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Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma is traditionally held in Shaolin mythology to be the founder of the Chan school of Buddhism (known in Japan and the West as Zen), and the Shaolin school of Chinese martial arts.

Bodhidharma 440–528 AD

Miyamoto Musashi

Much of Miyamoto Musashi's early life is shrouded in mystery. His place and date of birth are uncertain, and three different places lay claim to his birthplace. Apparently he was born into a samurai family in the village of Miyamoto in the province of Mimasaka. His full name was Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Genshin, which means, "Member of Shinmen family, the family name Musashi, clan Fujiwara, adulthood name Genshin". His childhood name is either Takezō or Benosuke. The name Musashi is taken from Musashibō Benkei, the warrior monk who served Minamoto no Yoshitsune and known as the great warrior who used nine weapons.

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645)

Shiro Saigo

One of the Four Heavenly Lords (Shitenno) of Kodokan Judo, the fundamental pillars in the creation of Judo, Shiro Saigo was one of the first students of Jigoro Kano. In 1883 Jigoro Kano divided his students into two groups creating yudansha, or graded students, and mudansha, or ungraded students. Shiro Saigo, along with Tsunehiro Tomita, were the first to be awarded the yudansha grade, a grade which a few years later became recognized by the black belt. Saigo and Tomita were the first black belts recorded in the history of Judo (and all martial arts since Jigoro Kano created this system of ranks).

Shihan Shiro Saigo, 1866-1922

Shiro Saigo is best known for his participation in the 1886 Tokyo Metropolitan Police Judo vs jujutsu tournament held to determine which martial art was superior in a true fight. It was sanctioned by Mr. Mishima, Chief of Police of Tokyo. Jigoro Kano put 15 of his best students, including Shiro Saigo, against Totsuka-ha Yoshin-ryu jujutsu masters. The Totsuka team included four or five jujutsu masters from other schools, but all eyes were on the ten or so matches between Totsuka and Kodokan.

Jigoro Kano wrote the following regarding his opponents:

"Totsuka Hikosuke was considered the strongest jujutsuka of the Bakumatsu Period (end of the shogunate). After Hikosuke, (his son) Eimi carried the name of the school, and he trained many outstanding jujutsuka. . . In truth, Totsuka's side had powerful fighters and were no blowhards. . . When you mentioned the name Totsuka, you meant the greatest jujutsu masters of that era. My own Tenshin Shinyo-ryu and Kito-ryu (jujutsu) teachers were sorely pressed when they went up against Totsuka jujutsu masters at the shogunate's Komusho dojo. . ."

Original disciples: Dr. Kano middle row second from left, Shihan Saigo to hs right

Sokaku Takeda

Sokaku Takeda 1859-1943

Takeda Sokaku was born the second son of Takeda Sokichi on October 10, 1859 in the Takeda mansion in Oike in Aizu, present-day Fukushima prefecture. As a boy, Sokaku learned kenjutsu, bojutsu, sumo, and Daito-ryu from his father, and studied Ono-ha Itto-ryu at the Yokikan dojo under Shibuya Toba.

In 1873, Sokaku traveled with his father to the dojo of his father's friend, swordsman Sakakibara Kenkichi. There he stayed on as a live-in student and immersed himself in studying the Jikishinkage-ryu. At the Sakakibara dojo Sokaku had opportunities to meet and train with many of the top swordsmen of the day, many of whom had formerly been members of the Tokugawa shogunate's Kobusho, the exclusive martial arts school for government retainers. He studied diligently, and eventually mastered many different skills and weapons including sword (ken), staff (bo), half-bow (hankyu), short-staff (jo), and throwing darts (shuriken). Later he also received a license (inka) in the spear arts of the Hozoin-ryu.

Sokaku traveled around visiting dojos throughout Japan, testing and polishing his martial skills wherever he went. He also deepened his spiritual connections through constant visits for prayer, devotions, and ascetic training to sacred places such as Udomyojin in Kyushu, Mt. Futara in Nikko, and Mt. Haguro in Dewa Province (now Akita and Yamagata prefectures). His sword skills were unparalleled and he was feared as "the Little Tengu of Aizu" (a tengu is a type of long-nosed demon; they are renowned for their martial arts skills).

