Takamatsu was born in the 23rd year of Meiji (10th March 1887), in Akashi, Hyogo province. His given name was Hisatsugu, he later changed the name using the kanji characters to Toshitsugu. In his youth he was also known as Jutaro. From 1936-1966, when he gave an interview, Takamatsu told the interviewer that he had no looked in a mirror in all that time, and if he did, he would say to his reflection, “Who are you?”.

Takamatsu used to go to sleep at 9pm, and his cat, a Siamese called “Jiro”, given to him by Ichiro Kode, via Hatsumi Masaaki would sleep with him. He would then rise at 6:30am, and preform a ritual called “Reisui Masatsu”, this is rubbing the body with a cold wet towel, a daily ritual he had done since 1926. In all those years he was never ill. Takamatsu did comment that his lack of illness was partially due to luck, and not the wet towel treatment. He would walk everyday for one hour, covering approximately 8 miles, usually taking his dogs (he had 20 Spitzes). He also said that he was a very bad time keeper. Just for his own pleasure he would paint everyday, just because he enjoyed ft. He once said he made lots of mistakes in his youth.

Takamatsu had very low blood pressure, so for this he drank “Yomeishu”, and a glass of salt water, which he said was for his nerves.

When Takamatsu was young his class mates made him get down on his hands, and knees, and tie a rope to him. They would then whip him until he cried, at school he was called “cry baby”.

One of these occasions was when he was in the third grade at school. He was forced to take part in a class Sumo competition As he was forced to take part, he started to cry. His classmates noticed this, and started to tease him. When his turn came he reluctantly entered the ring, his opponent saw how I frightened he was, and teased him even further. The boy rushed Takamatsu, and without realizing it, he moved to the side. The boy missed him, and ran straight out of the ring. The teacher shouted aloud “Takamatsu is the winner”. After this he had to fight more of his classmates. Eventually the biggest boy in the class came to the ring. By now the class had started to cheer Takamatsu. The boy charged, and in fright Takamatsu put his hands up in front of himself, by doing so the large boy ran into him, and was knocked by the collision onto his back. Takamatsu was the winner. Then everyone said that Takamatsu was now the strongest.

His Grandfather, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, had a bone clinic, and a Budo Dojo in Kobe. In this Dojo he was a Soke of a fighting system known as Shindenfudo Ryu. Toda was a 8th generation of Tozawa Ryu Taro, who himself was a direct descendant of Tozawa Hakuunsai, the original founder of Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu.

Takamatsu’s father, Yasaburo, during his life time had nine different wives, he also owned a Match factory in Kobe. Yasaburo was also known as Takamatsu Gishin (Yukichi). Takamatsu Sensei’s natural mother was Takamatsu Fushi.

The Takamatsu family originated from Matsugashima in Ise. At one point in their family history the Takamatsu’s had been the Daimyo of this area, owing the Hosokubi castle. One of their ancestors was Takamatsu Masatoshi. The family were also connected to the Amsuta Shrine. Fujiwara Toshihiro gave the Takamatsu family a makimono scroll called “Amatsu Tatara. This was kept at the shrine. Takamatsu’s father received from Kumano Shugendo a Dai-Ajari (master degree). Later he because a company president in Akashi, and moving the family there. He was also to become a local government officer. The Amatsu Tatara scroll connected the Takamatsu family to the Kuki family. Many people believe the Kuki family to be hereditary heirs to the Kukishinden Ryu. They are in fact the heirs to the Kukishin Ryu, a different martial school. In 1920 the Kuki family, permitted Takamatsu to copy all of their scrolls, including their copy of the Amatsu Tatara. Takamatsu later recopied the Amatsu Tatara scroll for the Kuki family, after theirs was destroyed in the war. 3rd April 1959 he presented them with a new copy written by him. He later explained the contents of the scroll to the Kuki.

Yasaburo wanted Takamatsu to join the military, but Takamatsu was such a timid child, and a “cry baby”, he consulted Toda. Toda said that Budo (Martial Arts), would make him strong. and give him self confidence. From then on Takamatsu was sent to the Shindenfudo Ryu Dojo every night after school. He said, later, that he felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter house.

Toda was of Samurai rank, and originally came from Iga province. Some of Takamatsu’s family had come from Takao, in Iga. This is probably another branch of his family on his fathers side. Takao is a mountainous part of Iga. He said that he thought only a small number of his family had studied Ninjutsu.

In the old day’s It was usual for the senior student to teach the beginners, but on this occasion, he was taught directly by Toda. For the first year he was taught nothing. Toda, and the other students continuously threw him about the dojo. When the blood started to drip from his elbows, and knees nobody comforted him, they just continued the repetitive throwing, but still every night he came back. After one year he of continuous beatings he was taught his first techniques.

