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Sifu
Michael Matsuda is an instructor in the art of Ta Sheng Pek Kwar (Tai
Shing or Dai Shing) kung fu and most recently, selected by Master Zink as
the 6th generation master of Monkey Kung Fu, Matsuda has joined Zink in
becoming one of the few non-Chinese to master all "five" monkey
forms. Matsuda is also considered one of the world's leading
authorities on Monkey. He is also
Master
Paulie Zink’s most senior and advanced student.
Michael first began training in 1968 in the art of Judo at a local
Japanese Community Center. After
learning from a strict, traditional teacher for over a year,
Matsuda began to study both Karate and Jiu Jitsu.
During his Jiu Jitsu class the instructor invited his friend, a kung fu
artist to join the class for the evening. After seeing his
performance, Matsuda was hooked.
In 1974, Matsuda
enrolled in a Hung Gar gung fu (Siu Lum Pai/Choi Lay Fut) class taught by
Sifu Lyle Fujioka. Two years
later he transferred to the main school, which was headed by Sifu Vernon
Rieta. After studying Hung
Gar for nearly three years, Paulie Zink enrolled in the class.
Matsuda and Zink became friends and began working out together
under Sigung Buck Sam Kong for nearly 10+ years.
When Zink began learning
Monkey
kung fu, he began teaching Matsuda some of the forms he had learned.
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Matsuda has been studying Tai Shing Pek Kwar under
Master
Paulie Zink for the past 26 years and is Zink’s first and longest
student. He has also studied Wing Chun under one of Dan Inosanto's
students and learned kickboxing under Full-Contact Legend Cecil
Peoples. Matsuda is also the founder of the United States Ta Sheng Pek
Kwar Association.
Matsuda, considered one
of the foremost authorities on the history of
Monkey
kung fu, has co-authored two books with Master Paulie Zink, has
written over 50 articles on Monkey kung fu for Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt,
Martial Art Magazine and Qigong Kung Fu magazines.
A former Sports
Magazine publisher, Matsuda was instrumental in producing a three-part
documentary entitled “The Martial Arts Influence on America.” He
has been the Advertising Director and Production Manager for several
magazines and newspapers. He has ran the Los Angeles Marathon four
times and was inducted into Marquis' Who's Who in Multimedia in 1998 and
1999. He is also listed as one of the Nation's Top 100 Producers in
Producer Magazine for the year 2000 and has also appeared on the seven
magazine covers. He has a certificate in graphic design, an
associate degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in management and
attended the American Film Institute for three years. Other studies
include Business Law, Computer Programming, Global Economics, Marketing,
and more.
He has authored a number of articles and interviews featuring such artists
as Dan Inosanto, Y.C. Wong, Brendan Lai, Benny Urquidez, Cecil Peoples,
Simon Rhee, Phillip Rhee, Jun Chong, Bong Soo Han, Gini Lau, Graciella
Casillas, James Lew, Eric Lee, Alvin Prouder, Philip Rhee, Bong Soo Han,
Tak Kubota, and Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham, Blinky Rodriguez,
Douglas Wong, Carrie Ogawa-Wong, Albert Leong, Ken Ota, and more.
Sifu Michael
Matsuda currently teaches Monkey kung fu to a group of students in
Glendale, California and continues his kickboxing training under Former
Full-Contact Champion Cecil Peoples.
On his Latin influence, Michael Gonzalez-Matsuda
is the bloodline descendent of one of the founding families of the City of
Los Angeles and also the bloodline descendent of one of the founding
families of the City of San Diego. He is the great....great grandson
of California Governor Jose Dario Arguello, the last Spanish-ruled
Governor. Michael is also the great...great grandson of Santiago
Arguello, the Alcalde of San Diego, brother of Luis Antonio, the
Mexican-ruled California Governor. In addition, he is the
great...great grandson of Augustin Zamorano, the provisional Governor of
California and Secretary-of-State. The same Zamorano that the San Diego
art school is named after who was also the first person to bring the
printing press to California. Michael is also the bloodline
descendent of Jose Maria Flores, General of the Mexican army that won a
decisive battle against America who was also Governor of California.
The same Flores that the Flores Adobe in Los Angeles is named after. Point
Arguello in Mid-California is named after Michael's great....great
grandfather.
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