Kobudo has been taught and practiced within the Matayoshi family for hundreds of years. Their lineage dates back to before the Satsuma invasion. In years gone by, members of the Matayoshi family were government officials and knights who protected the Okinawan royal family at the Shuri Castle. The Matayoshi Family were also heavily involved in trading and shipping and required fighting techniques to combat pirates and smugglers. The Matayoshi expertise in fighting was drawn from the both the native Okinawan fighting arts and those of the surrounding nations (particularly China). As such the weapons taught in the system are very varied and draw on influences from the whole of East Asia.