Michael Matsuda
Monkey Kung Fu TM

     Master Michael Matsuda studied the art of Monkey Kung Fu (Tai Shing Pek Kwar) intensely for over 33 years. In that time he has mastered the entire and complete Monkey Kung Fu system and achieved the title of 6th Generation Successor of the art.
     He is only the second non-Chinese to master the entire Monkey kung fu system. He is considered one of the world's leading authorities on the history of Monkey Kung Fu, has authored three Monkey kung fu books and written over 50 published articles on the Monkey artform.
     Master Matsuda founded the U.S. Tai Shing Pek Kwar Association in 1999 in order to keep the art as pure as possible and act as a certification for new Monkey masters.
     Matsuda is the last active Monkey teacher in America. He is currently teaching at Valencia Martial Arts in Santa Clarita, CA. He has three advanced students, two of which are now certified teachers under him.
    Master Matsuda, along with his students, has taken the gauntlet in systemizing the art into a complete learning format so it can be easily taught. He is also putting the entire system in 16 highly detailed instructional DVDs so that people all over the world can learn the art.
    He doesn't teach his student just forms, but trains them how to fight in a full-contact format.
    Matsuda was induced into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame in 2004 and his uniform can be found in the Museum.
 

Master Michael Matsuda is the 6th Generation
successor of the Art of Monkey Kung Fu.

 A Quick Beginning Bio
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, Al Dacascos, 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 Buck Sam Kong. 
      He studied Hung Gar for about 6 years and continued his training on his own for another 15 years. He even opened a school in Sun Valley teaching Hung Gar. He also studied Wing Chun under one of Dan Inosanto's students and learned  kickboxing under Full-Contact Legend Cecil Peoples.
         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.
         Master Michael Matsuda currently teaches Monkey kung fu at Valencia Kung Fu in Santa Clarita, 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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Monkey Kung Fu