| |
Born in 1887 into a family of warriors, he was taught by his uncle, Masamitsu Toda, a phenomenal warrior of samurai lineage, from whom Takamatsu O'sensei inherited the martial art systems of Shinden Fudo Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Togakure Ryu, Koto Ryu, Kumogakure Ryu, and Gyokushin Ryu.
When he was only 13 years old, Takamatsu was given Menkyo Kaiden (full mastership) of Shinden Fudo Ryu. About that time he was attacked by a gang of youths, one of whom was armed with a sword. He defeated them all, one after another, but when the police arrived, Takamatsu was the one who was arrested! Only when it was over did he realize that he had beaten 60 people all by himself. His grandfather Toda came to bail him out of the Kobe Kiryubashi police station, and the event was written up by the Kobe newspaper as "13 Year Old Judo Expert Easily Flung Away 60 Gangsters". Several sumo schools tried to recruit young Takamatsu after that, but his father would not allow it.
Soon after, Takamatsu entered the dojo of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu, where he learned jujutsu from its master, Mizuta Yoshitaro. He mastered it and went on to inherit this school as well.
When he was about 17, an old master came to work at his father's match factory as security. This old man was Ishitani Matsutaro, possibly the greatest of Takamatsu's teachers. Toda warned his grandson not to challenge this new master to a sword duel, for he said that his style of Kukishin Ryu was stronger. Ishitani Sensei passed on to Takamatsu the systems of Kukishinden Happo Hiken and Gikan Ryu.
In his late 20's, Takamatsu left for China to test his training and work for the various warlords that fought over the provinces. This was a very dangerous time, and traveling on the open road between villages was perilous. He was involved in many fights, and several times he was charged with murder. He was always found not guilty by reason of self defense. His diary stated that he had fought 12 fights to the death as the result of challenges. By defeating every opponent without a single loss, he became the senior student at the school that trained the Emperor's bodyguards, and there he taught to over a thousand students.
 |
He returned to Japan, and the name of Moko no Tora became legendary. Near the end of his life, he said that he thought he had killed more than one hundred men. Despite this, he was a very spiritual man, and became a Buddhist priest (although he later abandoned this after concluding that it was of little value). He was also the president of the Nippon Minkoku Seinen Botoku-kai (the Association of Japanese Youth Martial Arts).
A year before his death at age 85, he told his student Masaaki Hatsumi that he had taught him everything he knew. He had faithfully transmitted the lineages that were in his custody, and assured himself a place in history.
|
Quotes from Takamatsu Sensei
Ninjutsu Hiketsu Bun (Essence of the Ninja)
The essence of all martial arts and military strategies is self-protection and the prevention of danger. Ninjutsu epitomizes the fullest concept of self-protection of not only the physical body, but the mind and spirit as well. The way of the ninja is the way of enduring, surviving, and prevailing over all that would destroy one. More than merely delivering strikes and slashes, and deeper in significance than the simple out-witting of an enemy; ninjutsu is the way of attaining that which we need while making the world a better place. The skill of the ninja is the art of winning.
In the beginning study of any combative martial art, proper motivation is crucial. Without the proper frame of mind, continuous exposure to fighting techniques can lead to ruin instead of self-development. But this fact is not different from any other beneficial practice in life carried to extremes. Medical science is dedicated to the betterment of health and the relief of suffering, and yet the misuse of drugs and the exultation of the physician's skills can lead people to a state where an individual's health is no longer within his or her personal control. A nutritious well-balanced diet works to keep a person alive, vital, and healthy, but grossly over-eating, over-drinking, or taking in too many chemicals is a sure way to poison the body. Governments are established to oversee the harmonious interworking of all parts of society, but when the rulers become greedy, hungry for power, or lacking in wisdom, the country is subjected to needless wars, disorder, or civil and economic chaos. A religion, when based on faith developed through experience, a broad and questing mind, and an unflagging pursuit of universal understanding, is of inspiration and comfort to people. Once a religion loses its original focus, however, it becomes a deadly thing with which to deceive, control, and tax the people through the manipulation of their beliefs and fears. It is the same with the martial arts. The skills of self-protection, which should provide a feeling of inner peace and security for the marial artist, so often develop without a balance in the personality and lead the lesser martial artist into warped realms of unceasing conflict and competition which eventually consume him.
If an expert in the fighting arts sincerely pursues the essence of ninjutsu, devoid of the influence of the ego's desires, the student will progressively come to realize the ultimate secret for becoming invincible - the attainment of the 'mind and eyes of the divine.' The combatant who would win must be in harmony with the scheme of totality, and must be guided by an intuitive knowledge of the playing out of fate. In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.
The vast universe, beautiful in its coldly impersonal totality, contains all that we call good and bad, all the answers for all the paradoxes we see around us. By opening his eyes and his mind, the ninja can responsively follow the subtle seasons and reasons of heaven, changing just as change is necessary, adapting always, so that in the end there is no such thing as surprise for the ninja.
"Supernatural power is not a skill or trick. It exists in your heart, in your sincerity. Religion is the same, too."
"Let us all gain happiness by expelling grief, sorrow, and distress from our hearts. Happiness is the supreme satisfaction that this life offers. Dispel dissatisfaction and sorrow, rethink the source to find happiness."
|