In about 1875, rumor reached Sokaku that Saigo Takamori had launched his rebellion in Satsuma against the forces of the new Meiji government. He decided immediately that he would go to lend his support. He made it as far as Kyushu but was unable to reach his destination, so he returned to Osaka where he spent the next ten years as a guest in the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu dojo of swordsman Momonoi Shunzo.

Kyuzo Mifune

Shihan Mifune at 5th Dan

Mifune was born a year after the Kodokan was founded, April 21, 1883 in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture on Honshu Island. He was apparently incorrigible as a boy, always either performing some mischief himself or organizing others in the same pursuit. He was both bright and cocky. At age 13, his father, a strict disciplinarian who finally gave up on the youngest of his seven children, sent Mifune to a junior high school at Sendai, in northern Japan. There, he discovered Judo, and decided to dedicate himself to it. At age 14, he defeated nine opponents in a row at one tournament with another high school.

After graduation, he was sent to Tokyo, to a preparatory school anticipating entry into Waseda University. He immediately attempted to join the Kodokan. In those days, this required a personal interview with Jigoro Kano, upon the recommendation of ranking Judoka, and then signing a blood oath. Mifune didn't know anyone at the Kodokan, but picked out Sakujiro Yokoyama, who then had a fearsome reputation, as "Demon Yokoyama," whose fast, powerful Judo had gained much reputation for the Kodokan. Mifune literally camped at Yokoyama's doorstep until Yokoyama consented to recommend him to Kano. In July, 1903, Mifune joined the Kodokan. His father, finding out he was spending more time at Judo than studying, cut off his allowance, and Mifune, now 22, went out to find work. He began a newspaper, sold advertising, and built it into a thriving enterprise. He was able to sell it at a substantial profit, and entered the economics program at Keio University.

Hironori Ohtsuka

Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei

Hironori Ohtsuka was born on 1st June 1892 in Shimodate City, Ibaragi, Japan. He was the first son, and the second of four children, of Dr. Tokujuro Ohtsuka, a Doctor of Medicine. Ohtsuka Sensei was first introduced to martial arts by his great uncle, Chojiro Ebashi, a samurai warrior, who began teaching him Jujitsu. This marked the starting point of his life-long fascination with the martial arts.

On the 1st April, 1897, Ohtsuka Sensei started school where he studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, under the supervision of his father. Later, when he was 13, he studied the style under Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei, the third Grand Master of this style of Jujitsu. Unlike the other schools of jujitsu at the time, Yoshin Ryu specialised in kicking and punching techniques in addition to throwing, twisting and locking techniques. Ohtsuka Sensei continued to study the style whilst at Waseda University from 1910 to 1917. He also studied different styles of Jujitsu, concentrating on their positive aspects. In doing so, Ohtsuka Sensei learned a great deal about the body's vital points for both attacking and healing purposes.

Chotoku Kyan

The martial arts practiced within The International Budo Institute is a system based on the elements of Okinawa-te of Master Anko Azato and the Sukunaihayashi (Shorinjiryu) lineage of Master Chotoku Kyan as well as Aikjutsu, Jujutsu, Judo, Baji Qu’an and various Okinawan, Chinese and Japanese weapons arts.

Chotoku Kyan was born into a high-ranking family in Shuri in 1870. His father Chofu was a steward to the King of the Ryukyus or Okinawan islands.

1879-1945

Matsumora Kosaku

1829-1898

Matsumora Chikudon Peichin Kosaku was a prominent bushi from the west side of Tomari village. His family were indirect descendents of the first Sho king. As a boy, he studied Chinese classics and Confucianism at the Tomari School for young men from families of position. Matsumora was short in height, but his wide shoulders and massive chest revealed a muscular body. Matsumora studied Karatedo from Uku Giko for 3 years, emphasis was on developing a strong foundation while learning to use his legs for mobility and hips to generate power. Master Uku taught Matsumora three Kata known in Tomari as Naihanchi.

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