Sokaku Takeda

Takeda Sokaku (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku, October 10, 1859–April 25, 1943) was known as the founder of a school of jujutsu known as Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Born in the Aizu domain (modern-day Fukushima Prefecture), Sokaku grew up in a time of war (Boshin) and civil strife and was able to witness both first hand while still a young boy. The second son of Takeda Sokichi, a samurai of the Takeda clan who worked his farm and taught at a local school in a B... more

Takeda Sokaku (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku, October 10, 1859–April 25, 1943) was known as the founder of a school of jujutsu known as Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Born in the Aizu domain (modern-day Fukushima Prefecture), Sokaku grew up in a time of war (Boshin) and civil strife and was able to witness both first hand while still a young boy. The second son of Takeda Sokichi, a samurai of the Takeda clan who worked his farm and taught at a local school in a Buddhist temple and Tomi Kurokochi, a daughter of Dengoro Kurokochi, a Yari and Kenjutsu master. It is believed that Sokaku received his first martial arts training from his father who had a dojo on their property. Sokichi was apparently expert in the use of both sword ( kenjutsu ) and spear ( yari ), and had once been a sumo wrestler of ozeki rank. It is believed that Sokaku was exposed to the teachings of Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha and Ono-ha Itto-ryu, schools of spear and swordsmanship respectively. Sokaku then left to go on a period of austere... less