Martial Artist: 55 people
Keiko Tsuji (辻 恵子, Tsuji Keiko; born October 9, 1993), is a Japanese teacher, model and beauty pageant titleholder who…
Keiko Tsuji (辻 恵子, Tsuji Keiko; born October 9, 1993), is a Japanese teacher, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2014 and represented Japan in Miss Universe 2014.
Rikako Yuasa (湯浅麗歌子, Rikako Yuasa); born 12 April 1991) is a submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black…
Rikako Yuasa (湯浅麗歌子, Rikako Yuasa); born 12 April 1991) is a submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt competitor. Regarded by some as one of the greatest Japanese BJJ fighters, Yuasa is a World, European and Asian champion in coloured belt and a four times black belt World champion.
Shin Koyamada (小山田 真, Koyamada Shin) is a Japanese actor, producer, philanthropist, and martial artist. He is best…
Shin Koyamada (小山田 真, Koyamada Shin) is a Japanese actor, producer, philanthropist, and martial artist. He is best known to the international audience for his co-starring roles in The Last Samurai (2003) as Nobutada and the Disney's Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006) as Shen. As producer, Koyamada develops and produces numerous content through his production company Shinobi Pictures and multimedia company Laizen Studios. In philanthropy, Koyamada serves as Board Chairs of the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), Guardian Girls International (GGI), StarAngel International, and the Japan United States Sister City Association (JUSSCA). Koyamada holds black belts in Karate and Tae Kwon Do and won gold medals in Shaolin Kung Fu at the U.S. National Championships.
Junichi Okada (岡田 准一, Okada Jun'ichi; born November 18, 1980) is an actor, fight choreographer and a former member of…
Junichi Okada (岡田 准一, Okada Jun'ichi; born November 18, 1980) is an actor, fight choreographer and a former member of Japanese boy band V6.
Koji Komuro (Japanese: 小室 宏二, Komuro Kōji; born 29 July 1977) is a Japanese judoka and amateur mixed martial arts…
Koji Komuro (Japanese: 小室 宏二, Komuro Kōji; born 29 July 1977) is a Japanese judoka and amateur mixed martial arts fighter. Taught by kosen judo master Kanae Hirata, Komuro is a ne waza (ground techniques) expert known for its use of sutemi (sacrifice throws) such as variations of tomoe nage, and submission techniques like jujigatame (armlock) and sode guruma jime (circular choke with the sleeves). He is the author of a book dedicated to ground techniques, Judo Newaza of Koji Komuro Komlock!.
Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and…
Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has…
Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a British Academy Television Award, a Japan Academy Film Prize, two Hochi Film Awards, a Mainichi Film Award, three Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Actor, four Kinema Junpo Awards, and honors from the Yokohama Film Festival. In 2018, he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government for his "artistic developments, improvements, and accomplishments", and in 2025, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Sanada began his career in the mid-1960s at the age of five, and was the protégé of actor Sonny Chiba. A black belt in Kyokushin karate, he initially gained prominence for his roles in Japanese and Hong Kong action films, later establishing himself as a dramatic actor. He is best known to international audiences for his roles as Ryuji Takayama in Ring (1998) where he played alongside Nanako Matsushima, who was also his co-star in a 1997 television drama A Story of Love. His role as the Fool in a production of the Shakespeare play King Lear (1999–2000) gave him theatrical attention, and led to his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Beginning in the 2000s, Sanada grew his Hollywood presence with such roles as Seibei Iguchi in The Twilight Samurai (2002), Ujio in The Last Samurai (2003), and Kenji in Rush Hour 3 (2007). Sanada's appearances in Hollywood films include Sunshine (2007), Speed Racer (2008), The Wolverine, 47 Ronin (both 2013), Minions (2015), Life (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Army of the Dead (2021), as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion in Mortal Kombat (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He also had roles on Lost (2010) and the HBO series Westworld (2018–2020). Sanada gained awards for his role in the FX historical drama series Shōgun (2024) as Yoshii Toranaga, a fictionalized version of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and…
Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and author, who is the director at Shiseikan, Meiji Shrine. He was a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force colonel and has organized the Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群, Tokushusakusengun) as the first leader.