Above the door of the Dojo was a plague that read “Shindenfudo Ryu Jutaijutsu”, Toda also taught Shinden Koto Ryu Karate (later changed to Koto Ryu Koppojutsu), Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu, Kumogakure Ryu Ninjutsu, Gyokushin Ryu Ninjutsu, and the Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu. When he was 13 years old he had mastered the techniques of the school (this means that he was to become a license of the school, this was common practice in the past. To give this title to gifted students, meant that they would study harder to attain the skills expected of them).

By this time Toda had written a textbook on Military strategies, and he was invited to lecture at the Emperors military school. In later years Toda, and Takamatsu would together publish a military textbook, and the military adopted these techniques into their own system.

After the Shindenfudo Ryu Toda taught him solely the Koto Ryu and the Togakure Ryu The Koto Ryu training involved hitting small pebbles with the fingertips. The nails, and fingers would run with blood, and cause great pain. Later you move onto rocks etc. Takamatsu said that this sort of training is of no use today, as it causes problems to the joints in later years, he suffered a little from arthritis. His hands where so flexible, that when bent backwards his hands almost touched the backs of his wrists. He found the Koto Ryu to be “fun”, but he had little interest in the Togakure Ryu’s Ninjutsu training.

The main part of his Ninjutsu practice, was to run up a 2.5 inch (6cm) board, fixed to the wall of the Dojo at a sharp angle. The angle started at 45 degrees then 60 degrees, then 70 degrees. Eventually he could run up a 90 degree wall.

In the spring when he was 13 years old, Takamatsu left high school to go to the George Bundow, English school, and the Chinese school of classics in his home town of Kobe. It was while he was here that he entered the Takagi Yoshin Ryu where Mizuta Yoshitaro Tadafusa was the Soke. He practiced at this Dojo everyday, and when he was 17 years old, Mizuta gave him the Menkyo Kaiden to the Takagi Yoshin Ryu.

Another incident that occurred when Takamatsu was 13 years old. He fought a Sumo wrestler in a competition, whose name was “Oni no Yama” (Demon mountain). These competitions were held regular in all of the towns, and villages in Japan, and it was common for all teenagers to take part. ON was first set to fight Raiden (Thunder lightning). They met in the middle of the ring, and Raiden was easily beaten by Oni. Takamatsu entered the ring, not even bothering to put on the traditional Sumo belt worn by wrestlers. When Takamatsu was asked his name, he replied “Akebono”. ON attacked Takamatsu. but he was thrown from the ring with little difficulty. Takamatsu was proclaimed the winner. Takamatsu then fought several other men, some of these were up to 10 years older than himself, but he still easily beat them. Then into the ring entered a large man over twice the weight of young Takamatsu (Akebono). He called himself Osakayama (Osaka mountain). They clashed in the middle, but due to his size Takamatsu had difficulty in moving him, Osakayama grabbed Takamatsu by the waist, and started to push him out of the ring. While doing this Osakayama accidentally placed his foot outside of the ring, and Takamatsu was proclaimed the winner. Takamatsu had won, and Osakayama, told Takamatsu that he was really called Kokumonryu (Black dragon gate), and was a famous Sumo wrestler from Osaka. As Takamatsu walked home, Kokumonryu, and walked with him to his home. Kokumonryu asked Takamatsu’s father if he would allow him to take young Takamatsu back to Osaka with him, and take him on as a student of Sumo. His father refused saying that he was already studying Budo.

Again while he was 13 years old, Takamatsu was walking along the Arima road in Kobe. A group of youths grabbed him by the sleeve. They claimed that he was getting ‘Too big for his boots”, and “above his station”. They told him to follow them. This he did, until he reached a landfill, which had once been the Goro pond. One of the youths hit Takamatsu, and was immediately thrown. Two more attacked, but they too were thrown. Takamatsu shouted at them calling them idiots, and then he ran home. The following evening Takamatsu was with a friend called Osaka Kun. They were on their way to the bath house. The gang of youths this time much large, and the leader held a Katana in his hand. They issued a challenge to Takamatsu, and also gave him the chance to apologize for beating them the day before. Takamatsu started to kneel pretending that he was going to apologize, when he suddenly grabbed a large stone, and hit the youth with the Katana on the shin. Straight away Takamatsu was attacked by others. He fought eight of them, and the rest ran away. The Kobe Kiryubashi police station sent a police officer to see Takamatsu the next day. He asked Takamatsu how many people had helped him fight the gang. When he said that he did it by himself, he was not believed, as the gang had been as many as 60 members, and ten of them had been injured. Osaka Kun was also questioned. He backed Takamatsu’s story, adding that he did nothing but sit, and watch. Toda Shinryuken, his grandfather had to come to the police station, and bail him out of jail. He told the police that even though only 13 years he had the skill of a licensee. Next day the local Kobe newspaper had a head line which read “13 years old Judo expert easily flung away 60 gangsters”.

