It was with immense pleasure that Matsubayashi Ryu New Zealand hosted Kancho Yoshitaka Taira and his lovely wife ,in February 2005, to experience the beauty of our country and repay some of the past Okinawan hospitality.

As Vice chairman of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-do Association
(WMKA) and a respected member of the Okinawa Karate Federation, Taira san embodies the spirit and essence that is Okinawan budo.
Having Kancho Taira conduct training sessions along with Shihan Kevin Plaisted was an invaluable experience for club members. Under the guidance of a Matsubayashi Ryu 9th dan they were able to strengthen and reinforce technique.
Taira san's rokushaku bo seminars were extremely popular, especially among invited karateka not familiar with Okinawan kobudo.


A special thanks to sensei Hiroshi Fujimoto of Goju kai who kindly translated for us and sensei Darrell Franklin and team who travelled from Australia to attend the seminars.