Yasuhisa Shioda (Japanese: 塩田泰久 born 15 November 1952) is the third Sōke of Yoshinkan aikido, succeeding his brother…
Yasuhisa Shioda (Japanese: 塩田泰久 born 15 November 1952) is the third Sōke of Yoshinkan aikido, succeeding his brother, Tetsutaro Shioda, in keeping with the iemoto tradition in Japanese martial arts. Their father, Gozo Shioda, founded Yoshinkan aikido. He was Kancho of the headquarters dojo in Shinjuku, Tokyo and headed both the All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Federation and the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation until he left the organization in 2012. In 2014 he founded the SIAF together with his son Masahiro Shioda. He graduated from the economics faculty of Chuo University and lived in England for 3 years. He actively teaches aikido in Japan, through published books and travels throughout the world.
Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of…
Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Dōshu.
Kūdō (空道) (formerly known as Daido Juku) is a Japanese hybrid martial art. It is a full-contact combat sport that aims…
Kūdō (空道) (formerly known as Daido Juku) is a Japanese hybrid martial art. It is a full-contact combat sport that aims to achieve safety, aggression and practicality, a style of mixed martial arts practised with headgear and gloves. It features stand-up striking, with throwing and grappling techniques being also allowed in the competition, including restraint, locks and chokeholds. Kūdō is a form of budō (modern martial arts) that originated in the Daido Juku school, an organization founded by Azuma Takashi in 1981. The relationship between the Daido Juku school and kudo is similar to that between the kodokan school and judo. Kūdō is found in more than 100 locations in Japan and is practised in more than 50 countries around the world. Although it is a martial art created by the Japanese, Russia currently has the largest number of Kūdō athletes, eclipsing the number of Japanese practitioners.
Fumiaki Shishida (born 1949) is a Japanese aikido teacher, and one of traditionally two Shihan of the Japan Aikido…
Fumiaki Shishida (born 1949) is a Japanese aikido teacher, and one of traditionally two Shihan of the Japan Aikido Association, where he holds the rank of 8th dan. He is a Professor of Intellectual History of the Japanese Martial Arts at Waseda University and author of several works on the subject. He obtained his doctoral degree from Waseda University in 2003. He won the Japan Society of Sport History prize in 2006 for his book The Educational Strength of Japanese Budo: The Budo Training at Kenkoku University in Manchukuo (in Japanese). He is also the primary author of Aikido Kyougi (second author Tetsuro Nariyama); the English translation is titled Aikido Tradition and the Competitive Edge. He has also compiled and edited a series of essays by Kenji Tomiki under the title "Budo Ron".
Toshihiro Oshiro (大城 利弘, Oshiro Toshihiro; born May 1, 1949) is a martial arts master and instructor from Haneji, Nago…
Toshihiro Oshiro (大城 利弘, Oshiro Toshihiro; born May 1, 1949) is a martial arts master and instructor from Haneji, Nago city, Okinawa prefecture, Japan.
Hatsuo Royama (盧山 初雄, Royama Hatsuo; March 31, 1948 – August 3, 2026) also known by his Korean name of Noh Cho Woong…
Hatsuo Royama (盧山 初雄, Royama Hatsuo; March 31, 1948 – August 3, 2026) also known by his Korean name of Noh Cho Woong (Korean: 노초웅; Hanja: 盧初雄) was a master of Kyokushin Karate, was Kancho (Director) and then Kaicho (Honorary Director) of the Kyokushin-kan International Organization Honbu, one faction of the International Karate Organization (IKO) founded by Mas Oyama (1923–1994) until April 2022.
