Allegheny County Budo-Kai
Providing Affordable Quality Traditional Martial Arts Instruction
Kobudo...
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Shinko Matayoshi, is considered one of the pioneers of Okinawan Kobudo. In conjunction with his son Shinpo, he combined weapon techniques performed by a number of masters into one cohesive system of combat. The Matayoshi kobudo system taught at the Allegheny County Budo-kai is part of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai (organization). This organization was founded by Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei to preserve the legacy and further this rare and ancient art.

Matayoshi Kobudo refers to the ancient Okinawan practice of weapons. Okinawan Kobudo is a martial art that employs the use of weapons from Okinawa, such as the bo and nunchaku. In reality, the majority of the weapons of Okinawan Kobudo are not weapons at all, but rather farming tools or fishing implements.
Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei began the study of Kobudo in 1975 at the famous Matayoshi Kodokan dojo with Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei. Gakiya Sensei was awarded his teaching certificate in Kobudo on February 21, 1980 from Matayoshi Sensei and the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Federation. On June 8, 1997, Gakiya Sensei received his Hachi-dan (8th dan) in Kobudo. Gakiya Sensei achieved the status of head teacher at the Kodokan dojo and was appointed Kodokan Kancho by the Matayoshi family after Matayoshi sensei's death.
Gakiya Sensei was the closest collaborator of Matayoshi Sensei for more than 20 years. In July 2001, he retired from his position at the Kodokan dojo. On January 1, 2002, Gakiya Sensei formed his own organization, the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai. The OKDR is devoted to the study and preservation of this treasured art of Kobudo.

Under the guidance of Sensei Michael Calandra of New York, the Kobudo classes at the Allegheny County Budo-Kai are taught by Sensei Susan Sbuscio. Sensei Sbuscio began her martial arts training in karate in 1973. In 1993, after joining the Allegeheny County Budo-kai, Sensei Sbuscio began training in Maytayoshi kobudo. Sensei Sbuscio currently holds the rank of Ni-dan (2nd dan) in the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai.

The Kobudo classes at the Allegheny County Budo-Kai include instruction in such weapons as the bo, nunchaku, sai, tunkua, kama and iyeku (oar). The classes include the history and origins of the weapons as well as instruction in authentic, traditional techniques applicable to actual fighting situations.
Gakiya Yoshiaki