In Toda’s dojo, Takamatsu was sometimes called Kotengu (small goblin). because of the way he fought, not even allowing the adults to better him. He was also sometimes also called “Kikaku” (Demon horn). This was his first martial name, which he was later to pass onto one of his students, Nobuyoshi Takeuchi. He then took the name “Chosui”, which again was given to another pupil Ueno Takashi (Chosui Takashi). He now lays claim to being the Soke of Gyokushin Ryu). It has even been said that he may even be a nephew of Takamatsu, but this has been unconfirmed. Other names Takamatsu used were, “Yokuoh” (leaping and running in the sky old man), and “Garakutabujinn (Enjoy sketching martial artist).

When Takamatsu was once at the seaside he saw two children arguing over a swing. As children sometimes do they started to fight. Four men who were watching, then started to cheer the older of the two. The younger child was starting to win, so one of the men went over to the two fighting children, and hit the youngest one. Takamatsu saw this and ran over to the scene shouting at the men to. leave the children alone. The four men turned on him. Two grabbed his arms, one grabbed him around the waist, while the other started to hit him. With a shout he threw the men off him. Of the four men, two held the rank of Juryo in Sumo, and the third who grabbed him around the middle was a licensed instructor from the Ishibashi Takagi Yoshin Ryu. He was also known as the “Demon of Okurantani village” (Note: as was previously mentioned in the Takagi Yoshin Ryu history, Ishibashi received the Menkyo Kaiden from Ishitani).

When he was 15 years old he fought two students from the Musashi Ryu Jujutsu, called Hitotsubashi, and Kanzashi. Takamatsu at this time was nicknamed Kotaro. It was common practice for the challengers to fight three members of the Ryu they had challenged. The first two must be of the highest rank, the third maybe the oldest, but not the best. If all three were beaten, then the Kancho (founder) or Soke would fight them. One of Toda’s senior students Kamiya (aka Shindo-kun) who was 25 years old, whom Toda had given the Menkyo Kaiden to, was the first to f ight. He fought Hitotsubashi who also had the Menkyo kaiden in the Musashi Ryu. They bowed then fought. kamiya grabbed Hitotsubashi’s sleeve and preformed “Hikikomi Moguri Gata Ganseki Otoshi”. His techniques was perfect, however the Musashi Ryu teaches you to move with the technique, giving a false impression to your opponent, that they have won. Kamiya, was kicked in the solar plexus stunning him. kamiya was out cold, and Hitotsubashi, was proclaimed the winner.

Takamatsu, then called Kotaro (Young Tiger), was next to fight. He had at this point never been beaten, and it was said that even at his young age he was an intensely dangerous fighter.

First he fought Hitotsubashi, who kept his distance from Takamatsu, trying to get Takamatsu to come closer to attack. Then suddenly Hitotsubashi attacked with a right punch. Takamatsu dropped to the ground and applied oni Taoshi. Hitotsubashi hit the ground, and was restrained by Takamatsu causing him to faint. Next Takamatsu fought Kanzaki, who was 29 years old, and called Kishin (demon spirit), by the Musashi Ryu. He was also ranked Menkyo Kaiden (some say that he was able to give mastership licenses to people). Kanzaki attacked firstwith afeint. Takamatsu fell for this, and as a result Kanzaki broke Takamatsu’s left elbow. Takamatsu countered this with Gyaku Ganseki Otoshi. Kanzaki was not able to escape this throw, this technique beat Kanzaki, and as he was being taken down he was attacked again by Takamatsu with a fib breaking Hijidome elbow strike, but the broken elbow, caused him to pass out. However, as Kanzaki he some how managed to slap Takamatsu’s ears, causing one of the them to rupture (This was later the cause for him to be excused from military service, and also left him deaf in one ear). The two fighters were revived by Toda, and together the men talked for many hours about fighting arts. Kanzaki commented that he had visited many Doio’s to fight, but he had never met anyone like Takamatsu. Kanzaki was amazed when he was told that Takamatsu was only 15 years old.

Another event that took place in the Shindenfudo Ryu, was when a member of the Sekiguchi Ryu Jujutsu, came to the Dojo to issue a challenge. The seating pattern in the Dojo, placed young, and skillful members in the lower area, older, and not so skillful in the higher seats. One member of the Dojo aged 37, and f rom the higher seats, was covered in burn scars across his face, and he was new to the dojo. He took up the challenge, even when the other students tried to stop him. He got up from his seat, and ran down the dojo screaming a loud Kiai. Immediately the man from the Sekiguchi Ryu backed away in fear, and cancelled the contest. When questioned by Toda, he said he had to quit, because the attacking man looked so frightening, and powerful.

