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SOKON "BUSHI" MATSUMURA Sokon Matsumura was born in 1792 in the Yamagawa Village, Shuri in to an upper class family and as soon as he reached adulthood was recruited as close advisor and body guard to the three RyuKyan kings. Starting his Karate training at 14 with Satunushi Sakugawa, this training continued through his career also training in Chinese boxing and Jigen-ryu sword fighting. In his time working as a bodyguard and martial arts instructor, Matsumura had many opportunities to travel overseas on affairs of state. Twice visiting the Fujian province in China he trained at several Boxing schools including the Fujian Shiaolin temple and the Satusuma clain headquarters in Kyushu where he enhanced his Jigen-ryu sword fighting skills. Matsumura is credited with unifying the arts of Shuri-te and Tomari-te who by standardising the technique's of the Okinawan arts. Every Karate style today can trace their lineage to Matsumura. Matsumura is responsible for developing many of the Kata we practice today in particular – Bassai, Kushanki, Naifanchi (Tekki), Hangetsu, Channan and Gojushiho. He was also the pioneer of using the twisting motion of the hips to generate power. Matsumura was given the title 'Bushi' meaning warrior by the Okinawan King to recognise his abilities and accomplishments in the martial arts. After retiring, Matsumura taught Karate at an open space in Shuri, his two most notable students were Itosu and Azatp who passed on his teachings to Ginchin Funakoshi, and in the case of Itosu to Makoto Gima.
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