Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Matsuda.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey began when I was around 8 years old. I was a skinny, scrawny kid and was an easy target for the school bully. My father enrolled both my brother and myself to the judo school at the Sun Valley Japanese Community Center. After a year of training the school bully jumped on my back and without hesitation, I flipped him and threw him to the ground. That was the last day I was ever bullied.
After several years as a contributing editor for the martial arts magazines, I founded and published Martial Art Magazine. After several years on the market, it wasn’t going in the direction I had wanted and it was then I received an offer for purchase, which I accepted.
I was looking to create something more permanent for the history of the martial arts. Something that would last not just for one issue, but for a lifetime. In 1988, I decided to create a museum dedicated to martial arts and Asian history. For the next 11 years, I went back to school to learn how to manage, design and operate a museum. In 1999, after I felt confident enough, I started the Martial Arts History Museum.
Until then, there had been one Bruce Lee Museum but it was only part of a supply store and failed after its first year. I did not want this to be a failure so going back to school would help me properly establish the first of its kind in the world.
On Sept. 15, 1999, the Martial Arts History Museum was launched and began as a traveling exhibit. It was a 1,000 square feet exhibit that traveled across the country. From small events to large-scale facilities, it allowed us to drive interest to the museum.
I had decided that the museum shouldn’t be about the punch and kick, which everyone knows about. Rather, it should be focused on the countries in which the art came from, how the martial arts played a key role in Asian artistry, music, tradition and culture. From the Kabuki theater, the Chinese opera, the artistry of the samurai, the drums of the Thai fighters, etc. The museum would be a place where children and visitors could learn about different cultures. I feel that the more we learn about each other, the better we can understand each other. It was a unique way to fight against racism and prejudice.
Upon the encouragement of the city of Santa Clarita, we opened up in Newhall in 2006. The city never kept their promises so we relocated to Burbank in 2010. With the wonderful assistance of my friends and relatives from the Walt Disney company, DreamWorks, The Simpsons and Halloween designers, we added that special touch to make this museum different than all the others.
We installed unique displays such as Elvis Presley’s gi, the actual headband from the Karate Kid movie, the uniforms of the great pioneers of the martial arts, the actual drums from the Chinatown parade, etc. In all, we divided the museum into several sections: Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Hawaii, the Philippines, Anime and Martial Arts in the Media.
100 percent of the items are donated and we have so many, we have to keep a number of items in storage because of lack of space.
The museum brings in thousands of visitors from across the world. We throw at least two events every month which include samurai sword cutting, honor days, seminars, workshops, book readings, photo exhibits and more.
The museum also hosts the biggest martial arts convention on the West Coast called Dragonfest which is held in the city of Burbank each year. It is quickly becoming the “comic-con” for the martial arts community.
We also host a ton of field trips for the local schools, home schools, mentally and physically challenged kids and even a host of senior groups. We include scavenger hunts for the kids to enjoy and learn from.
The museum is a fun and educational place for the kids and families to visit. As they learn about Theodore Roosevelt learning judo, they watch as the first anime was created, how the media, through such films as Billy Jack, Kung Fu Panda and Avatar: The Last Airbender, all used martial arts throughout their story. It is a place for learning about diverse cultures and different traditions.
There are over 50,000 martial arts schools across America alone and the Martial Arts History Museum has become the “home for the martial arts” worldwide. As one visitor told me, this became part of his “bucket list.”
The museum is a place of inspiration, a place that reveals the artistry, music and culture of different Asian countries. From a few animatronic talking figures (it’s the Disney in me, I can’t help it), to colorful displays and unique artifacts, it has something for everybody.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I began this journey, to start the museum, I knew this was not going to be an easy path. We were going to hit a number of roadblocks along the way and yes, we have. I knew I was going to have to give up everything to make this dream come alive.
When I sold my magazine and looked toward starting a museum, I did not want to be just someone who puts up a few pictures and calls it a museum. I went back to college for another 11 years to learn how to run, design and manage a museum.
When I took the museum on the road as an exhibit, it was a great testing ground; my research and development. Every exhibit was different until I could find what people would enjoy, want to read, etc. My worst showing was when I made it a who’s who. No one knows who anyone was and didn’t care.
Through the years I’ve had many displays break apart, I had to sneak in my artifacts so the Union wouldn’t charge me for unloading a big truck but for the most part, it has been a struggle in regard to my time and personal finance.
The martial arts community is not a rich community and for many years we had hoped we would get some backing. I had gone to the mayor of Los Angeles, the LA city council, the congressman, the mayor of Santa Clarita, the Board Supervisor, you name it, I met with all of them. Now, typically, the city provides a $1 a year lease for museums. However, either we didn’t know enough people or didn’t do something for someone, they just wouldn’t give it to us. That was very disappointing. I petitioned them for over a decade. My friends all got properties but I guess I wasn’t doing enough for someone.
I think my biggest struggle and disappointment was expecting some of the big martial arts stars such as Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean Claude, Donnie Yen, Billy Blanks to give back to the community by making a donation to the museum. After tons of letters, emails and phone calls, we have yet to receive a single dime from any of them. That I feel, is my biggest disappointment.
