Soken "Bushi" Matsumura
Matsumura is probable the most influence
person that has ever been involved in karate. He is said to be the father of
Shuri-te or Shorin-Ryu. He was a master of both karate and kobudo. Bushi
Matsumura trained under many prominent masters himself. Some of those masters
included Kusanku, Chinto, Karate Sakugawa, and Iwah. Matsumura is said to be the
most famous student of Karate Sakugawa. Matsumura’s skill was known all
throughout Okinawa and even through parts of China. His skill was so good that he
was even hired into the service of the Royal Okinawan Sho Family. Through this
Matsumura quickly became the head of all bodyguards for the Okinawan King.
From this position Matsumura trained all the bodyguards for the king. Once in
this position he was able to farther his training in the self-defenses too.
Matsumura was able to travel to China on several different occasions. While in
China, Matsumura was able to study the Chinese style of boxing known as “Shaolin
Boxing” and weaponry. It is said that during this time in China Matsumura was
able to travel to Foochow in the Fukien Province, where he learned the kata Hakutsuru. After returning
to Okinawa after his training in China, Matsumura, was able to redefine Shuri-te
which became the basis of Shorin-Ryu. It is believed that he either created or
redefined the kata Naihanchi, Passai, Kusanku, Chinto, Seisan, and Gojushiho
(for farther information, please see the
kata section).
Matsumura was given the title “Bushi”, which means warrior,
by the Okinawan king for his outstanding service and excellence in the martial
arts. Hohan Soken is credited as saying that Matsumura was the last person to
ever receive this title or this honor. Matsumura was a very prominent teacher of
his time. He had numerous students that obtained the acknowledgement of
“master”. A few of these students included, Anko Itosu, Kentsu Yabu, Chomo
Hanashiro, and Chotoku Kyan. At this time the styles of karate were pasted on
from one generation to the next, by way of father to son. It would be the son
who would then become the head of that style. Matsumura’s son died, so by the
time that Matsumura was wanting to retire and passed on his menkyo kaiden
(certificate of full proficiency) to his grandson Nabe Matsumura.
Kata practiced by Matsumura:
Naihanchi,
Passai,
Chinto,
Seisan,
Kusanku,
Hakutsuru, Chanan Sho and Dai,
Gojushiho, Sakugawa No Kun, and Matsumura No Sai.
