Matsumura and Nomura Clash

Message from O' Sensei Legacy:

Serious students of true karate are also students of history, always looking for historical information on the martial arts and martial artists.

Many stories have been told of the life and exploits of Bushi Sokon Matsumura, the founder of Shorin Ryu Karate-Jutsu and the Matsumura White Crane system.

I believe that this story about our founder will exemplify his martial spirit and his mastery of the martial arts more effectively than any of my own words.

Many of the samurai class played a musical instrument called the Samisen, a three stringed banjo-like instrument, the strings of which are plucked with a large bone plectrum. Bushi Matsumura played this instrument well, but a samurai named Nomura was known to be the best samisen player in Okinawa. His skill was so great that to this day there recontents a style of samisen playing called Nomura Ryu.

Nomura also studied karate, and although he was a gentleman and samurai, he wanted to know if he could beat Matsumura in a shiai. (The term shiai in Matsumura's time meant a fight to the death between karate experts, rather than a friendly tournament as it is used today). One day he challenged Matsumura to a shiai and Matsumura accepted. A date for the battle was not set, as Nomura hoped that the challenge would be forgotten as time went by, thinking that he would be able to use the element of surprise to his advantage.

After six months had passed, Nomura asked Matsumura to join him in playing the samisen. Some say it was a challenge to see who could play the instrument better. Matsumura accepted the invitation and a date was set.

When they met, Nomura began to play out his strategy by arranging to sit on Matsumura's right side. When the samisen is played, the player usually sings at the same time. Okinawan songs are long and the vocal pitch can be quite high. Nomura's strategy was to sing in tune with Matsumura and, when they were both at a high note, and Matsumura's lungs would be straining for air, he would attack. He believed that, because he was an accomplished singer as well as a practiced samisen player, his lungs would have greater capacity than Matsumura's.

Patiently, he waited until the last high note of the song. As soon as Matsumura hit the high note, Nomura rose on his right leg and thrust his samisen at Matsumura's head.

Matsumura, always aware of his surroundings and always alert to any danger, reacted instantly. He jerked his head back to avoid the attack and slapped the samisen with his right hand, deflecting it away. He had successfully defended himself. Had he moved any other way or attempted to stand up, he would have been struck. He immediately countered with a back fist, stopping his blow a hair's breadth away from Nomura's face. At that instant, Nomura froze and knew he had been defeated. He slowly backed away from Matsumura, bowed deeply and said, "I am no match for you. You have won."

Matsumura was a gentleman and showed mercy by not attacking, for he thought it was better for Nomura to learn from the incident than it was to kill him.

By Hanshi Gary Legacy

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