The Martial Arts History Museum, rich with history and artifacts from various cultures worldwide, has recently become part of Glendale’s arts and culture scene. The museum, which began as a traveling pop-up exhibit before establishing a permanent location in 1999 in Santa Clarita, later moved to Burbank, where it operated for 14 years.
Seeking to expand its reach and size, Michael Matsuda, the museum’s president and founder, believes Glendale will be its permanent home. “I am thrilled to death to be here,” Matsuda expressed, noting the warm reception from Glendale’s city staff and council.
Matsuda’s journey with martial arts began in 1967 as a means to combat bullying. His passion for martial arts grew, leading him to write for martial arts magazines and eventually start his own publication. This passion evolved into the creation of the Martial Arts History Museum, intended to preserve and celebrate martial arts’ cultural, historical, and artistic aspects.
The museum features sections dedicated to the martial arts practices of various cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Korean. Matsuda plans to expand the museum’s scope to include additional countries and regions. Notably, the museum highlights Hawaiian martial arts, which were kept secret until recent decades.
The museum also explores the influence of martial arts on American culture, particularly in cinema. Matsuda emphasized the importance of preserving martial arts history due to its significant impact on American entertainment and society.
The new Glendale location is four times larger than the previous Burbank site and includes a 122-seat theater. This theater hosts special events, such as lectures, movie screenings, and workshops, enhancing the museum’s offerings.
Matsuda aims to collaborate with local schools for field trips and partner with other Glendale arts attractions for bundle ticket deals. As a nonprofit organization, the museum is dedicated to community outreach, collaborating with the Make A Wish Foundation, offering special tours for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and creating video content for seniors and health classes. The museum also hosts anti-Asian hate and anti-bullying events.
The museum’s largest event, Dragonfest, will be held on August 3 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. This event features cultural performances, dancing, 100 vendor booths, seminars, and special celebrity guests.
For more information, visit martialartsmuseum.com.
