonstrate in their daily lives this "budo
intention." They should live with a sense that
"everything is to be done with sincerity."
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Gakiya Yoshiaki
8th Dan
Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-Kai
Founder |
Gakiya Yoshiaki was born in Showa 25 (1950), in Yomitan village in
Okinawa prefecture. In 1967 he began studying
Goju-ryu Karate under Fukichi Seiko, and in 1980 he
began studying Shorin-ryu Karate under Nakamura
Yoshio. In 1975 he joined the All Okinawa Kobudo
Association, entering it's main dojo, the Kodokan,
and training under Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei. He
became Matayoshi Sensei's right hand man, and worked
diligently as the main instructor at the Kodokan
Dojo and traveling around Japan and overseas in
an effort to teach and popularize the art of Kobudo.
In 1997, after Matayoshi Sensei passed away, he was
appointed the second Kancho (president) of the
Kodokan Dojo, and as successor continued to work for
it's expansion and development. After 5 years, he
respectfully resigned his position at the Kodokan. In January of Heisei 14 (2002), he founded the
Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai. He built the Renshikan Dojo as a place where kindred spirits in
the study of Okinawa Kobudo could come to train hard
and polish their character. On June 30th 2011 Gakiya Sensei retired from
the organization and appointed Neil Stolsmark as president of Okinawa
Doushi Rensei-kai. The heart of Okinawa Kobudo will always reside on the
island of it's birth place, Okinawa. The administrative affairs of
the association will be facilitated here at Kokusai Honbu Dojo. |
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KOBUDO
TRADITIONAL OKINAWAN WEAPONRY
Attention Kobudo
Students:
Join the OKDR!
Obtain
Certification in Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-Kai
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Receive an Official Membership card
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Have
your rank registered.
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Support the heritage of Okinawa Kobudo
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Wear
official Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-Kai patch
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Train in
Okinawa and at the Honbu dojo
Kokusai Honbu-cho
International Administrative Headquarters
369 West Main St. Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
Neil Stolsmark 8th Dan
President
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The
meaning of the crest:
The
symbol in the center is called “Hidari
Mitsu-Domoe(three souls circling clockwise)
which is the crest of Ryukyu(Okinawa) royal
families, and we decorate nine crowns around the
symbol.
Our crest
expresses the hope that Okinawa Kobudo, the
traditional Okinawa martial arts, will expand
and develop through out the world by
Kushu-Rengyou and Kugyou-Kyukyoku of our
comrades.
Kushu-Rengyou:
Be skilled in martial arts through many years of
training.
Kugyou-Kyukyoku:
Master the true martial arts through unbearable
practice.
*Nine
crowns and Kushu-Rengyou, Kugyou-Kyukyoku
Nine
crowns express Kushu-Rengyou and Kugyou-Kyukyoku
by using the same beginning sounds of each of
the words. (Nine is pronounced “Ku” in
Japanese).
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Okinawa Kobudo Doushi
Rensei-kai
Doushi: People who have the same will,
comrades.
Rensei:
Train your body and soul. |
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Eku |
Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei
founder of OKDR
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Kuwa
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Dave Long & Mark Huff
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Nunti-Bo |
Kama -
Sansetsu-kun |
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Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei - KAI
The
roots of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai stem from the
work of two remarkable instructors - father and son, who
dedicated their lives to leave us the legacy of their art. Matayoshi
Shinko Sensei and his son, Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei (who
formed the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei), influenced many other
Kobudo schools which are practiced today. Gakiya Yoshiaki
Sensei formed the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei - Kai to
further this rare, ancient art. Gakiya Sensei was named
successor of the Matayoshi Lineage of Okinawa Kobudo at the
time of Matayoshi Sensei’s passing in September of 1997. He
held that position for five years. Gakiya Sensei retired as
Kancho from the world famous (Matayoshi) Kodokan dojo in
2001. In January of 2002, he founded the Okinawa Kobudo
Doushi Rensei-kai. He worked unselfishly for ten years
developing the OKDR. He attracted many interested martial
artists from around the world. Gakiya Sensei was forced to
retire from the OKDR on June 30th, 2011 due to an
unexpected illness. He appointed Neil Stolsmark, Sensei as
the President of the association effective July 1st,
2011. Stolsmark Sensei promised Gakiya Sensei he would
carry-on the association and develop the Okinawa Kobudo
Doushi Rensei-kai. The Kobudo of the Matayoshi Lineage is
practiced world-wide. This association respects all of the
practitioners of Kobudo and hopes for peace and harmony
throughout the different associations and the world. We are
proud of our direct lineage and our goal is to keep this
treasure intact in its original entirety.
