“Forearms Like Tree Trunks”
Matsu Higa 1790-1870
“Forearms Like Tree Trunks”
Matsu Higa is a semi legendary martial artist in Okinawan history, who according to oral tradition reportedly had a direct influence on the development of karate and kobudo, especially with respect to bojutsu.
In 1429, the three kingdoms on Okinawa, unified to form the Ryukyu Kingdom. By the 18th century, different types of Okinawan-te had developed at villages of Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. A resident of the island of Hama Higa, he was a practitioner of Shuri-te including the techniques of chu’an fa, and weaponry, including the bo.
It is said that Matsu Higa had forearms like tree trunks and that he could crush a coconut in his bare hands, though he stood only 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall and weighed about 140 pounds (64 kg). Legends state that Matsu Higa with his bō stood up to the head-hunters of Formosa and to Japanese pirates from the north and never lost a battle.
It is important to correct a misunderstanding in some oral history accounts claiming that Matsu Higa was the teacher of Takahara Peechin, who in turn taught Sakugawa Kanga. It is now known that Takahara Peechin (1683-1760) died 30 years before Matsu Higa (1790-1870) was born. Takahara Peechin (1683-1760) did teach Sakugawa Kanga (1733-1815) who became known as the father of Okinawan Karate.
Matsu Higa is recognized as one of the first to codify a system of weapons kata and techniques. His contributions live on in several weapons katas, especially for tonfa, sai, and bō, known as the Matsu-Higa series. His katas greatly influenced the inhabitants of the island of Hama-Higa who became proficient practitioners in the use of the weapons, through practice in the kata forms, and simulated with partners.
While the Okinawan Tonfa and Sai originated in China, they were simplified and polished for combat by the Okinawan masters. The bo was the one area where the masters developed their own style into a formidable weapon. And it was mastery of the bo in which Matsu Higa excelled. His Bo was formidable, fundamental, and efficient. There was no wasted movement, and only one winner.
In Kobudo Okinawan Art of Weaponry, there are six weapons with individual kata for each weapon. The weapons and kata of Matsu Higa (sai, tonfa, and the bo) along with the eku (boat oar), kama, nunchaka, and tekko (brass knuckles) continue to be taught and passed on from master to student, as an essential technique and style for today’s martial artist who strives for perfection, self-knowledge in individual performance or competition, and in preservation of the art so that it is passed down to others. The Ryu Kyu Kobudo used ordinary farm tools as self defense weapons.