Okinawan Kobudo

Japan's Ryukyu archipelago was the birthplace of two methods of self-defense now practiced worldwide: Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu Kobujutsu, known as Okinawan Kobudo. Kobudo is the study of weapons adapted from the tools of farming and fishing.

Okinawan Kobudo reveals, for the first time through print and photographs, the rich history and techniques of this most prestigious martial art known worldwide as Matayoshi.

Andrea Guarelli traces the history of Matayoshi Kobudo, explores the background of each weapon, and demonstrates the form and technique of practice through rare photos, many of which the author took while a student of Shinpo Matayoshi Sensei (1921-1997).

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Auteur

Born in 1961, Andrea Guarelli is a Master of Goju-Ryu Karatedo and Matayoshi Kobudo. He was an Italian champion in kumite and vice European champion.

Guarelli devoted himself to the study of martial arts of Okinawa. Currently 8th Dan Kyoshi in both disciplines, he owns and teaches at Junshinkan dojo, which he founded in 1977. He is president of both the Italian Association of Okinawa Kobudo (AIKO) and the International Matayoshi Kobudo Association (IMKA). He also serves as technical director of Okinawa Karatedo Italy (OKI). Guarelli holds seminars worldwide, has published several books on Okinawan martial arts, and resides in Verona, Italy.