Master Soken found Karate greatly changed. Unhappy with the changes he found in Okinawan Karate, Master Soken refused to join the more fashionable Karate Associations.

He soon set about to teach his style of Shorin-ryu; "Matsumura-Seito karate and Kobudo. On Okinawa during this time there were few organized methods of teaching Kobudo.

Master Soken researched Kata and sent his students to learn from other Sensei's throughout Okinawa. Much of the organized instruction of Kobudo found today originated from Master Soken's efforts. Grandmaster Soken was active in the Okinawan Historical Society and president of the Okinawan Kobujitsu Association.

Until his retirement in 1978 Master Soken was widely sought by Karate master's of many styles to teach advanced techniques in both Karate and Kobudo.

However, only one man is generally acknowledged (there are a few who say they know it) to have reached full proficiency in the Matsumura-Seito system under Master Soken;

this man is FUSEI KISE along with YUCHI KUDA. (Yuchi Kuda is Master Phil Koeppel's sensei)

During an interview with officials from the All Okinawan Karate-do Association, Grandmaster Soken listed his occupation as farmer. He lived in Hishi-hara village, Okinawa.

His Karate kata's are, 1. Hakutsura  2. Naihanchi Sho  3. Naihanchi Ni  4. Chinto  5. Pinan Sho-dan  6. Pinan Ni-dan  7. Gojushiho  8. Kusanku  9. Seisan  10. Rohai Sho 

11. Rohai Ni  12. Rohai San

Master Soken introduced the Pinan Kata's into the Matsumura-Seito system, those of us who practice Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu practice Master Soken's version of

the Pinan Kata's. Master Soken's favorite Kata is the White Crane kata or Hakutsura. He is the 3rd generation since "Bushi Matsumura" to learn this Kata. The only other living man who knows this technique is Fusei Kise.  (note: I believe there are a few others now...J.E.W)

Master Soken practiced and taught Kobudo with, Kama's - Nunchaku's - Sai's - Bo's - Kusari Kama - Tonfa's - Surchin.

His favorite Kobudo Kata was Tsuken Bo (Ciken No Kun). **Note** Master Soken made up 3 sai training forms, 2 tonfa training forms, 2 kama training forms and 3 Bo training forms that are taught in the Matsumura-Seito Ryu schools.

Grandmaster Soken deserves a great deal of gratitude from Karate-ka's all over the world. He has maintained a pure style. His Matsumura-Seito

Shorin-ryu Okinawan Karate and Kobuto has remained much the same as it was in the time of his ancestors. He was instrumental in maintaining Kobudo as an active martial art,

his efforts have led to the growth and development of the All Okinawan Kobudo and may have saved the art from extinction. For those of us who were fortunate enough to have trained with Master Soken, we have experienced something very rare and our best wishes will always be for him.