Kiyoshi Yoshimoti (吉用 清, Yoshimochi Kiyoshi; 1948 in Usa, Ōita, Japan – 4 January 2020 in Usa, Ōita, Japan) was a…
Kiyoshi Yoshimoti (吉用 清, Yoshimochi Kiyoshi; 1948 in Usa, Ōita, Japan – 4 January 2020 in Usa, Ōita, Japan) was a Japanese swordsman. His father, Gosho Motoharu, is one of the more important master of koryū budō of the region, being menkyo kaiden and shihan of two important schools, the Niten Ichi-ryū and the Sekiguchi-ryū. Since his youth, Yoshimoti Kiyoshi practiced budō under his father's care, reaching menkyo kaiden in both Niten Ichi-ryū and Sekiguchi-ryū. In 2007, attending to a request of the Ōita Kendo Association, the Kiyonaga family, the family of the late 9th sōke of the Niten Ichi-ryū (Kiyonaga Tadanao) and of the 11th successor (Kiyonaga Fumiya), chose Kiyoshi Yoshimoti to reestablish the main line of this school in Ōita. He became the 12th successor of Miyamoto Musashi, reintegrating his family line, the Gosho-ha Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū and the Seito line.
Tetsuro Nariyama (成山 哲郎 born November 21, 1947) was born in Yamadera, Yamagata Prefecture and is a Japanese aikido…
Tetsuro Nariyama (成山 哲郎 born November 21, 1947) was born in Yamadera, Yamagata Prefecture and is a Japanese aikido teacher, the technical director of the Shodokan Aikido Federation and chief instructor (Shihan) of the Shodokan Hombu Dojo in Osaka, Japan. He was appointed to the latter position by the creator of this style Kenji Tomiki, one of Morihei Ueshiba's early students. At 9th Dan he is the highest-ranking Shodokan instructor in the world and travels internationally to teach aikido. In addition to his studies with Kenji Tomiki he lived as uchideshi to Hirokazu Kobayashi for six years effectively learning aikido from the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba's first and last generation deshi. During that time he introduced Tomiki's randori method to university aikido clubs under Kobayashi's control. He has co-authored the book Aikido Tradition and the Competitive Edge with Fumiaki Shishida.
Kenji Tokitsu (時津 賢児, Tokitsu Kenji; born 1 August 1947) is a Japanese author and practitioner of Japanese martial…
Kenji Tokitsu (時津 賢児, Tokitsu Kenji; born 1 August 1947) is a Japanese author and practitioner of Japanese martial arts. Tokitsu has also written a scholarly work about the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto. He holds doctorates in sociology and in Japanese language and civilization.
Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin…
Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin Kaikan (極真会館) and professional lightweight kickboxer. He was the founder of Gyakushin-Kai (逆真会館) and a Director of Karate in Japan. He presided over the International Budo Karate Organization Gyakushin-Kai from the headquarters of the organization (honbu) in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama, Japan. His title as head of the Gyakushin-Kai organization was "Kancho" (Grandmaster - 7th Dan). Yamazaki was the first champion of the All-Japan Full Contact Karate Open Championships in 1969, and made Kyokushin famous through his accomplishments. Because he fought and defeated Muay Thai boxers, he created a reputation for Kyokushin before the First All-Japan Open Full Contact Karate Championships was held. Yamazaki was highly skilled at and an authority on fighting and breaking. When he fought someone, it was usual that he knocked them out without receiving any injuries himself. He was nicknamed "The Genius Karate Fighter" or "The Dragon of Kyokushin", and when he was an active fighter, he was the most popular figure of the time. He showed off his mixed karate and Muai Thai style of fighting at both full contact karate open championships and kickboxing, and was noted internationally as a prominent fighter in karate's history, appearing in Black Belt Magazine in the United States.
Kunihiro Fujioka (藤岡 邦弘, Fujioka Kunihiro; born February 19, 1946 in Kuma, Ehime (now Kumakōgen, Ehime)), better known…
Kunihiro Fujioka (藤岡 邦弘, Fujioka Kunihiro; born February 19, 1946 in Kuma, Ehime (now Kumakōgen, Ehime)), better known by his stage name Hiroshi Fujioka, (藤岡 弘、, Fujioka Hiroshi,), is a Japanese actor.
