Sokon Matsumura, also known as Bushi (warrior) Matsumura and Shuri Matsumura, was born into a well-known shizoku family at Yamagawa Village, Shuri, Okinawa in 1809. This date is often disputed, but is based on Shoshin Nagamine’s account of his 88^th birthday in 1809 and Katsuya Miyahira’s claim that he died at the age of 92 (1901). Matsumura is one of the most renowned and skilled martial artists of his time. He was a master of both karate and kobujutsu (Okinawan weaponry). He was of noble birth and as skilled at literature, calligraphy, and the Chinese classics as he was at military arts. He organized the Shuri-Te style into a more refined system of the martial arts.

Martial Arts Training

Like many Shuri youth of his time, Matsumura learned the basics of “Te”. Later in Akata village, Shuri, Matsumura began the study of karate, under the guidance of Tode Sakagawa (1733-1815). Sakugawa was reluctant to teach the young Matsumura, but conceded to a promise he had made to Sofuku Matsumura, Sokon Matsumura’s father. Matsumura spent several years studying under Sakugawa. Eventually, Matsumura’s skill as a warrior became widely known throughout Okinawa and even in China. As a young man, Matsumura had already gathered a reputation as an expert in the martial arts. Many legendary stories are told about him in Okinawan folklore.

Official to the King

Matsumura was recruited into the service of the Royal Okinawan Sho family in 1816, serving the 17th Ryukyu King, Sho Ko. He received the title Shikudon, a gentry rank. Matsumura eventually became the chief martial arts instructor “Shihan Yaku” and bodyguard for King Sho Ko. He subsequently served in this capacity for the last two Okinawan Kings, King Sho Iku and King Sho Tai. Bushi Matsumura not only became the chief martial arts instructor but an official of the Ryukyu Kingdom. As such, Matsumura traveled as an envoy to China and Japan in the service of the Okinawan King.

Yonamine Chiru

In 1818 he married Yonamine Chiru, who was a martial arts expert as well. She is described as having qualities that most men would envy. She was the daughter of a rich Yonbaru merchant. Found of arm-wrestling, sumo, and weight lighting contests, she would often challenge and then best her suitors. Matsumura was the exception to this obviously.  Joen Nakazato told of a story where she was sweeping and a 60kg (132lb) bag of rice was in her way. She simply picked it up with one hand and continued sweeping.

Journeys for the Government

On his journeys, he sought out other martial artists and trained with them. In 1832, he went to Satsuma, Japan and stayed there for two years. While in Satsuma, it is believed that he studied the Jigen-ryu style of swordsmanship. This is a very aggressive style practiced by the Satsuma samurai. Stories say that, his sensei in Jigen-ryu was a samurai by the name of Yashichiro Ijuin. This is perhaps the time when Matsumura’s ideas about Bushido, the way of the warrior, and martial ethos were formed. Around 1839, he went to Fuchou, China and was able to study the Shaolin style of Chinese boxing and weaponry at several different schools. Legend has it that he actually trained at the famed “Shoreiji” or Southern Shaolin Temple at this time. It is not known how long Matsumura remained in China, but tradition has it that he stayed for some time.

According to Hohan Soken and Chozo Nakama, around 1860 Matsumura traveled to Foochow in Fukien Province, China, on one of two diplomatic missions. There he trained under Ason. In the 1860′s he brought back the Chinese Kempo Master Iwah and together they taught many Okinawans. He is also believed to have studied with the Chinese warrior Wai Shin Zan while in China. After his return from China he organized and refined Shuri-Te. His organizational efforts would eventually serve as the basis for the Shorin-ryu System of Okinawan Karate. Some authorities credit Matsumura with adopting the name “Shorin Ryu” while others say Anko Itosu, Matsumura’s student is actually responsible for adopting this terminology. Shorin is the Japanese pronunciation of Shaolin. Even though this style is a blend of native Okinawan techniques and Chinese Kempo, it is named after the famed Shaolin Temple of China, renowned for its fighters.

Matsumura’s Unique Style

A unique feature of the Matsumura style is the teaching of the White Crane or Hakutsuru kata. Although white crane techniques are contained throughout most of the kata of the style, and are especially evident in Gojushiho and Kusanku, the Hakutsuru kata is one of those elusive and esoteric kata of karate. According to the late Hohan Soken, the White Crane style was renamed by Bushi Matsumura while he was in China. He then brought the style back to Okinawa in the 1860′s. From then on, the system was a secret style only taught to immediate members of the Matsumura family. The White Crane style was passed from Bushi Matsumura to Nabe Matsumura, his grandson.

Generating Power

Bushi Matsumura was tall and thin with deep-set eyes. He was also extremely fast because of his constant practice. He also believed that speed was essential in order to develop power. Matsumura was an innovator and he practiced every technique so that it could be performed as fast as possible. Legend has it that he was able to generate enormous power in his techniques even though he was slender and wiry. The reason for this was that “torque plus speed equals power”.

The concept of twisting and rotating the hips when delivering a technique is the method he used. Matsumura is credited with developing this concept in karate. Matsumura simply knew how the basic elements of physics could apply to and enhance karate technique. He was known to have superb kicking skills and a great jumping ability. His expression was “as a warrior one must develop the speed of a bird and the power of a tiger”.

Legacy

Bushi Matsumura is credited with having originated or having developed important variations of many of the Shorin-Ryu katas practiced today including Chinto, Wansu, Passai, and Seisan. He is also credited with passing on the kata or formal exercises known as Passai Dai (Matsumura No Passai), Naihanchi, Chinto, Gojushiho (Fifty Four Steps) and Kusanku. According to the Matsumura Seito sect of Shorin-ryu, a set of Chinese kata known as Chanan in Matsumura time, had been modified by Matsumura and were the basis for Pinan I & II.  Interviews with Hohan Soken reviled that, while it is claimed that all of the katas were passed down directly from Sokon Matsumura, most likely Nabe Matsumura learned katas from other instructors. It is my belief that he learned of the Pinan katas from Anko Itosu, another student of Matsumura, and began teaching some of them on his own.