When Takamatsu was 17 years old, an old man who was famous for his martial arts in Japan, called Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage. came to the Match factory owned by Takamatsu’s father. He was using an old oak Bokken for a walking stick. Ishitani’s ancestors were related to the Takamatsu family (maybe for this reason he came to the match factory). Takamatsu’s father gave Ishitani a job as security guard, and Ishitani was also given a small area of the factory to use as a Dojo. With another person Takamatsu leapt at the chance to study under the old man. From him he studied the “Kuki Happo Biken no Jutsu” (Kukishinden Ryu) “The skill of the hidden weapons against nine demons in eight directions”. Ishitani also trained in various aspects of Ninjutsu. Ishitani also taught Takamatsu two other schools of which he was also Soke of. These were Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, which he was also studying with Mizuta, and Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu.

On one occasion the sleeping area for the Match factories workers caught fire. As everyone ran around screaming, Takamatsu was observed to be smoking a cigar, watching the fire. He then got one of the thick training Gi jackets, soaked it in water, put the jacket on. He grabbed a Hanbo (3ft stick), and running into the burning area. started to knock down the sliding walls with the hanbo. The collapsing walls helped extinguish the flames, saving the rest of the factory

Ishitani died a few more years, moments after passing the scrolls onto Takamatsu. it is said that he “died with his head in Takamatsu’s lap”.

Toda once told Takamatsu that “even when you are faced with death, die laughing”.

Toda died 6th December 1909. Takamatsu received his Menkyo Kaiden from Toda when he was 22 years old.

Toda once told Takamatsu these two things

1. Even when you are standing in front of defeat, do it smiling.

2. Never talk about your knowledge, it might make it disappear.

Toda was also a senior instructor in Bikenshin Ryu Kenjutsu, a school that taught the Tokugawa shoguns. He also taught at a military academy in Nakano.

When Takamatsu was 18 years old he was working for his father at the Match factory. He would every day fetch the 330 gallons of fresh water the factory needed. The water came from a spring, which poured from the mouth of a stone turtle called “Kamae no mizu” (turtles water), on the Maruyama mountain, near to the Jinma shrine, in Akashi. this was sited 2/3 of a mile from the factory. The normal load, per trip, by the workers was two buckets, but Takamatsu would fetch four at a time, he made ten trips, each one weighing 529 pounds. He did this to condition, and strengthen his waist, and legs.

One morning one of the workers was talking to Takamatsu, and other workers at the match factory. He complained that the night before, while on a errand, he crossed the Shinbashi bridge,. It was on the bridge that his path was blocked by a man much larger than himself. The worker tried to move to the left so that he could pass him, but as he moved, the man also moved to still block his way. So the worker moved to the right, and again the big man followed. The big man then grabbed him by the collar, and he was then thrown into the water. The worker then begged not to be sent on any more errands over the Shinbashi bridge at night. As he talked he was overheard by another worker, who said that a few nights before the same had happened to him. The Shinbashi bridge is very close to the Akashi shore, and Takamatsu decided that he would cross the bridge himself. That night he crossed it several times, but nothing happened.

The following day the same thing happened again. Takamatsu assumed that the attacker must know him, so using the Hensojutsu skills from the Togakure Ryu, and the Kukishinden Ryu. He walked across the bridge. At the half way point, another man walked towards him. He was wearing a hat that shielded his eyes, and face, making it impossible to see his face. Takamatsu stepped to the right, so he could pass. The man followed, so Takamatsu stepped to the left. The man followed, and instantly grabbed Takamatsu by the collar. Takamatsu adjusted his body posture, so that it was impossible for the attacker to throw him. The man tried to still throw Takamatsu. Takamatsu punched the man in the face, and continued until the man fell down. Takamatsu turned the man over, removed his hat, and recognised him. He was a Miyata, a middle ranking student from the same Takagi Yoshin Ryu Dojo, run by Mizuta that Takamatsu himself studied in. Takamatsu told the man that he was a disgrace to the school, and left him laying on the bridge.

A short time after this Takamatsu left for China. One of the reasons was that he wished to test his training. As this was no longer possible in Japan, he left for China, to work for the many warring warlords that doted China.

it was while in China, that he was employed by a local contractor to help decorate the Japanese sector for the Japanese Emperors birthday. The contractor was called Matatago, and Takamatsu with a friend, they set about decorating the roof tops. Takamatsu, employed many foreigners, who were working as labourers. Takamatsu was on the ground, when he called to his friend, Ogasawara who was on the roof. When no reply came he climbed up to the roof to look for Ogasawara. He saw that he his friend was just about to be thrown off the roof top. As Takamatsu was running to his aid, the labourers turned on him. Using only blocks with his hands and feet, he knocked them from the roof.

