was an Okinawan martial arts master of Shōrin-ryū Matsumura Seitō Karate and Kobudō.
Biography Kosei Nishihira was born on the 10th of June 1942 in a small village close to Yonabaru, south of Okinawa, in Japan. From the age of fifteen,Paolo Vaccaro, "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate – La vita dei maestri ieri e oggi", Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso Spa, 2011 - page 66 he studied the "orthodox" karate style known as Shōrinryū Matsumura Seitō KarateShoshin Nagamine, "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters", ed. Tuttle Publishing, 2000Mark Bishop, "Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniques", ed. Tuttle Publishing, 1990 with Master Hohan Sōken.Ronald L. Lindsey, "Okinawa no bushi no te", ed. R R Enterprises, 2011 - page 168Tetsuhiro Hokama, "Karate Site Guidance", ed. Budovideos, 2003 - page 23
The style Nishihira was taught was very difficult, and only handed down to a very few, carefully selectedPaolo Vaccaro, "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate – La vita dei maestri ieri e oggi", Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso Spa, 2011 - page 68http://suikenbugeikai.com/dojo.htm Suiken Bugei Kai - search for "Kosei Nishihira" in "History" "uchi-deshi" (internal students).Hohan Soken's notable studentRonald L. Lindsey, "Okinawa no bushi no te", ed. R R Enterprises, 2011 - page 169 Some external students from Japan and United States of America were also taught but without some of the techniques and training considered too dangerous for general use.
At the age of thirty, he married the daughter of an Okinawan kobudō expert and had two sons. He opened a "bentoyasan" shop (lunch box caterer) in Nishihara, close to his "Sensei" Hohan Soken's house and despite his busy working days, practiced karate with commitment and passion. His diligence and commitment led to a close relationship with his Master Soken, so much that Nishihira used to call him "Tan-mei" (little uncle).Paolo Vaccaro, "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate – La vita dei maestri ieri e oggi", Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso Spa, 2011 - page 71 Nishihira remained close to Grand Master Soken right up until Soken's death, taking care of him in his old age.
During his life, Nishihira often had to challenge much stronger opponents who he eventually managed to overcome thanks to his Grand Master Soken's strict training. He was perfectly aware of the effectiveness of his techniques and had no need to create a different style.
Although he maintained a low profile for many years, Kosei Nishihira became a Grand Master, internationally recognized as the heir of Karate Matsumura Seito of Grand Master Soken.Paolo Vaccaro, "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate – La vita dei maestri ieri e oggi", Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso Spa, 2011 - page 61 and 63 Hohan Soken - The Life of a Grand Master Thanks to his humble and reserved behavior, he was faithful to his Master's desire not to openly promote his style but rather to only hand the style down to the worthiest of students. His commitment to this paradigm was such that his neighbors were not aware he was a world-renowned karateka.
Nishihira Kosei Sensei continued training until May 14, 2007, when, at the age of 64, he died.
Several karate masters in the world now claim to have been Master Nishihira's students but before dying, Master Nishihira only recognized a small handful of masters as his students, namely Giuseppe Meloni (representative for Europe), Ricky Rose (U.S.A), Theodore Lange (Australia), Steve Watson (Australia), Richard Boyden. Ricky Rose and Theodore Lange were also students of Master Soken Hohan.
Bibliography Paolo Vaccaro, "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate – La vita dei maestri ieri e oggi", Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso Spa, 2011 Ronald L. Lindsey, "Okinawa no bushi no te", ed. R R Enterprises, 2011. . Tetsuhiro Hokama, "Karate Site Guidance", ed. Budovideos, 2003 Shoshin Nagamine, "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters", ed. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. . Mark Bishop, "Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniques", ed. Tuttle Publishing, 1990. . Takayo Nakaya, "Karatedo History & Philosophy"
References
External links Bushido Academy Italy Shoshinkan: Matsumura Seito UK Nishihira Kosei Sensei history Article by Steve Watson: Disparity in teachings of Soken Sensei The History of Matsumura Hohan Soken - The Life of a Grand Master Abridged karate history of Master Phillip W. Koeppel Martial Arts Biography - Soken Hohan Fighting Arts: Chambering - note 2 at the end of the article Martial Arts Biography - Soken Hohan Interview: Ronald Lindsey, Matsumura Seito 9th Dan - search for "Nishihira"