Kodokan in Okinawa
Image courtesy of bushikan.com
In 1960, Shinpo Matayoshi Sensei opened a Dojo in the City of Naha, Okinawa which he called 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 opened, he focused on contacting Kobudo instructors and students all over Japan.
His intention was to unite Kobudo practitioners under one goal; to not only spread the art of Kobudo, but also to try to maintain the
traditions that had been passed down from Kobudo Sensei's 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.
Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei passed away in Okinawa on September 7, 1997, at the age of 76. His second son Matayoshi Yasushi, inherited the
leadership of the dojo continues the Matayoshi Yasushi work of his father.
Contributors
Franco Sanguinetti (Kodokan USA), 2008
Peter Blee, 2008