Morito Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼守人; born 27 July 1942) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan in the…
Morito Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼守人; born 27 July 1942) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan in the Aikikai . Born in Fukushima, Japan, his first contact with aikido was in 1963 at the Asia University in Tokyo where he followed a class taught by Nobuyoshi Tamura. The next year, Tamura introduced him to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo where he started training assiduously under Morihei Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Ueshiba and other prominent Hombu instructors. He officially became an uchideshi in 1967 after graduating from university. On 19 April 1970, shortly after the death of Morihei Ueshiba, Suganuma was sent to Fukuoka by Kisshomaru Ueshiba as the Aikikai's representative for the Kyūshū district. He is the founder and dojocho of Aikido Shoheijuku Dojo, which today encompasses about 70 dojo and 4000 students. Although primarily based in Fukuoka, he is regularly invited to give aikido seminars around the world. Seminar locations have included Vancouver, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, and Beijing. He received his 8th dan Aikikai in 2001. He is also a well-known shodo master and regularly practices zen meditation and yoga.
Seishiro Endo (遠藤征四郎, Endō Seishirō), born 1942, is an 8th dan ranked Aikikai aikido master teacher. Endō is among the…
Seishiro Endo (遠藤征四郎, Endō Seishirō), born 1942, is an 8th dan ranked Aikikai aikido master teacher. Endō is among the few living people who studied directly under aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. He trained at Aikikai Hombu Dojo with master teachers including Seigo Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Tada, Mitsunari Kanai, and Yasuo Kobayashi. When Endo was 30 years old he dislocated his right shoulder. According to an interview, that event brought him to a turning point. After the injury, Yamaguchi said to him, "You’ve been doing aikido for 10 years now, but now you have only your left arm to use, what are you going to do?" This prompted Endo to pursue a different direction in his Aikido. His Aikido eventually became a lot softer and more contact-based.
Toshikazu Ichimura (born December 12, 1941) is a Japanese aikido teacher who lived in Sweden from 1966 to 1986, and was…
Toshikazu Ichimura (born December 12, 1941) is a Japanese aikido teacher who lived in Sweden from 1966 to 1986, and was the teacher responsible for aikido in Sweden during this time. He also was the responsible teacher in Denmark and in Finland, had importance for the development of iaido in these three countries, and was the first to give aikido demonstrations in Finland. Ichimura holds 6th dan in the aikido organisation Aikikai, a rank he received in 1977, and 6th dan renshi in iaido since 1969. Besides, and in connection to, his teaching in Japanese martial arts he also taught macrobiotics and the Japanese system of sound mysticism, kototama.
Koshiro Tanaka (田中光四郎; born 1940) is a Japanese martial artist and veteran of the Soviet–Afghan war. Tanaka left an…
Koshiro Tanaka (田中光四郎; born 1940) is a Japanese martial artist and veteran of the Soviet–Afghan war. Tanaka left an office-job to confront his possible fear of death. He travelled to Peshawar then to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and after joining Jamiat-e Islami, took up arms against the Soviet and Afghan government armies.
Kenji Shimizu (清水 健二, Shimizu Kenji), b. 1940, is an aikido teacher and founder of the aikido style Tendo-ryu Aikido…
Kenji Shimizu (清水 健二, Shimizu Kenji), b. 1940, is an aikido teacher and founder of the aikido style Tendo-ryu Aikido (天道流). Shimizu was born in 1940 in Fukuoka, Japan. He had been training judo since childhood and held a 4th dan in this art when he changed to aikido in 1963. He then became one of the last personal students of the aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. After Ueshiba died in 1969, Shimizu, then with a 7th dan in aikido, founded his own school in Tōkyō named Tendoryu (School of the Way of Heaven). Tendoryu Aikido is characterized by its large and clear movements, emphasizing naturalness and harmonic flow of motion. Since 1978, Shimizu has regularly held seminars in Germany and other European countries. A German Tendoryu Society was founded in 1993. He received the 8th dan aikido from the Japanese Budo Federation in 1998 and has co-authored a book titled Zen and Aikido (ISBN 4-900586-13-7) with Shigeo Kamata. Shimizu received the 'Foreign Minister Award', an award from the Foreign Minister of Japan, on 16 July 2002, for his work spreading aikido abroad. Shimizu-sensei was the first Aikido and Budo artist to receive this award. In the same year he was invited to the autumn garden party at the imperial palace in Akasaka, Tōkyō.
Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many…
Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many Western countries. He held the rank of an 8th dan Aikikai.
Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido…
Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido teacher. He was ranked eighth dan in the Aikikai. He was chief instructor at the New York Aikikai, and president of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF).
Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and…
Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator, martial artist born 15 March 1933 in Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Saga Prefectural Saga High School (now Saga Prefectural Saga West High School). Hari is the fifth son of the chief priest at Kōdenji, a family temple in the former Saga Domain. He worked at a cotton spinning company and as a bank employee before moving to Tokyo in 1953 to work as a writer for a financial journal. Hari made his professional manga debut in 1956. He holds a level of 8th dan in aikido, and he studied an offshoot of Shintō Musō-ryū staff fighting called "Tai no Jō" (体の杖). He currently operates in Saga City a dojo devoted to the study of aikido and jōjutsu (staff fighting). Hari creates the politician caricatures for the Sankei Shimbun, as well as a weekly one panel manga for the Weekly Manga Times. He won the 1973 Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence for his work Hari Sunao Nigaoe Mangashū: Sokkuri (針すなお似顔絵漫画集・そっくり). He also won the Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1998 for his political caricatures.
Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏, Tada Hiroshi) (born December 14, 1929) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 9th dan in…
Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏, Tada Hiroshi) (born December 14, 1929) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 9th dan in the Aikikai. Born in Tokyo within a former Samurai family with roots from Tsushima Island, Tada first studied his family's style of archery (Heki-Ryū Chikurin-ha Ban-pa) under his father in the family's house in Jiyūgaoka. He then became a member of the Waseda University karate club before starting training in aikido at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo under aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba in March 1950. He was dispatched to Rome, Italy, in 1964 where he established the Italian Dojo Centrale in 1967, and the national association Aikikai d'Italia in 1970. He returned to Japan in 1971 to resume teaching at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. To supplement aikido training, he has developed a system of breathing and meditative exercises called ki no renma (気の錬磨, cultivation of ki) based largely on the teachings of Nakamura Tempu and the Ichikukai Dojo.
Risuke Ōtake (大竹利典, Otake Risuke) (10 March 1926 – 7 June 2021) full name Ōtake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki (大竹利典源健之…
Risuke Ōtake (大竹利典, Otake Risuke) (10 March 1926 – 7 June 2021) full name Ōtake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki (大竹利典源健之, Ōtake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki), was a Japanese martial artist. He was a long time shihan (Teaching Master) of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū bujutsu, which he learned as a disciple of the previous teaching master Hayashi Yazaemon (1892-1964) from the time he entered the school in 1942 at the age of 16. In 1967, when Otake-sensei was 42 years old, he received gokui kaiden, the highest level of attainment in the tradition, and at the same time became the school's teaching master. He lived and taught in rural location near Narita city, in Chiba Prefecture of Japan. The teachings of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū were designated an Intangible Cultural Asset of Chiba Prefecture in 1960, with Ōtake designated as guardian of the tradition. He authored Strategy and the Art of Peace, as well as an earlier three-volume set of books on the tradition entitled The Deity and the Sword: Katori Shinto-ryu. He was a member of the Chiba Prefecture Board of Registrars and Appraisers for Muskets and Swords; a position he held since 1979. Ōtake shihan died on 7 June 2021.
Hiroyuki Hamada (October 29, 1925 – September 16, 2003) was a Japanese martial artist, master of Felton Messina and the…
Hiroyuki Hamada (October 29, 1925 – September 16, 2003) was a Japanese martial artist, master of Felton Messina and the founder of Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Karatedo.
Manzo Iwata (9 February 1924 – 4 June 1993) was a Japanese martial artist.
Kiyoyuki Terada (寺田精之, Terada Kiyoyuki, March 20, 1922 – July 13, 2009) was a Japanese aikido teacher. He was ranked…
Kiyoyuki Terada (寺田精之, Terada Kiyoyuki, March 20, 1922 – July 13, 2009) was a Japanese aikido teacher. He was ranked 10th dan in Yoshinkan Aikido and served as the most senior instructor in Yoshinkan Aikido until his death.
