Matsu Higa

Matsu Higa was a great warrior, known for his outstanding weaponry and mastering of the bo, tonfa and sai. Born in 1790 and died in 1870, Matsu Higa grew up around martial arts.

Standing at five foot two inches tall and weighing one hundred and forty pounds. This Kobudo expert was one of the guards of the king of Okinawa.

Higa mastered what he was taught, invented his own way and called it Ufuchiku Kobojutsu. We also know that Matsu Higa taught Takahara Peichin who in turn taught Karate Sakugawa, who most historians agree was the fountain head of modern Okinawan karate.

The bo was an area where Okinawans developed their own style and made it formidable enough to stand up to pirates and the Japanese samurai. His bo was not only formidable, it was fundamental and efficient with no wasted movements. He fought the head hunters of Formosa and the Japanese pirates and never lost one battle. In those days the winner won and the loser died. Matsu Higa faced a Chinese master of the "Iron Ruler" or tonfa and held him to a draw with his bo. The master was so impressed by Higa, that he taught him his art.

It is said the Matsu Higa's forearms were huge, legend claims that he could crush a coconut with his bare hands.

By Hanshi Gary Legacy.