Master Azato was a very close friend of Master Anko Itosu. In fact, both Azato and Itosu were both regarded as brother Bushi and respected as such. Together, Azato and Itosu had diligently studied the martial arts under the strict tutelage of Masumura Soken. During these times, Azato Sensei was also studying at the National school particularly, in the study of the Chinese classics. Azato was an honor student.

Excelling in various martial arts, Master Azato was particularly fond of horsemanship, which he studied under Megata Sensei, the trainer who groomed the Meiji Emperor himself. Master Azato also loved archery and diligently studied under Master Sekiguchi, and like his teacher (Matsumura Sokon) before him, so did Azato study Jigenryu swordsmanship directly under the noted Japanese instructor Ishuin Yashichiro. However, among all the combative disciplines, it was the swordsmanship of Jigenryu that Sensei Azato most favored.

Sensei Azato was known to say, "The purpose of martial arts is not just to build a strong and healthy body, but also to educate one's mind and forge the spirit. Martial arts seek to build the body, improve one's character and find inner-harmony. It cannot guarantee it."

Famous students of Anko Azato are Gichin Funakoshi and Masayoshi Hisataka. Azato is said to have passed on a special form of Nijushiho Kata to Shinan Masayoshi Hisataka. This form is said to have been modified by Azato based on his barehanded defeat of the swordsman Yorin Kanna and is the form of Nijushiho practiced within The International Budo Institute.