Kisshomaru Ueshiba (植芝 吉祥丸, Ueshiba Kisshōmaru; 27 June 1921 – 4 January 1999) was a Japanese teacher of aikido. He was…
Kisshomaru Ueshiba (植芝 吉祥丸, Ueshiba Kisshōmaru; 27 June 1921 – 4 January 1999) was a Japanese teacher of aikido. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba. After his father's death in 1969, he became the 2nd Dōshu.
Koichi Tohei (藤平光一, Tōhei Kōichi) (20 January 1920 – 19 May 2011) was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society…
Koichi Tohei (藤平光一, Tōhei Kōichi) (20 January 1920 – 19 May 2011) was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (literally "aikido with mind and body unified"), but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.
Motokatsu Inoue (1918-1993) was a Japanese martial artist, noted as the Grandmaster of Yui Shin Kai and Ryukyu…
Motokatsu Inoue (1918-1993) was a Japanese martial artist, noted as the Grandmaster of Yui Shin Kai and Ryukyu Kobujutsu The first man to be awarded 'Hanshi' (Menkyo Kaiden) by Taira Shinken.
Kenshiro Abbe (阿部 謙四郎, Abe Kenshirō; 15 December 1915 – 1 December 1985) was a Japanese master of judo, aikido, and…
Kenshiro Abbe (阿部 謙四郎, Abe Kenshirō; 15 December 1915 – 1 December 1985) was a Japanese master of judo, aikido, and kendo. He introduced aikido to the United Kingdom in 1955, and founded the Kyushindo system. Abbe was a graduate of the Budo Senmon Gakko, having studied judo and kendo there. Following an early career in the martial arts, he served in the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II. He then trained in aikido under its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, for a decade. Abbe held dan ranks in several martial arts, most notably 8th dan in judo, 6th dan in aikido, and 6th dan in kendo. After introducing aikido to the UK, he established several Japanese martial arts councils there during the late 1950s. He returned to Japan in 1964 and remained there for most of the remainder of his life. There are contradictory accounts of Abbe's final years, but it appears that he was in poor spirits and poor health towards the end.
Gozo Shioda (塩田 剛三, Shioda Gōzō; September 9, 1915 – July 17, 1994) was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the…
Gozo Shioda (塩田 剛三, Shioda Gōzō; September 9, 1915 – July 17, 1994) was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido. He was one of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's most senior students. Shioda held the rank of 9th dan Aikikai and 10th dan of IMAF aikido.
Seiseki Abe (阿部醒石, Abe Seiseki) (April 26, 1915 – May 18, 2011, Osaka, Japan) was a Japanese shodo and aikido teacher…
Seiseki Abe (阿部醒石, Abe Seiseki) (April 26, 1915 – May 18, 2011, Osaka, Japan) was a Japanese shodo and aikido teacher who had a unique relationship with aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, being both his student in aikido and his teacher in calligraphy.
Doshin So (宗道臣, Sō Dōshin) (born Michiomi Nakano (中野道臣, Nakano Michiomi)), (1911–1980) was a Japanese soldier and…
Doshin So (宗道臣, Sō Dōshin) (born Michiomi Nakano (中野道臣, Nakano Michiomi)), (1911–1980) was a Japanese soldier and martial artist. He is most known as the creator and founder of Shorinji Kempo and the doctrine Kongo Zen (金剛禅, Kongō Zen). Practitioners of Shorinji Kempo refer to him as Kaiso, Japanese for "the founder".
Yoshio Sugino (杉野嘉男, Sugino Yoshio; December 12, 1904 – June 13, 1998) was a Japanese martial artist and film…
Yoshio Sugino (杉野嘉男, Sugino Yoshio; December 12, 1904 – June 13, 1998) was a Japanese martial artist and film choreographer.