Another story also relates how Takamatsu was once charged with murder. Several men from a gang were wrecking some of the local shops, in the Japanese community he was staying in while in China. Several men from a local gang were wrecking some of the local shops, belonging to the Japanese merchants. Takamatsu intervened. The gang armed with swords turned on the unarmed Takamatsu, and as they attacked him. Takamatsu made his way to the top of a nearby hut with a very sloped roof. Some of them followed him to the top of the hut, but as they were unable to cope with the slope, they fell off the roof onto their own swords. The others as they attacked, ended up killing each other, as Takamatsu used his Taisabaki, and his Taijutsu to avoid the attacks.The police came, and arrested Takamatsu, he was charged with murder. The penalty for this was death. In court Takamatsu claimed that he was unarmed, and the men killed each other. All he had done was block their cuts, and move out of the way of others. The merchants to whose aid Takamatsu had come to, confirmed his story. As a result he was found not guilty, as a result of self defense.

Some of the areas Takamatsu went to in China are Tensein, Mongolia, and Manchuria, where he was employed by the many warlords.

On his first trip to China. Takamatsu went via Korea, and studied under Kim Kei-mei. He later mastered up to eighteen Chinese and Korean martial arts.

When Takamatsu returned from China he had a severe lung illness, and was suffering from Beri-beri. He was told by a local doctor that he would never recover from these illnesses. He was at this time staying with his grandmother. She lived in Higashi Shirakecho, and area of Hyogo. One month after his return his father insisted that he return to the family home. His grandmother refused to let him leave, so his father stopped supporting her financially. Takamatsu would not allow this to happen, so he left for the hills. He was at this time 21 years old, when he ran away to Mt Mata San, near to the Kobe area.

Here he lived on raw rice for one year which he had brought with him. Some people have said his legs were so bad that he crawled up the mountain, with the rice strapped to his back. Sometimes he would cook the rice on stones that had been heated in the sun. He built a hut out of log, the size of two tatami mats. He virtually recovered, but was found by a monk, known as “old man Tamaoki”. The information about this meeting is vague as some say that Takamatsu could only get around by dragging his body behind himself. Either way, Tamaoki found him, and told him that he had a tapeworm inside him. The monk chanted forTakamatsu, and performed the kuji kiri”To-in” (Sword seal sign), and then hit Takamatsu hard in the stomach with his fingers. The old monk said that within three days Takamatsu would be better, and the tapeworm would be gone. Takamatsu said that he found this difficult to believe. A few days later, Takamatsu felt a severe pain in his bowls, as he relieved himself, a large tapeworm came from his body. Soon he was back training in the hills, practicing his Koto Ryu, and his Togakure Ryu. He said that he regarded the rocks as his friends, and would constantly train with them, jumping on, and off them, and striking them with his fists. After he had recovered, he raised some money, and returned to China. While he was on the mountain, one of his few possessions was a photo of his grandfatherToda Sensei, to which he said he would talk to.

In the month of March when Takamatsu was 23 years old, he returned from China. On his return he visited the grave of one of his past girlfriends, called “Kogane”.

It was during the Chinese era, known as “Chin”, that Takamatsu travelled through northern China, and Mongolia, he was there for approximately 10 years. Here he met many people including Cho Shiro, a Shaolin Kung Fu fighter. Cho could lift a large bar bell over 100 times a day. Twice he issued a challenge to Takamatsu, Twice it was turned down. One night Takamatsu had a dream about fighting Cho. The next day the challenge was issued again, this time Takamatsu accepted. Cho was 37 years old, and was 1.9m tall. The contest was to be held in the English settlement in the city. They fought each other, and it is supposed to have lasted as long as two hours. Cho was by now fatigued, and starting to slow down. Takamatsu had waited all this time without attacking, with a shout “here I come* he started to advance to attack. Lord Ren-mei, a cousin of the Chinese Emperor, and a friend of Takamatsu, shouted “Stop”. He knew that Takamatsu would have won instantly, severely injuring Cho. Takamatsu was named the victor, he and Cho then became the closest of friends, and martial brothers. It was with the influence that Cho had that Takamatsu was later to become President of the Sino-Japanese Martial arts association. Cho Shiro was personal bodyguard to Cho Sajurin, a major political figure, who was murdered in a train explosion in China in 1928 (this can be seen in the movie “Last Emperor”).

Once Takamatsu got himself into trouble (he said he did not use his Hensojutsu properly). Cho Shiro came to his aid, and helped him escape.

ln the Bujin Newsletter, Hatsumi talks about an interview with writer Ryotaro Koyama Ryotaro met Takamatsu in 1963. They talk about a fight, which is almost exactly the same as the one just previously described. In this story Cho Shiro is known as Zhang Zi Liang, a master of Shaolin Kempo. They fought after three challenges. Takamatsu accepted the third the night after a dream about the fight. They fought, and Takamatsu, only jumped away from him. Mr Lian, an Uncle of the Chinese Emperor stopped the fight. Zhang, and Takamatsu became friends, with Zhang helping Takamatsu, after his Hensojutsu failed.

