Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International – UK Branch

Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan

Matayoshi Kobudo is a traditional Okinawan martial art focusing on the study and practice of weapons. It is one of the oldest and most revered Kobudo styles still practiced today, with a lineage spanning over nine generations within the Matayoshi family. The art, as we know it, was shaped by two distinguished masters: Master Matayoshi Shinko (father, pictured below left) and Master Matayoshi Shinpo (son, pictured below right). Their lifelong dedication has left us a legacy that continues to influence Kobudo practitioners worldwide. The late Sensei Matayoshi Shinpo was regarded as the highest authority on Okinawan weapons and played a key role in preserving this martial tradition.

The 12 Weapons of Matayoshi Kobudo

This martial art involves the study of twelve distinct weapons, each with its own unique techniques and philosophies:

• • • • • • • • • • • Bo (Staff)
                    • Sai (Trident Dagger)
                    • Tunkua (Side Handle Baton)
                    • Nunchaku (Flail)
                    • Ueku (Fisherman’s Oar)
                    • Kama (Sickle)
                    • Nunti (Fisherman’s Gaff)
                    • Surichin (Weighted Rope)
                    • Sansetsu Kon (Three-Sectional Flail)
                    • Tinbi and Nata (Shield & Hatchet)
                    • Kuwa (Hoe)
                    • Manji Sai (Trident Dagger)

The Essence of Kobudo Training

Kobudo training provides a balance between unarmed and armed martial arts. Rooted in the history of Okinawa, the practice has evolved over many centuries. While it’s commonly believed that Kobudo weapons were derived from farming tools used by Okinawan farmers (Heimin class), recent historical findings suggest that it was actually the Pechin class (Okinawan warrior class) who practiced these techniques.

Matayoshi Kobudo is not just about mastering weapons but also about understanding the rich history, etiquette, and philosophy behind the art. Each student learns the values of respect, discipline, and self-awareness that define the martial tradition.

If you’re 14 years or older and interested in learning Matayoshi Kobudo, we invite you to join us for lessons or come by to observe a class!

The Future of Matayoshi Kobudo in Darlington

Our Darlington dojo is proudly affiliated with the Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International, a global network led by Sensei Franco Sanguinetti, an 8th Dan and direct student of Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei. Sanguinetti Sensei holds a Menkyo, a certification awarded by Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei, and is recognized as one of the world’s most experienced Matayoshi instructors.

As part of the largest-growing Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan group, our Darlington dojo is connected to a worldwide community that continues to preserve and share this remarkable martial art. For more information, please visit the official website: www.matayoshikobudouk.com.

Class Times & Venue (for Map see Quick Links above):

• Saturday at 11.00 am to 12.00 noon at: Clifton Centre, Clifton Avenue, Darlington, DL1 5EE
• Thursday at 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm at: Clifton Centre, Clifton Avenue, Darlington, DL1 5EE

Some Photos from Sensei Bateman’s Okinawa Training:

[Show as slideshow]