Martial Arts Leaders Supporting the New Museum Initiative

LOS ANGELES, CA, (NAMC) December 8, 2004, It was announced today that the "Martial Arts History Museum' ( www.martialartsmuseum.com ), a non profit organization based in California, has received additional letters of support from martial arts community leaders. Both Art Camacho and James Lew have been driving forces in the martial arts community as well as the action film industry.

"Today, a martial arts studio can be found every few miles. The martial arts are in nearly every action-oriented film and television show. The martial arts is part of our history and its becoming more and more popular. I feel this is the appropriate time for a Martial Arts History Museum. Not just for exposing people to the martial arts world, but sharing the history of the martial arts, its foundation to children all over the world. I am very proud to support this effort and am behind it 100 percent and encourage everyone to be part of this effort." stated action film director and martial arts leader Art Camacho in a letter to the museum

"A museum for the martial arts is long overdue. There is so much history that unless a museum is made to preserve that history, many of these wonderful stories of how karate and kung fu came to America will be lost. The martial arts is a unique part of the history of both Los Angeles and the nation. It should not be forgotten.", stated action film star and martial arts leader James Lew in a letter to the museum.

"We are honored to continue to receive the support from the martial arts community as we have been, Art Camacho and James Lew are assets to the community as well as to the museum's future' Stated Michael Matsuda, president and founder of the "Martial Arts History Museum'.

The museum is currently asking all of those that are currently involved in the martial arts industry to participate in the membership drive for the museum. They are currently looking to boost their membership base to reach in the hundreds short-term. To support the museum, join at www.martialartsmuseum.com .

Currently the museum's board of directors comprises of it's founder Michael Matsuda, world renowned martial artist and publisher of the largest grass roots martial arts magazine in the world, "Action Martial Arts Magazine' ( www.actionnetworks.net ) Alan Goldberg, and well renowned action film coordinator and producer Art Camacho.

For advertising and press inquiries call their public relations agency, New Age Media Concepts, at 888-463-9237, www.namct.com .

About the Martial Arts History Museum

The Martial Arts History Museum was originally launched as a project in 1999. It first began with the establishment of a non-bias, non-advertising related Martial Arts Hall of Fame. It was the brainchild of kung fu pioneer Michael Matsuda. The first public ceremony for the Hall of Fame was on November 18, 2001 at Gerald Okamura's 6th Annual Dragonfest Martial Arts Convention.

Over the years, the Hall of Fame and the museum drew more attention, as of 2004, over 250,000 votes were received for the Hall of Fame. As a result of this interest, museum president Michael Matsuda decided to go forward and establish the Martial Arts History Museum as a fully, non-profit organization.

The Martial Arts History Museum is not a Who's Who of the martial arts, but a museum that is focused on the history of these arts. As identified in its title, History plays the more prominent role. The martial arts is more than just an art of fighting, it is an art of tradition, respect, honor and culture. This includes both the philosophy and the art through weaponry, through costumes, through uniforms and through artifacts. As the sacredness of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, the ceremony of bestowing a Black Belt is an honorable event.

The history of the martial arts, however, is not limited to the Asian culture, but it spans over numerous countries from the Vikings to the Romans to the Indians, the martial arts has continued to spread across the world. The Martial Arts History Museum is a dedication to those arts and how they were founded and how the spread through the globe. The museum will also include how Hollywood has embraced the arts in every action movie it produces. The museum will enlighten the eyes of our children so that they will understand the impact and life-changing events that the martial arts have created.

Contact
Martial Arts History Museum
Website: www.martialartsmuseum.com