Kobudo, or Ryukyu Kobujutsu, refers the martial arts weaponry systems originating on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Literally "old martial way", it is the comprehensive study of the classical weapons traditions including the Bo (six-foot staff), Sai (metal truncheon), Tonfa (handled club), Nunchuaku (flail), Jo (short staff), Eku (boat oar), Jutte-Bo (spear), Kama (sickle), Sansetsukun (3-section staff), and Tinbe-Rochin (shield and spear). Kyoshi Marquez studied kobudo with Kina Masanobu, the nephew of the legendary Kina Shosei, Kanei Katsuyoshi, founder of the Jinbukan, and Isa Kaisho, inhereitor of the Ufuchiku-Den Kobujutsu system.
Hanshi Kina Masanobu was Kyoshi Marquez' first kobudo teacher in Okinawa until his untimely passing. Through Hanshi Kina Masanobu, TMAI students practice a rare set of kata that continue the teachings of the Kina family and the "old way" of Okinawan kobudo traditions.
Hanshi Kanei Katsuyoshi was the founder of the Jinbukan and served as the vice president of the Okinawan Kobudo Association, which is headed by the Matayoshi family. Kyoshi Marquez was admitted to Kanei Sensei's dojo by a formal letter of introduction given by his Goju-Ryu sensei, Shinjo Masanobu. Interestingly, Kanei and Shinjo Senseis were childhood friends and both were Goju-Ryu Karate students under Toguchi Seikichi. TMAI students practice the complete kobudo system as transmitted from Hanshi Kanei Katsuyoshi.
Ufuchiku-Den is the rare Okinawan martial art with legacy to Kanakushiku Sanda (1841-1920), or in Japanese, Kinjo Sanda. Kanakushiku Sensei was an Okinawan police commissioner, or 'Ufuchiku', and thus was commonly referred to by this nickname. Born in Shuri, he was a pioneering martial arts expert who served as personal bodyguard to the last of Okinawa's reigning king's, Sho Tai, until the king's fall from power in 1879. Kanakushiku Sensei combined these experiences with his training as a direct student of both Bushi Matsumura and Matsu Higa. A unique art, the Ufuchiku-Den system encompasses empty hand, kobudo, karamiti, and includes over 25 weapons and 100 kata. The Ufuchiku-Den system was passed from Kanakushiku Sanda to Kina Shosei and then to Isa Kaisho. Kyoshi Marquez was fortunate to have studied directly with Soke Isa Kaisho.
