Martial Arts History Museum
| Established | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506 |
| Coordinates | 34°10′21″N 118°20′01″E / 34.172386°N 118.333473°E |
| Type | Martial Arts History Museum |
| Director | Michael Matsuda |
| Website | http://martialartsmuseum.com |
The Martial Arts History Museum is the first museum in America devoted to the history of martial arts. It was created as an educational facility teaching young people and visitors about art, culture[1] and tradition and how Asian history became part of American history through the martial arts.[2][3] The Martial Arts History Museum is divided into several sections[4] including China, Japan,[5] Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Hawaii, Anime and Media.[6][7] From Japanese Samurai to today's Kung Fu Panda,[8] it reveals the influence of Asian artistry on the West. It is located in the Los Angeles County in the city of Burbank, California. This museum gets high marks for holding the attention of kids and for its interesting exhibits on the history of different martial arts traditions. The museum provides a fun scavenger hunt form to all young kids to encourage to learn more about martial arts history.[9]
History
The Martial Arts History Museum began its journey on September 15, 1999. The concept of the Martial Arts History Museum began in the 1980s,[10] but it took many years of research, development and planning before we took our first step. This was going to be the first museum dedicated to the martial arts so great caution was taken as we prepared to open our doors. Through the assistance of martial arts icons, business developers, people from Disney, DreamWorks and The Simpsons,[11][12] we launched the Martial Arts History Museum at Team Karate Centers in Woodland Hills in the County of Los Angeles.
The museum was started by Michael Matsuda, a 20-year contributing editor for Inside Kung fu and Black Belt magazine and one-time founder of Martial Art Magazine.[13] He is a master of Monkey Kung Fu,[14] and has been practicing various martial arts forms since 1968.[15]
The Martial Arts History Museum launched its website in 1999 and later began hosting annual Hall of Fame ceremonies. Becoming a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Martial Arts History Museum took to the road as a traveling exhibit[16] and traveled from as far South as San Diego to as far North as New Jersey. After six years of attending expos, anime festivals, martial arts tournaments, Asian shows, etc.,[17] the Martial Arts History Museum opened its doors at a brick and mortar location in the city of Santa Clarita in the Los Angeles County in 2006. In 2010, the Martial Arts History Museum relocated to the city of Burbank, CA and reopened its doors to the public on June 25, 2011.[18][19]
According to Matsuda, their most difficult task is for the community as a whole, to understand what a potential impact a Museum will have for everyone. From the garage school owner to the head of the UFC. A Museum opens the doors to young children who have never studied the arts, to visitors who come from all across the globe and more. When there is an understanding of the potential of an organized Museum such as this, the community can make a bigger difference.[20]
To benefit the martial arts community, the Martial Arts History Museum provides a series of annual documented historical publications that serve as a reference books for martial arts history. These include the history of the martial arts, the origin of the museum, the official Martial Arts Hall of Fame[21][22] and more.
Exhibits
The Martial Arts History Museum has exhibits covering a wide variety of martial arts and the countries from which each evolved. There are displays relating to kung fu, samurai, ninja, karate, judo, Hawaiian Lua, Filipino kali and Thailand’s Muay Thai including the weaponry used in each discipline.
The museum does not just limit itself to various forms of weaponry, however. It showcases a unique presentation of artifacts from every Asian culture including Korean fans, drums from Thailand and Chinese lion heads. Also on display are uniforms and personal items once belonging to various martial arts legends. A distinctive Media Room boasts famed and recognizable objects of martial arts movie and television memorabilia, including the real gopher chucks used by Steve Oedekerk in the film, "Kung Pow! Enter the Fist," the actual headband[23] used by Ralph Macchio in "The Karate Kid,"[24] the demon mask from "Revenge of the Ninja," the uniform from "Wendy Wu," and an animatronic character just installed. As part of an easy to follow self-guided tour, each section contains a fun and informative video highlighting the impact of Asian culture on American history. In 2015, the museum introduced their latest exhibit, The History of Anime, an impressive "must see" which includes Hong Kong Phooey.[25] The museum regularly holds a number of monthly events including book fairs, sword cutting demonstrations,[26] movie premieres, sushi seminars,[27] first aid workshops, blood drives, history lessons, basic language classes, Asian musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, self-defense for women workshops and more.
References
- ↑ Mills, Michelle. "25 must-see museums you have to visit", The Whittier Daily News, January 28, 2016.
- ↑ What To Do in Burbank "Martial Arts History Museum", Visit Burbank, June 21, 2011.
- ↑ Ford, William "Santos Chang Honored by Martial Arts History Museum", The Rafu Shimpo, November 21, 2014.
- ↑ Balyien "Martial Arts History Museum", Five by Five, February 18, 2015.
- ↑ Cultural News: Come to Japanese Art and Cultural Places "Martial Arts History Museum to relocated to Burbank", Cultural News, March 2, 2011.
- ↑ Neighborhoods "Martial Arts History Museum", Los Angeles.com, February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Family Days Out "Martial Arts History Museum", Great Things to do with Kids in the USA, February 1, 2016.
- ↑ Things To Do with Kids "Martial Arts History Museum", Kids Day Out at the Martial Art History Museum, June 2, 2014.
- ↑ ParentPick "Martial Arts History Museum", ParentPick, June, 2014.
- ↑ The Martial Arts News "Martial Arts History Museum", Martial Art News, October 12, 2015.
- ↑ Sherman, Alexa Joy "Things To Do", TimeOut Los Angeles, January 6, 2014.
- ↑ Editor Notes "Travel: Martial Arts History Museum", Automobile Club of Southern California, January 5, 2012.
- ↑ Koji, Steven "APA Spotlight: Michael Matsuda, Founder & President, Martial Arts History Museum", 8asians, August 25, 2011.
- ↑ Los Angeles Tourism "Monkeying Around in Los Angeles", Discover Los Angeles, January 4, 2016.
- ↑ Kreuzer, Nikki "Offbeat L.A.: Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting- The Martial Arts History Museum", The Los Angeles Beat, August 2, 2013.
- ↑ All About Martial Arts "The Martial Arts History Museum Makes a Difference", All About Martial Arts, January 5, 2012.
- ↑ Ramada Inn Area Guide "Celebrate Asian art at the Martial Arts History Museum", Ramada Inn News, February 8, 2014.
- ↑ Matsuda, Michael "The Martial Arts History Museum: How it all Began", Martial Arts History Museum, October 25, 2014.
- ↑ Lin, C.J. "Martial arts fans get their kicks at new history museum in Burbank", LA Daily News, June 26, 2011.
- ↑ Wolfe, Tommy "An Interview with Michael Matsuda", Kung-Fu Kingdom, December 6, 2014.
- ↑ Matsuda, Michael "The Official Hall of Fame", The Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame, January 15, 2015.
- ↑ The Action Elite "Martial Arts History Museum to honor the Late David Carradine", Film Combat Syndicate, December 11, 2014.
- ↑ Hall, Martha "5 Little Known Museum In and Around Los Angeles", Mommy Poppins, September 9, 2013.
- ↑ Bentancor, Nestor "G.I. Joe: Retaliatin Event at the Martial Arts History Museum", Desde Hollywood MovieNews, July 30, 2014.
- ↑ Kreuzer, Nikki "Best Museum to Channel Bruce Lee", LA Weekly, January 1, 2014.
- ↑ Hourani, James "Martial Arts History Museum Opens", NBC Channel 4: Southern California, July 8, 2011.
- ↑ Windsor "Martial Arts History Museum: From Samurai's to Sushi", Windsor Communities: Things To Do, June, 2014.