Page 51 - Martial Science Magazine February 2018 dig

MICHAEL veteran and former magazine

publisher, Michael Matsu-
da. Now, celebrating its 18th
year, the museum resides in
MATSUDA the motion picture capital of
the world, Burbank, Califor-
nia. Although there have been
bumps and bruises along the

AND THE way, the brilliance of this
martial arts gem has gained
MARTIAL ARTS featured on every major me-
such acclaim that it has been
dia outlet in America. The
museum has had spotlights
on a variety of television news
HISTORY channels, live coverage for
its events, commercials and
magazine articles, that the
Martial Arts History Museum
has become a new addition
MUSEUM to the “bucket list” for martial
art enthusiasts.

Through this article, we take
you for an in-depth look at the
By: Linda Bustamante Studio Photos By: Henry Binerfa Martial Arts History Museum
and the journey of a man who
has been referred to as the
HE MARTIAL punch. In 1971, Hong Kong “Walt Disney” of the martial
TREALM ushered in the kung fu movie arts, museum president and
boom from the success of the founder Michael Matsuda.
film, Billy Jack. The following
Over the past 70 years, there year, the Kung Fu television ALT DISNEY
have been revolutionary series emerged and American WEFFECT
changes in the martial arts homes were immersed with
that have paved the path for the beauty and tradition of Walt Disney is considered
the martial arts community the Shaolin Temple. In 1984, perhaps the most iconic in-
today. In 1945, James Cagney The Karate Kid opened the novators of our time through
was the first major star to use doors to a new generation of his ingenuity, creativity, per-
martial arts in the film, Blood martial art supporters and severance, and tenacity. Walt
on the Sun, which resulted in in 1999, the world’s first and Disney was able to success-
the rise of judo schools across sole museum dedicated to the fully build magical kingdoms
the nation. In 1964, the re- martial arts was founded, the originating from his imagi-
nowned Ed Parker’s Long Martial Arts History Museum. nation with a little mouse.
Beach International Karate Through his artistry, he in-
Championship was launched September 15, 1999, marks spired methodology and was
and transformed martial art- the day that the Martial Arts able to create, “The Happiest
ists into movie stars. It was History Museum was estab- Place On Earth”.
also at this prestigious mar- lished, starting as a traveling
tial arts tournament that Ed exhibit until landing in a brick Michael Matsuda is follow-
Parker extended an invitation and mortar facility in 2006. ing in the footsteps of the late
to the legendary Bruce Lee The visionary who put his great Walt Disney aspiring to
to perform and he displayed dreams to action and created be like him and the legacy he
the marvel two-finger push- this one of a kind museum is left to the world. As he made
up and breathtaking one inch none other than martial arts the decision to go forward

FEBRUARY/2018 51