TOSHITSUGU TAKAMATSU
Toshitsugu Takamatsu (寿嗣高松), born on March 10, 1889, in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, was a Japanese martial artist and the sōke (grandmaster) of several traditional koryū (old school) martial arts, including the Togakure-ryū school of ninjutsu. Known as “The Last Shinobi,” Takamatsu played a crucial role in preserving Japan’s classical martial traditions into the modern era.
From a young age, Takamatsu was immersed in martial arts under the guidance of his grandfather, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, who trained him in various bujutsu schools including Togakure-ryū, Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Biken, Gyokko-ryū, Koto-ryū, and others. By the time he was in his twenties, Takamatsu had mastered a wide array of classical Japanese weapons, unarmed combat styles, and the esoteric aspects of ninjutsu.
In his youth and early adulthood, he travelled extensively through China and Southeast Asia, where he engaged in numerous martial encounters, some reportedly involving life-and-death duels. These experiences deeply shaped his understanding of martial strategy and survival, giving him practical insight that few modern martial artists possess. Takamatsu was also a calligrapher, poet, and scholar, and he saw martial arts not only as physical techniques but as a path to personal and spiritual development. Later in life, he settled in the city of Nara, where he continued to train select students and record his martial knowledge.
His most prominent student was Masaaki Hatsumi, whom he trained for over 15 years. Before his death on April 2, 1972, Takamatsu passed on to Hatsumi the grandmastership of nine ryū-ha (martial schools), entrusting him to carry forward the ancient teachings. This lineage would become the foundation of the Bujinkan organization.
From a young age, Takamatsu was immersed in martial arts under the guidance of his grandfather, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, who trained him in various bujutsu schools including Togakure-ryū, Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Biken, Gyokko-ryū, Koto-ryū, and others. By the time he was in his twenties, Takamatsu had mastered a wide array of classical Japanese weapons, unarmed combat styles, and the esoteric aspects of ninjutsu.
In his youth and early adulthood, he travelled extensively through China and Southeast Asia, where he engaged in numerous martial encounters, some reportedly involving life-and-death duels. These experiences deeply shaped his understanding of martial strategy and survival, giving him practical insight that few modern martial artists possess. Takamatsu was also a calligrapher, poet, and scholar, and he saw martial arts not only as physical techniques but as a path to personal and spiritual development. Later in life, he settled in the city of Nara, where he continued to train select students and record his martial knowledge.
His most prominent student was Masaaki Hatsumi, whom he trained for over 15 years. Before his death on April 2, 1972, Takamatsu passed on to Hatsumi the grandmastership of nine ryū-ha (martial schools), entrusting him to carry forward the ancient teachings. This lineage would become the foundation of the Bujinkan organization.