Thankfully, we have never really struggled. Of course, there are bumps and bruises along the way, thousands of broken promises for funding but I feel that going back to college prepared me to make the museum a success and it is. We are experiencing growing pains with high hopes of relocating to larger facility in the near future.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Martial Arts History Museum – what should we know?
The Martial Arts History Museum is the first of its kind in the world and I am so proud to have it in the city of Burbank. It is a very exciting place and 100 percent of the items here are donated. We have tremendous support from the community, from marketing companies, from television commercials to locations. They believe this is something important for all to enjoy and they fully support it.
When I went back to college, I had already received my degree in journalism, but it was so important to learn every aspect of the business. After all, even though it’s a museum, it’s also still a business. I received another degree in business management, attended the American Film Institute for learning directing and film production, learned set design, graphic design, fabric design, printing and my favorite, public relations and marketing. These courses, 11 years worth, have been instrumental for the museum.
Although as its president I wear many hats, when I outsource projects, I know exactly what to ask for, the workmanship involved, etc. Like Walt Disney who started as a cartoonist, he learned every aspect of his business.
I happily enjoy doing the designs for the museum. Even though I could send it out, designing is the most fun for me. It’s a form a relaxation as I designed all the logos, t-shirts, museum displays and even the jewelry for the museum store.
I am most proud of our new branch of the museum called Museum Productions. This is an area that handles the media portion. Through this we have launched a weekly episode on YouTube called “Coffee at the Museum” and we have also started a “biography” series creating DVDs of the most historic figures in the martial arts.
But I think that our Dragonfest expo is without a doubt, the most fun. It is a huge convention which we took over five years ago. Altogether, Dragonfest will be 15 years old. It is a wonderful expo of Asian artistry, martial arts icons, celebrities, toys and products and a full day of cultural performances such as hula dancing, bamboo dancing, lion dancing and even samurai sword cutting. It is the Comic-Con for the martial arts and in just four years, we have 4x the attendance. It two more years, we will have over 10,000 visitors with my goal of 50,000 very soon.
What set this museum apart from the others? We are fairly close to the Natural History Museum, the Gene Autry Museum, the Japanese American National Museum. They are all great facilities and they a huge in comparison.
Let me put it this way, when I went to those museums when I was young, I ran around, gawked at the dinos, but I rarely read the info, paid more attention to the buffalos, etc.
When we have tours for the kids, the teachers tell us, “I have never seen the kids give you full attention for the entire tour.” I designed this museum for both the kids and adults to enjoy.
For the kids, it has many items that are relatable such as Kung Fu Panda, Ninja, Samurai armor they can touch, drums they can bang on. I went to so many museums for ideas and this museum has specific colors that are pleasing, specific type sizes that encourage you to read more. But most of all, it has things that people experienced when they were young. From how martial arts was in the James Bond movies, how James Cagney did judo, the impact of anime, the actual Hawaiian shark teeth weapons. We also provide them with scavenger hunts so they can run around and fill out the forms.
We have so many repeat tours from the very same kids that came months before. The museum has a wonderful atmosphere and as one martial arts visitor told me, “It feels like home because he grew up seeing all these people on the walls.” It is unlike any museum in the world and after you visit, you will see why.
What am I known for? Not just a martial arts veteran and historian of 50 years, but my work as a producer. I graced the cover of Producer magazine as one of the Top 100 producers of the year and have authored nearly 10 published books. I know, that was a weird question they gave me.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife Karen. We gave up our home to make this dream a reality.
I have often been asked, “What is your favorite thing about the museum.” And I have to answer, “it’s the journey.” Through these 18 plus years, we have met so many wonderful and generous people along the way. People who barely make it and still donate every year. So many of them have become such dear friends and supporters. Though the journey has not been easy, these amazing volunteers, donors and supporters continue to give of themselves to help us out because this dream is about saving our history.
The martial arts inspired people, helped build their confidence, helped them to overcome being bullied like myself, it has helped many such as Norris, Chan, etc. to become movie stars and provide and excellent career for them. It is not just about the arts, but what it has done for each of us. Each of us has our stories and the martial arts helped us overcome.
What better way to say thank you to the martial arts than supporting a museum dedicated to preserving its history.
Who are your mentors? In regard to mentors, my father Joe, who was the leader of our YMCA group and put me into the limelight as a public speaker at only 10 years old. To Walt Disney, who saw no limits in the word imagination, to John Corcoran who inspired me to write, to Alexander Fu Sheng, the greatest martial arts actor in history and to God who I couldn’t do this without Him.
It is all of us, who made the Martial Arts History Museum a reality.
Pricing:
- Cost of the Museum is $10 for adults, $5 for kids
Contact Info:
- Address: 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506
- Website: http://www.mamuseum.com
- Phone: (818) 478-1722
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martialartsmuseum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martial-Arts-History-Museum/133655643363210
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mamuseum
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/martial-arts-history-museum-burbank
- Other: https://plus.google.com/100985064047630480457
Image Credit:
Jacquelyn Egger
Mario Prado
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
