This post is about some of the less commonly known legends of the greatest karateka who ever lived.
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| A portrait of the Ryukyu King. - There is a theory that the two men behind him are Matsumura and his student Itosu. |
In his day, Bushi Matsumura was very well known throughout the entire Ryukyu Kingdom. Another martial artist that was also at that time was Yonamine Chiru, Matsumura's wife.
Yonamine was a well respected martial artist in her own right. Before she met Matsumura, she had often challenged and bested would-be suitors.
One witness recalled seeing her lift a 60 Kg bag of rice with one hand while she swept under it.
The following is an excerpt of story about Matsumura and Yonamine. This recount is based on the story from the book by Richard Kim 'The Weaponless Warriors'.
Matsumura and Yonamine were at a party in Kaki-no-hana in Naha, when the party began to get boisterous and out of hand, Matsumura suggested that Yonamine head home, she agreed and started home.
Along the way she was approached by three ruffians. At first Yonamine tried to talk her way out of the situation but to no avail, one by one the ruffians attacked. She quite successfully defended herself, tying the three battered and bruised ruffians together with her obi (sash worn around the waist).
Later that evening Matsumura was walking home and came across the three men tied up. As he approached he noticed how badly beaten they were, he also recognised the obi tying them together.
The next morning, during breakfast, Matsumura presented the obi to Yonamine saying "I believe this belong to you?" Yonamine simply took the obi without a word and went back to the chores she was doing. Matsumura had trouble believing that his wife had beat up three men at once. As he got no explanation from her, he decided to find out for himself.
Only a few days later just before dark, Matsumura dressed up as a farmer and went to a particular spot that he knew Yonamine would pass on her way back from visiting relatives. As she passed, Matsumura jumped out and attacked, hoping to knock her down. Her reaction was instantaneous, she leaped into the air kicking him twice in the torso and then punching him in the head. Matsumura fell, dazed and shocked. Before he realised what was happening she had tied him to a tree and left him there.
Matsumura found himself tied up there all night. When dawn came, a man came passing by. Matsumura yelled out to the man "Over here! Untie me!"
The man walked over and to his great surprise found the Great Matsumura in such a position. "I know," he said "you are wondering what happened. I'm wondering the same thing myself."
Matsumura walked home like a dog with his tail between his legs.
Yonamine smiled at the fabrication about the scores of men that set upon him during his walk.
Serving him breakfast she remarked "You should be more careful and train harder."
The following is a collection of stories regarding Bushi Matsumura.
Based on the recounts by Ronald L Lindsey in his book 'Okinawa No Bushi No Te'.
Bushi Matsumura, The Man
Matsumura was tall and thin, often described as 'skinny with long legs'. Some historians believe he was about 5'7", which is tall for an Okinawan of the 1800's. Is it believed that he was of Chinese decent.
He was very limber, he practiced Mawashi Geri from a squatting position to the front and over his shoulders. All of his techniques emphasised speed and balance. He believed that one through speed came true power.
From the techniques learnt at the Shaolin Temple, he used his hips to develop torque. He stressed that torque and speed equals power. It is this twisting from the hips that became the major power source for all styles.
Matsumura favoured jumping techniques and the people of Shuri would say that he could run up a tree. He would often use a tree as a training aid. He would hand from the limb of a tree to develop his arms and legs. He could jump and up and grab or pinch a ceiling bean and hang there like a monkey.
His height, quickness, strength and knowledge enabled him to develop an effective fighting style.
Matsumura was tall and thin, often described as 'skinny with long legs'. Some historians believe he was about 5'7", which is tall for an Okinawan of the 1800's. Is it believed that he was of Chinese decent.
He was very limber, he practiced Mawashi Geri from a squatting position to the front and over his shoulders. All of his techniques emphasised speed and balance. He believed that one through speed came true power.
From the techniques learnt at the Shaolin Temple, he used his hips to develop torque. He stressed that torque and speed equals power. It is this twisting from the hips that became the major power source for all styles.
Matsumura favoured jumping techniques and the people of Shuri would say that he could run up a tree. He would often use a tree as a training aid. He would hand from the limb of a tree to develop his arms and legs. He could jump and up and grab or pinch a ceiling bean and hang there like a monkey.
His height, quickness, strength and knowledge enabled him to develop an effective fighting style.