Takamatsu’s diary states that fought 12 fights to the death, and 7 competition matches. The death fights were results of challenges.

While in China he fought several battles. In one of these baftles, a mounted soldier was charging at him. Takamatsu was at this point not armed, but a sword lay on the ground before him. As the horseman started to draw a pistol, intending to shout Takamatsu, he ran forward, dive rolled, picked up the sword, and sprang into the air cutting off the mans head. He later told his students that it is of the greatest importance to be able to roll correctly, in as many different ways as possible.

Once while in the mountains in China, he was attacked by several bandits. He fought them, until they ran away. One of the bandits however grabbed Takamatsu around the waist. The bandit screamed, letting go of Takamatsu, he dropped to the ground holding his face. Takamatsu later said he did not know what it was that he had done to then man, but he felt something wet, and warm in his hand. When he opened his hand, he saw that he was holding the mans eye. He gave the bandit first aid, and charged him for his services.

In an area called Santo Sho, Takamatsu was attacked by a large dog. The animal placed it’s paws on top of Takamatsu’s shoulders, and growled at him. He stood still, because if he moved, or showed any sign of fear, or moved even an inch, the dog would attack. He waited a moment staring the dog in the eyes. As soon as it dropped it’d guard, he struck the dog with a single blow between the eye’s, killing it instantly. He said this was the way he also like to fight. Let the opponent attack first, then, when he drops his guard, commence your attack.

To survive in China, Takamatsu taught martial arts. He told Hatsumi that at one point, at an English school…

he had over 1000 students. Many senior martial artists came to fight him. In the past you had to accept challenges. This was the only way to keep up your credibility as a martial artist, and as a teacher. He fought every challenger, but never lost a single fight, although some were declared draws. He returned to Japan with what he claims in those days was a lot of money. This was 200,000 Yen.

Takamatsu returned to Japan in 1919. It was some time after this that he went to the Tendai temple on mount Hiei in Kyoto, and was ordained a priest. Later he was to become one of the Abbots of this temple. It is possible that he was ordained in a total of three different religions. Even though he said that he was not religious, he did however pray for the people that he had killed. He attained all of this by the grand age of 30.

Takamatsu in his later years, ran a small tea house, and hotel in Kashiwara, Nara. It was here that students his few students Ninjutsu.

Takamatsu Sensei’s wife was called Tane, she was born on 28th June Meiji 30 (1896). Her father was called Uno Takuchi. Before being married to Takamatsu she was known as Uno Tane. On the river side of Yodo-gawa, inthe area called Hirakata, she was born. Shewas oneof tenchildren, and herfamily owned a farm. After her fourth year at school, her parents could no longer afford to pay for her tuition, so she had to leave school. This was much to the dismay of the school, as she was a talented pupil. She first met Takamatsu when she was 20 years old. Takamatsu gave a large amount of money to her family. This caused a great conflict between him and his father, as he has not consulted his family first. They married in Taisho 7 (1919). For some reason it was not possible for them to have children, but they later adopted a girl called Yoshiko, and one of Tane’s brothers Chuichl. After Takamatsu’s death, she lived with her daughter, but in here later years a friend of Takamatsu, became concerned with her health, and helped he entera good home forthe elderly. In 1988 she as still at the home, but by nowwas confined to spending her days in a wheel chair.

Takamatsu had a friend, he was Abbot of Takamikurai shrine. His name was Heizo Ijuin, and his wife was a member of the Japanese royal family. He had known Takamatsu since he was a child.

One occasion, Takamatsu was visiting a friend who was a priest at Mount Hiei. As they talked they saw a lizard running along the length of a railing. Takamatsu, turned, and shouted with a loud Kiai in the direction of the lizard. The power of his Kiai was so great that the lizard was knock unconscious from the railing. It quickly recovered, and ran away.

Around the time that he was 65 years old, while he was out walking, he came across several youths taunting an old man, and his young daughter. They had been harassing the man for protection money, which was something that he could not afford. Takamatsu stepped forward, and told them to leave them alone. The gang of youths were not afraid of Takamatsu. until he called their leader Bozo (head shaved boy). Calling their leader Bozo, was an insult that few would dare say. Takamatsu said again that they should leave these people alone. Takamatsu told them to go to their leader, and tell him that “Moko no Tora”, had said they were to go away. Bozo, sent one of the youths to their gang leader. He had inherited the gang of over 15,000 members from his father. He immediately rushed to the scene to see Takamatsu. He is supposed to have said that he thought that Moko no Tora (the Mongolian Tiger) was dead. At once he agreed to leave the family alone, out of fear of Takamatsu. The leader then sent bundles of flowers to the family to apologies.

