Kung-fu fighting comes to town

The creator of a martial arts museum in Burbank says the new attraction will give the public the back-story on how the martial arts came to America and offer hands-on experiences that will help people learn about Asian culture.

The nonprofit Martial Arts History Museum will open next month, said president and founder Michael Matsuda, having relocated from Valencia after four years there. Matsuda has purchased the Magnolia Park location, a former medical office, and has gutted the interior.

“It’s the first museum in the world featuring all aspects of Asian martial arts and Asian culture,” Matsuda said.

Burbank is the perfect place for the museum because of its proximity to the entertainment industry, and while the martial arts have been here since the 1800s, Western culture’s love for them experienced a resurgence through films like 1945’s “Blood on the Sun,” which starred James Cagney, he said.

“The film had sequences with judo, and James Cagney had to go to Japan to learn judo for the film,” Matsuda said. “In the 1960s, Anne Frances used martial arts moves in her TV series ‘Honey West.’ Martial arts kicks were used in ‘The Matrix’ and now it’s part of our cartoons in ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘Shrek.’ “

The museum will be set up in timeline order, recreating how martial arts developed throughout Asian countries. Exhibits will feature artifacts including iconic outfits, tournament costumes, movie wardrobe and historical photographs.

Exhibits will be rotated and sometimes will be accompanied by films that lend to the theme. A screening room is just down the street, Matsuda said. The business next door has recently left and can be rented when the museum offers seminars and workshops on such topics as Asian swords and stunt fighting.

Matsuda plans to include exhibits on Chinese opera and puppetry and Japanese sushi demonstrations to give guests an in-depth look at Asian culture.

Also planned are meet-and-greet events with martial arts celebrities and action film stars, he said.

The first public event will be a sampler with free admission. Regular admission will be $6, but memberships will allow free admittance to all seminars, he said.

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Infobox

What: The Martial Arts History Museum

Where: 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank

Contact: Mamuseum.com