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| MATAYOSHI SHINPO
Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei, son of
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei and successor to the Matayoshi line of Kobudo,
was born in Okinawa in Yomitan Village, located in the Kina District on
December 27, 1921. Shinpo Sensei was introduced to the martial arts by
his father at the very young age of 6. However, Matayoshi Shinko Sensei
did not limit his son to the practice of Kobudo; he also exposed Shinpo
Sensei to Kingai Ryu, a White Crane open hand system. In 1937, Shinpo
Sensei's father also introduced him to the open hand system of Hakaku
Kempo, which he learned from Gokenki Sensei. Although Shinpo Sensei
would have various instructors throughout his life, his father remained
his life-long instructor and mentor.
Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei remained in Okinawa until 1938, when he moved to
Kawasaki-Shi in Kanagawa-Ken. He spent 19 years in the city of Kawasaki
teaching and training. The year 1957 brought Shinpo Sensei back to
Okinawa, where he taught kobudo predominantly in Goju Ryu dojos, namely
that of Higa Sensei. While teaching kobudo in various karate dojos,
Matayoshi Sensei realized that karate was growing in popularity, where
as kobudo was not. Matayoshi Sensei wanted to increase the exposure of
kobudo among the people of Okinawa, so he decided to form his own dojo. |
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Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei
& Sensei Stolsmark |
In 1960, Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei founded his kobudo dojo in the
city of Naha, and he called it the "Kodokan" in memory of, and as a
dedication to his teacher and mentor Matayoshi Shinko Sensei. The
significance of "Kodokan" is based on the kanji "Ko" (meaning "Light"), and
is a tribute to the "Ko" from Shinko; for what Kodokan translates to the
"Hall of the Enlightened Way
Once Matayoshi Sensei opened his dojo, he
focused on contacting Kobudo instructors and students all over Japan.
His intention was to unite Kobudo practitioners under one goal; to not
only to spread the art of Kobudo, but also to try to maintain the
traditions that had been passed down from Kobudo Senseis of earlier
days. Matayoshi Sensei had a strong interest in promoting Kobudo among
young students to help make them better citizens and contributors to
society. As a result of this interest, Matayoshi Sensei formed the
Ryukyu Kobudo Association in 1960. This association became the
foundation of the Zen Okinawa Renmei or All Okinawa Kobudo League, which
formed in 1972 and still exists today.
Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei appointed Gakiya
Yoshiaki as head of the system before he died. Matayoshi Sensei
passed away in Okinawa on September 7, 1997, at the age of 76 |
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MATAYOSHI SHINKO
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei or "Kama
nu Matehi" (Matayoshi the Kama) as he was often called,
was born in the city of Naha, Okinawa in 1888. As the
third son of Matayoshi Shinchin, a wealthy businessman,
Shinko was the only member of the family to become
involved in the martial arts. Although Matayoshi Shinko,
Sensei grew up predominantly in Okinawa, he traveled
later on in his life around different areas of Japan and
China. It was in Okinawa, Hokkaido, and China that
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei received the majority of his
exposure and training in various weapon arts. Matayoshi
Shinko Sensei would later incorporate many of the
weapons and styles of his instructors to form the
foundation of what we know today as Matayoshi Kobudo
system.
Matayoshi Shinko
Sensei had the opportunity to experience the art of
weapons from many different instructors. During his
teens, Matayoshi began his training in kobujutsu, under
the instruction of Agena Chokuho Sensei of Gushikawa
Village. From Agena Sensei, Matayoshi learned Bo-jutsu,
Sai-jutsu, Kama-jutsu, and leku-jutsu. |
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Matayoshi Shinko Sensei then became the student of Irei
Sensei of Nozato, Chatan Town, from whom he learned the arts
of Tonkua-jutsu and Nunchaku-jutsu.
Not long after, at the age of 22, Matayoshi Shinko Sensei
left on an adventure to Manchuria where he joined a mounted
nomadic tribe, from whom he gained exposure in the arts of
Ba-jutsu (bow and arrow while riding a horse), Shuriken-jutsu,
and Nagenawa-jutsu (rope throwing).
Shinko Sensei continued in his travels to expand his
knowledge of the art of weaponry, arriving in Shanghai where
he learned the arts of Nunti-jutsu, Tinbei-jutsu, and
Suruchin-jutsu. while in Shanghai, he began to develop
interests outside of kobudo, yet still within the realm of
the martial arts. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei became involved in
the study of Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine under
the instruction of Kinkoroushi. He furthered his studies in
China, learning Chinese boxing and Shorinji-Kempo in Fuchow,
China.
Because of his abilities
and knowledge, windows of opportunity were opened to
Matayoshi Shinko Sensei, and he was able to participate in
two very notable moments in the history of the martial arts.
In 1915, during the Imperial Memorial Budo Demonstration
Festival at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Shinko Sensei
demonstrated Tonkua-jutsu and Kama-jutsu, while Funakoshi
Gichin Sensei (the founder of Shotokan) demonstrated karate.
