- Soken Matusmura (B 1809 – D 1899) · Shuri, Ryukyu Kingdom-
Budo no Bugei, Soken Matsumura’s Seven Precepts of Bu are listed as:
· 1) Forbids willful violence,
· 2) Governs the warrior
· 3) Fortifies people
· 4) Fosters virtue
· 5) Appeases the community
· 6) Brings about a general harmony
· 7) Establishes prosperity.”
Matsumura stated that “Budo no Bugei (the genuine method) is never practiced without conviction, and participants cultivate a serene wisdom which knows not contention or vice. Fostering loyalty among family, friends, and country, a natural decorum encourages a dauntless character.” He continued, “With the fierceness of a tiger and the swiftness of a bird, an indomitable calmness makes subjugating any adversary effortless.
Matsumura Soken concludes by writing, “Hence, the way of Bun Bu (literally philosophy study and the fighting traditions often described as the pen and the sword) has mutual features. A scholar needs not Gakushi (a psychological game of strategy, not suitable for fighting) or Meimoku no Buge (purely physical in form, aiming only at winning); this is where you will find the way. This indomitable fortitude will profoundly affect your judgement in recognizing opportunity and reacting accordingly, as the circumstances always dictate the means.”
Matsumura Sokon (1809-1889 Yamagawa Village, Shuri, Okinawa). Matsumura was born Kiyo Sokon and was of noble birth, and as was traditional, was skilled at literature and the Chande classics as well as military arts. The name Kiyo changed to Matsumura when he entered the service of the 17th King of the Ryukyu Sho dynasty, King Sho Ko followed 18th and 19th Kings of Ryukyu, King Sho Iku and King Sho Tai, respectively. In 1826, and received the title Chikudon Peichin, a gentry rank, and later became the bodyguard to the Okinawan King Sho Iku himself.
During his life, Matsumura continued to expand his skill set with trips to China and two trips to Japan. In 1832, upon Matsumura’s return from a China journey, King Sho Iku stated he desired a bodyguard with sword skills, so Matsumura was sent to Satsuma, Japan, and stayed there for five years. Matsumura returned to Okinawa from Japan in 1837 bearing a Menkyo Kaiden (certificate of full proficiency, also known as Unki, light among clouds) in the Jigen Ryu style of swordsmanship, the very art that made the Satsuma swordsman so invincible!
If we were looking for a prototype model for the quintessential Okinawan Karate master, certainly Matsumura Sokon could be at the top historically. Masterful karate and sword warrior, versed in the Chinese Classics, especially Confucius’s benevolent guidelines for individual persons and nations, and do not forget long-lived, loyal service to his monarchs and country.
