Tode Sakugawa's most famous student was Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura from
Shuri. Matsumura was reported to be 6 feet tall and over 200lbs making him
a giant on the island. He began his study in 1810 at the age of 13. He
trained with Sakugawa until Sakugawa's death in 1815. Matsumura was a
scholar and calligrapher. At 19 he married a women (Yonamine Chiru) from
a family known for their karate. She was very strong, and legend has it
that she picked up a 132 lb bag of rice with one hand to sweep under it.
She said she wouldn't marry someone that could not defeat her. After their
marriage Matsumura tested her ability by dressing in disguise and waiting
for her to come past him. When the test was done HE was tied to a tree! Be
sure to read the full story in O'Sensei's book on page 32.
Matsumura was an innovator who further developed the karate of
Shuri, providing much of the foundation for the karatedo practice today.
He is said to have traveled to China to train in the Shaolin Temple
learning Chuan Fa (Chinese Kempo-fist method). After his return he
organized and refined the Shuri-Te system. He would later become known as
the "forefather of Shorin-Ryu". He emphasized the importance of balancing
physical development with moral education. It is said that he used pine
trees as makiwara boards punching and kicking them until they fell down.
He developed his grip by squeezing green bamboo until it crushed.
Matsumura was recruited by the king of Ryukyu (King Shoko)
becoming his personal bodyguard and the bodyguard of two more Ryukyu
kings. The king wanted him to change his name as was customary at the
time. The king suggested Moramatsu meaning "Village Pine", but Sokon
requested Matsumura meaning "Pine Village". The king granted his request.
Read the story of Matsumura & the on page 4 of O'Sensei's book. Other
stories of Matsumura and King Shoko start on the bottom of page 35.
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