Kobudo means literally “way of the ancient martial arts”, and is a defensive martial art that uses Okinawan traditional weapons. It originated from the need of unarmed people to defend themselves from those who weren’t. This was the case of the farmers of Okinawa to whom it was prohibited the possession of military weapons during two long periods, remaining defenseless to the abuses of the armed soldiers. Under these circumstances they learned to use their agricultural implements as weapons. Matayoshi Kobudo is a general term referring to the style of Okinawan Kobudo that was developed by Matayoshi Shinpo and Matayoshi Shinko during the Twentieth Century.
International Matayoshi Kobudo Association Official Website click here