In the 1950’s, Takamatsu took a new student, called Hatsumi Yoshiaki, a young man in his 20’s. Hatsumi had been studying Kobudo with a teacher called Ueno. Ueno told him there was nothing else he could teach him, and his was to go to Nara, where he would find a teach of the martial arts. Hatsumi already held Dan grades in the more common art, such as Karate, Aikido, and a 4th Dan in Judo. He had been teaching Judo at a US army base in Zama.

It took Hatsumi 15 hours to travel from Noda-shi, were he lived, to the home of Takamatsu in Nara. He did this almost every weekend for 15 years. Hatsumi said, when he first met Takamatsu he was frightened of him, and the was a powerful, and I rightening teacher. The firstfew words that Takamatsu said to Hatsumi was “Welcome” and “Relax”.

Takamatsu frequently called Hatsumi “Mushikera” (Insect).

When training with Takamatsu, their was never a warm up. Even when they would use real swords, the same attitude was taken. In a real fight you may never have time to warm up, it will be sudden, and the body may be cold.

Takamatsu’s oldest, and most senior student was Akimoto Fumio. Takamatsu always gave praise to Akimoto’s sword skills. Once at Tone river. Hatsumi saw a Skylark fly up from the ground. In a flash, Akimoto had drawn his sword, and the bird was cut into two pieces.

Although older, and better skilled that Hatsumi, Akirnoto was bypassed by Hatsumi, when Takamatsu decided it was time to passed the schools onto the next generation. However Takamatsu had already passed the Gikan Ryu to Akimoto some years before. Unfortunately Akimoto died around 1962, of an illness. As a result, Takamatsu decided that the Gikan Ryu should therefore be passed to Hatsumi.

Akimoto, could hide his Sakki intention so well that it is said that he could creep up behind a bird, and take hold of it, before the creature knew he was behind it…

There is in Noda, a man that has become known as the “Rice man” by the foreign students of the Bujinkan. He was along with Hatsumi, a fellow student under Takamatsu, and at one time, training partners. When Takamatsu died he quit train out respect for Hatsumi. This was done so that all Ninjutsu students would direct to Hatsumi, and not to him, who was at the time a little higher skilled in the nine schools. Through out Japanese history this was common, mainly to give the new master total control.

Takamatsu named his Dojo “Sakushin”.

A friend of Takamatsu, (when he was young fighting in China) knowing his name in China was Moko No Tora (Mongolian Tiger), said that he was more like a Yarnato housecat (Yamato is the region is Japan where Nara is located). Takamatsu replied that he had the ability to change from Cat - Tiger, and Tiger - Cat. That was why he had lived to such an old age. He also commented that women enjoyed cuddling Cats, and if he was a Tiger they would not come near him.

Takamatsu never visited Hatsumi’s home. He did however on one occasion send Hatsumi a floor plan of his house in Noda. This was created through the many conversations between Hatsumi, and Takamatsu, who had obtained the information from Hatsumi, without him even knowing it.

In the late 1960’s. Takamatsu wrote several articles in newspapers (Possibly the Japan Times). All of these articles spoke of Ninjutsu, and the other martial arts. In one of his articles Takamatsu wrote that in true martial arts, when fighting, you must most of all be prepared to kill your attacker, or kill the person you are attacking. In response to this, a very high ranking Japanese Karate teacher went on Japanese Television, and said that Takamatsu had written was wrong, that those days were long gone, and did no longer exist, nor did they neither need to exist anymore, in this present age. He also stated that Takamatsu was an “Old has been”, and was over 80 years old, and long past it. Takamatsu arranged a Television interview. He stated in this interview, that he was far from past it, and saw the Karate teachers comments as a challenge, which he wished to accept. He gave the Karate teacher three days to publicly retract his statement. If not, Takamatsu intended to fight him, and kill him, with his hands tied behind his back. Three days later the statement made by the Karate teacher was retracted.

Takamatsu commented on Judo. He said the first time say it, he was horrified. This was only because they bent their backs when executing techniques.

In another of his articles he talked about people who controlled their breath during martial arts training. He said it was both a good, and a bad method of training. He once met a Chinese fighter, who could channel air to all parts of his body. When facing Takamatsu, he beat an iron bar across his chest, to demonstrate his strength, and show Takamatsu how strong was. Takamatsu promptly walked up to him, and kicked him in the groin dropping him to the ground.

Takamatsu was once in a shop, when several Yakuza came in and demanded protection money from the frightened owner. Takamatsu grabbed one, and locked him in the shop. The others he sent back to their boss, telling them to tell him that “Jutaro” (a name he used in his youth), was in town. The boss sent a message back saying the shop would be left alone. It is not known if the Yakuza boss, was a friend of Takamatsu, or if he was, as a child beaten in a fight by Takamatsu.