Noriaki Inoue (井上 鑑昭, Inoue Noriaki; 1902-12-03, Tanabe – 1994-04-13, Kunitachi) was a Japanese martial artist, who was…
Noriaki Inoue (井上 鑑昭, Inoue Noriaki; 1902-12-03, Tanabe – 1994-04-13, Kunitachi) was a Japanese martial artist, who was in his early years closely associated with the spiritual and technical development of aikido along with his uncle Morihei Ueshiba. Inoue is the founder of Shinwa Taidō, a martial art which he later renamed to Shin'ei Taidō. He was the fourth child of Zenso Inoue, the patriarch of the wealthy Inoue family of Tanabe, and of Tame Ueshiba, the eldest sister of Morihei. Much of Noriaki's childhood was spent in the company of Ueshiba. He joined his uncle at Shirataki in a settlement expedition in the north of the island of Hokkaidō (1912–1919) and studied the Daito-ryu Aiki-Jutsu with him under Sokaku Takeda. He was also closely associated with the discovery by Ueshiba of the Omoto sect in Ayabe and his encounter with its spiritual leader Onisaburo Deguchi which had a decisive influence in Ueshiba's later philosophy. Inoue then actively collaborated with his uncle into the spreading of aikibudō, the art derived from the daitō-ryū that Ueshiba has perfected. In 1927, the two men settled in Tokyo, teaching at various locations until the construction in 1931 of Ueshiba's first permanent dojo, the Kobukan. However, after the second Omoto incident (1935) when the military government suppressed the Omoto sect, a breach developed between Ueshiba and his nephew, the latter accusing the former of betraying the cause of the sect by not sharing the fate of its leaders, and the two eventually parted ways with mutual resentment. After the war, Inoue continued to teach in Tokyo independently from Ueshiba, instructing US Air Force officers. While the original aikibudō has now evolved into aikido under Ueshiba, Inoue kept teaching his art as such until 1956 when he changed its name into Shinwa Taidō and finally Shin'ei Taidō. He had little interaction with the Aikikai organization which followed the death of Ueshiba and continued teaching actively until his death. He considered himself a co-founder of aikido along with Ueshiba although that is disputed by the Ueshiba family. Inoue used various names throughout his life: Kitamatsumaru (1902), Yoichiro (1909), Yoshiharu (1920), Seisho (1940), Hoken (1948), Teruyoshi (1971), and finally Noriaki (1973).
Prince Kan'in Haruhito (閑院宮春仁王, Kan'in-no-miya Haruhito-ō; 3 August 1902 – 18 June 1988) was a career officer in the…
Prince Kan'in Haruhito (閑院宮春仁王, Kan'in-no-miya Haruhito-ō; 3 August 1902 – 18 June 1988) was a career officer in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and the 7th (and final) head of the Kan'in-no-miya line of shinnōke cadet branches of the Imperial Family of Japan.
Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in…
Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in aikido and judo family of martial arts. He was a pedagogue of martial arts theory (武道論, Budo-ron). He is the founder of Japan Aikido Association and the competitive aikido (aikido kyogi) style. Tomiki was a professor at Kenkoku University in Manchuria and later at the Faculty of Education at Waseda University. Tomiki is credited in devising and introducing new forms of Randori practice in Aikido. He founded his own Aikido system, which has many differences from other Aikido styles, mainly in randori training, and is referred by several names including Tomiki Aikido, Shodokan Aikido and Sport Aikido.
Seiko Fujita (藤田 西湖, 10 February 1898 – 4 January 1966) was a prominent and highly respected member of Japan's martial…
Seiko Fujita (藤田 西湖, 10 February 1898 – 4 January 1966) was a prominent and highly respected member of Japan's martial arts community. An authority on Kobudō, the classical martial arts of Japan & the Ryukyu Islands, Fujita inherited Wada-ha Kōga-ryū Ninjutsu from his grandfather. Academically, he graduated from Nihon University in the department of Religious Studies. From 1922 onwards, Fujita was called upon to lecture at military academies across the country and was program director for ninjutsu studies at the Imperial Army Intelligence Academy (Nakano School / 陸軍中野学校). He compiled a library, the largest of its kind in private hands (now bequeathed to the Odawara City Library), and authored numerous books & instructional manuals.