This was the first time that Okinawan Kobudo was publicly
demonstrated in mainland Japan, and remains a very important
event in the history of Kobudo. Later, in 1921, during the
honorable visit of Prince Hirohito (Showa) to Okinawa,
Matayoshi Sensei demonstrated Kobudo, and Miyagi Chojun
Sensei (the founder of Goju Ryu) demonstrated Karate for the
distinguished guest. It was not until 1935 when Matayoshi
Shinko Sensei returned to Okinawa, settled in the city of
Naha, and shaped his experiences to the point of developing
the Matayoshi style of Kobudo. Matayoshi Shinko Sensei
passed away in 1947 at the age of 59.
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O.K.D.R. Okinawa Kobudo Doushi
Rensei-kai
Founded
January 2002 by
Gakiya Yoshiaki
Nago -City, Okinawa Japan |
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Kokusai
Honbu "International Headquarters"
Neil Stolsmark President
Tel: 262 544 4280
Address: 369 W. Main St Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
E-mail:
neilsaaa@att.net
Web:
http://www.authenticancientarts.com |
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USA-NY USA Shibu-cho
Michael Calandra
Tel: 718 470-9896
Addresse: 260 Jericho
Turnpike Floral Park, NY 11001 USA
E-mail:
oikddojo@aol.com
Web:http://www.seishinkanonline.com
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GERMANY München Shibu-cho
Heinrich Büttner
Tel: 49 89 39-1533
Addresse: Ursulastr. 8 D-80802 München GERMANY
E-mail:
heinrich.buttner@t-online.de
Web:
http://www.matayoshi-kobudo.de/ |
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PORTUGAL Shibu-cho
Daniel Faisca Coelho
Tel: 351289 41-1141
Addresse: Expansao Sul, Lote B-1 D, 8100-657 Loule PORTUGAL
E-mail:
okdrportugal@hotmail.com |
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AUSTRALIA Shibu-cho
Kong Wing Loh
Tel: 61 393-26-0399
Addresse: 15 A Puckle Street Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039 AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
kongwingloh@hotmail.com
Web: |
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ARGENTINA Buenos Aires Shibu-cho
Gustavo Anzuate
Tel: 54-11 4-771-1622
Address: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz 1270 Buenos Aires Republica ARGENTINA
E-mail:
osaad@pccp.com.ar |
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AUSTRALIA WAP Shibu-cho
Tony Carroll
Tel: 61
08-9561-1535
Address: 15 Clipper Place,
6035,
Perth,
AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
shuhari@bigpond.net.au |
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USA-PA Shibu-cho
Susan Sbuscio
Tel: 412 851-9704
Address: 6311 Whitewood St. South Park PA, 15129 USA
E-mail:
ssbuscio@yahoo.com
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Japan-Tokyo Shibu-cho
Hirotomi Arakaki
Tel: 03 6762-1100
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South Africa-Langeb Ridge
ZAF Shibu-cho
Elias & Lilian Kattan
Tel: 27 21 9872291
Address: 6 Duiker St. Langdeb Ridge, 7550 SOUTH AFRICA
E-mail:
info@goju~ryu.co.za
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USA-FL Shibu-cho
Russ Lee Smith
Tel: 813 505-5006
Address: 6830 Dairy Rd., Zephyerhills, Florida 33542 USA
E-mail:
gojuryukaratedo@yahoo.com
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Tel: 781 643-2657
Address: 238 Calvary St. Waltham, MA 02453
USA
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Tel:
613 282-6295
Address: 1800 Bank St.
Ottawa, ONTARIO K1V 2G8 CANADAG8
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Tel:
41 0 79 375 97 89
Address:
Sandstrasse 11, 7000 GR CHUR, SwitzerlandG8
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USA-Arizon Dojo Nushi No. 1-2
Tel:
480 390-1161
Address: :922 N. Lindsay Rd. Mesa,
Arizon 85205 USA
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USA-Minnesota Dojo Nushi No. 1-3
Tel:
651 303-2867
Address: 2001 O'Neal Rd. Hudson, Wisconsin
54016 USA
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USA-Illinois Dojo Nushi No. 1-4
Anthony De Sardi
1502
N. Elmhurst Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL
60056 USA
Tel: 847 788-0200
E-Mail:
mska@sbcglobal.net
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USA-Michigan Dojo Nushi No. 1-5
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USA-Missouri Dojo Nushi No. 1-6
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USA-Missouri Dojo Nushi No. 1-7
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USA-New York Dojo Nushi No. 1-8
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Jyosei Yogi Sensei
Born April 13, 1935 in Okinawa. Yogi Sensei, 8th dan
is a very
prominent Karate and Kobudo instructor on Okinawa. As an honorary member of
the OKDR, he has been a very valuable resource. Yogi Sensei also holds
the rank of 9th dan in Konan-ryu Karate-do. He is famous for his patient
teaching methods and opens his heart to every student. It is truly a
pleasure to experience Yogi Sensei's philosophy of life. Yogi Sensei
exemplifies the true spirit of Karate-do and Kobudo. |
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Yogi Sensei pictured
with his "Frienship" patch. He has a small group of students who
live in Okinawa and meet at the Budokan for training. Yogi
Sensei directs interested Kobudo practitioners to the OKDR
president Neil Stolsmark |
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