Takamatsu used to say that he was a patient man. He daughter on one Occasion after Takamatsu had passed away, said that, when Hatsumi was due at the house, Takamatsu would pace up and down.

WheneverHatsumi arrived atthe house of Takamatsu, hewas always met byAkimoto Sensei. They would then goto a room in the second floorof the house, which was used for their training. Firstthey would always sit down to talk, and Takamatsu would light a cigarette. Akimoto would talk non-stop to Hatsumi, not even allowing Takamatsu to talk. Takamatsu would then drop hot ash from the cigarette on Akimoto’s hand, stopping him talking. Hatsumi, and Takamatsu would start to laugh then they would talk, until Akimoto recovered, then he would start his non-stop talking, and the whole scene repeated.

One day Takamatsu took Hatsumi to the Kashiwabara shrine, where they would sometimes train together. With them Takamatsu took with him a Katana. Takamatsu said he was going to cut at Hatsumi, and he was to catch the blade with his bare hands. Takamatsu stood before Takamatsu in Daijodan, and then cut at Hatsumi. Hatsumi moved, and caught the blade. The sword was old, and still had a razor sharp edge. It was a cold night, and Hatsumi remembers the Katana making a hissing sound as R cut through the air. Hatsumi would sometimes take a Yari to training sessions. Takamatsu would use a short bladed spear, and order Hatsumi to catch this blade also.

Takamatsu were sat in the room in Takamatsu’s home. Takamatsu told Hatsumi to close his eyes while he left the room, and he was also to keep them shut. Hatsumi heard Takamatsu Sensei, leave the room, and go down the stairs. He did not however hear his teacher re-enterthe room, as he had used the Ninia’s methods of silent moving, and entering. Takamatsu attacked Hatsumi from behind with a Katana, doing the Jumonji Kiri (one vertical, one horizontal cut). Hatsumi says of this event, that as he knelt in the room, he felt something wrong and moved to the side, then for no reason, he flipped forward in a somersault. Takamatsu told the surprised Hatsurni that he had the “Feeling”, and gave him the sword that he had just used. After this Takamatsu gave Hatsumi the Menkyo Kaiden, and he became a licensee in the nine schools.

The feeling that Hatsumi had developed is known as “Sakki”.

Takamatsu said to his students “I decided to leave everything in the hands of Hatsumi. I think he is the most suitable person in martial arts. I am now able to repay Toda, Sensei, Ishitani Sensei, and Mizuta Sensei for their kindness. I intend to continue my studies into the secrets of nature”.

Hatsumi was now Soke, and the Bujinkan was formed.

Once when training with Takamatsu, Hatsumi saw him stumble, and fall onto one knee. It was then that Hatsumi has said, that he thought that maybe Takamatsu’s life was coming to an end.

Takamatsu once sent Hatsumi a poem. It reads like this….

Long ago I was an accomplished warrior of the Koppojutsu tradition.

I was courageous ‘, and as intense as a flame.

Even in battle against dangerous animals.

I have a heart that is like the wild flowers of the meadow.

And yet as straight, and true as the bamboo.

Not even ten thousand enemies can cause me fear.

Who is there in the world who can keep alive this will of the warriors heart ?

There you are.

This one sent to me by the warrior gods (Bujin).

I have been here waiting for you through the ages.

One year before his death, Takamatsu told Hatsumi that he had taught him everything that he knew.

Hatsumi once took several students to meet, and train with Takamatsu. Hatsumi conducted the training until Takamatsu came into the Dojo. Just before he arrived, Hatsumi told his students to kneel in seiza, facing the Dojo Kamiza (Dojo shrine). The dojo was behind them, and as Takamatsu Sensei entered the room. Ishizuka Tetsuja, one of Hatsumi’s student (now a 10th Dan Shihan in the Bujinkan Dojo in Japan), said that a cold chill came over his body, and he felt frightened.

Takamatsu Sensei died on 2nd April 1972, aged 85, he had stopped training at 80, but still continued to oversee Hatsumi’s personal training.

He was buried in the Kumedra cemetery in Nara.

Takamatsu had been a member of the Shobu Bureau, a former president of Nippon Minkoku Seinen Botoku -kai (Association of martial arts for Japanese youths), he was a national recognised as a master of Jujutsu, and Bojutsu.

Of the nine schools, he was known in Japan only for the Kukishinden Ryu. It is Said that when he died, his neighbors were shocked to read in his obituary, that he was in fact, also a Grandmaster of the last, and a most ancient schools of Ninjutsu, the Togakure Ryu. - http://www.bujinkan.co.nz/page17/page20/index.html