Takuma Hisa (久 琢磨 Hisa Takuma, c.1895 – October 31, 1980) was a prominent Japanese martial artist, early student in…
Takuma Hisa (久 琢磨 Hisa Takuma, c.1895 – October 31, 1980) was a prominent Japanese martial artist, early student in Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu of both Sokaku Takeda and aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. Born in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan; in his youth, he was a sumo wrestler. He was captain of the sumo club at Kobe Business School (now Kobe University) and won the All-Kansai Student Sumo Championship. He later became the director of General Affairs at the Asahi News in Osaka. He was advised to learn the technique of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu for self-defense and was introduced to Ueshiba, becoming one of his early prewar students. Later (in 1936) he studied directly under Takeda when the latter came teaching at the Asahi News dojo. He received the Kyoju Dairi (teaching certification) a year later and was awarded the Menkyo kaiden rank in 1939, directly from Takeda. He later became one of the most prominent teachers of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. In 1959, he established the Kansai Aikido Club to teach the techniques of Ueshiba and Takeda. Hisa is also remembered for compiling a catalogue of techniques from photographs taken at the Asahi News dojo featuring both Ueshiba and Takeda. The catalogue constitutes today an invaluable historical source for the early development of aikido. He also held the rank of 8th dan in sumo and 7th dan in judo.
Zenya Kunii (国井善弥, Kunii Zenya; January 20, 1894 – August 16, 1966) was a Japanese martial artist. He was 18th soke of…
Zenya Kunii (国井善弥, Kunii Zenya; January 20, 1894 – August 16, 1966) was a Japanese martial artist. He was 18th soke of the Kashima Shin-ryū school. Known as the "Saint of the Sword" and the "Modern Miyamoto Musashi", he was held as one of the greatest traditional martial artists of the 20th century in Japan, as well as one of the most controversial figures in their community.
Kiyotada Sannosuke Ueshima (上島 三之助 清忠, Ueshima Sannosuke Kiyotada; 1893–1987) was a Japanese martial arts master who…
Kiyotada Sannosuke Ueshima (上島 三之助 清忠, Ueshima Sannosuke Kiyotada; 1893–1987) was a Japanese martial arts master who developed and founded the Kushin-ryu style of karate in Osaka, Japan.
Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan.…
Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan. He was instrumental in developing modern karate, as well as a driving force in the art's acceptance in Japan. He is credited with developing the style known as Shindō jinen-ryū (神道自然流).
Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan.…
Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan. He was instrumental in developing modern karate, as well as a driving force in the art's acceptance in Japan. He is credited with developing the style known as Shindō jinen-ryū (神道自然流).
Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平, Ueshiba Morihei; December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969) was a Japanese martial artist and founder…
Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平, Ueshiba Morihei; December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969) was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" Kaiso (開祖) or Ōsensei (大先生/翁先生), "Great Teacher". The son of a landowner from Tanabe, Ueshiba studied a number of martial arts in his youth, and served in the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese War. After being discharged in 1907, he moved to Hokkaido as the head of a pioneer settlement; here he met and studied with Takeda Sōkaku, the headmaster of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu. On leaving Hokkaido in 1919, Ueshiba joined the Ōmoto-kyō movement, a Shinto sect, in Ayabe, where he served as a martial arts instructor and opened his first dojo. He accompanied the head of the Ōmoto-kyō group, Onisaburo Deguchi, on an expedition to Mongolia in 1924, where they were captured by Chinese troops and returned to Japan. The following year, he had a profound spiritual experience, stating that, "a golden spirit sprang up from the ground, veiled my body, and changed my body into a golden one." After this experience, his martial arts technique became gentler, with a greater emphasis on the control of ki. Ueshiba moved to Tokyo in 1926, where he set up what would become the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. By this point he was comparatively famous in martial arts circles, and taught at this dojo and others around Japan, including in several military academies. In the aftermath of World War II the Hombu dojo was temporarily closed, but Ueshiba had by this point left Tokyo and retired to Iwama, and he continued training at the dojo he had set up there. From the end of the war until the 1960s, he worked to promote aikido throughout Japan and abroad. He died from liver cancer in 1969. After Ueshiba's death, aikido continued to be promulgated by his students (many of whom became noted martial artists in their own right). It is now practiced around the world.