Matsumura and Kushigawa Uehara
This version of the famous clash was told to Lindsey by Seizan Kinjo.
Kushigawa Uehara was a village tough guy who had a reputation as a good fighter.
On this occasion he challenged Matsumura's position as the King's chief bodyguard. As was the custom of the day, the dispute was to be settled through combat in the presence of the King.
Each man only through one punch or strike; Matsumura won by striking Uehara's punching hand and breaking it.
Simple and quick, Matsumura won the match.
On this occasion he challenged Matsumura's position as the King's chief bodyguard. As was the custom of the day, the dispute was to be settled through combat in the presence of the King.
Each man only through one punch or strike; Matsumura won by striking Uehara's punching hand and breaking it.
Simple and quick, Matsumura won the match.
Matsumura and Nomura Clash
It was common for the higher classes to play a musical instrument called 'Sanshin'. Bushi Matsumura was a very good Sanshin player. Nomura was an Okinawan aristocrat know has the ilands best Sanshin player (even today, there is a style of the Sanshin called Nomura Ryu).
Both Matsumura and Nomura studied Budo. Nomura was a gentleman; however, he wanted to find out if he could beat Matsumura in a fighting contest (shiai). One day he asked Matsumura for a 'shiai' and Matsumura agreed, but they didn't decide on a place or time for the contest. Nomura figured is he waited long enough, Matsumura would forget about the contest.
After six months or so, Nomura and Matsumura met to play Sanshin music. when songs a played with the Sanshin, usually the player sings at the same time. In Okinawa the songs can be quite long, sung at a high vocal pitch. Nomura planned to use this to his advantage; he sat on Matsumura's right side. As they sang together, when they reached a high note, as the air was exhausted from Matsumura's lungs Nomura would cease the moment and attack.
He waited until the last note of the song and as Matsumura hit the top note Nomura thrust his Sanshin towards Matsumura's head. Matsumura, always being cautious, reacted instantly to the attack. As Nomura thrust towards him, Matsumura darted his head out of the way and simultaneously deflected the Sanshin away with his right hand. Matsumura countered with a back fist, stopping it within the width of a hard form Nomura's face. Nomura, knowing he'd lost, slowly backed away and bowed deeply and said "I am no match for you. You have won".
Matsumura The Weapons Master
Bushi Matsumura was an expert as using everyday implements as weapons. He was renowned as a Sai and Bo expert and developed a Kata for each weapon.
It is said that he was taught the Jigen Ryu system of Satsuma province of Southern Japan.
Jigen Ryu was the sword fighting system Shimazu Clan Samurai.
A journalist for a Japanese newspaper wrote the following regarding Matsumura and Jigen Ryu for an newspaper in 1953:
“...in the meantime [Matsumura] received initiation into the Jigen-ryū by Ijūin Yashichirō, who granted him a Menkyo Kaiden after only half a year. This extreme speed amazed the people of Satsuma. Matsumura was probably already born as a martial genius.”
A journalist for a Japanese newspaper wrote the following regarding Matsumura and Jigen Ryu for an newspaper in 1953:
“...in the meantime [Matsumura] received initiation into the Jigen-ryū by Ijūin Yashichirō, who granted him a Menkyo Kaiden after only half a year. This extreme speed amazed the people of Satsuma. Matsumura was probably already born as a martial genius.”
Who Matsumura was and what he did is relevant to all Karateka and Kobudoka, no other person has influenced Ryukyu Budo more he has.
He is thought to have created the kata Bassai and Naihanchi and was responsible for passing on older kata like Channan, Kushanku (Kanku), Gojushiho, Jutte, Chinto, Hakutsuru and Rohai.
Matsumura was good friends with Kanryo Higashionna, the famous teacher of Naha-te. So it's a reasonable to assume that Matsumura (either directly or indirectly) had an impact of all aspects of what is now modern Karate and Kobudo.
Thanks for reading.
Derm
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Information sources:
http://shitokai.com/karate-history/sokon-bushi-matsumura
http://www.msisshinryu.com/masters/bushi/
https://toshujutsu.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/sokon-matsumura-what-did-he-actually-teach/
'Okinawa No Bushi No Te' - By Ronald L Lindsey
'The Weaponless Warriors: An Informal History of Okinawan Karate' - Richard Kim
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