Takamatsu was born 1'st of March 1888. He learnt Togakure- ryu, Gyokko- ryu, Shindenfudo- ryu, Koto- ryu, Gyokushin- ryu and Kumogakure- ryu from his grandfather Toda Shinryuken. From Ishitani he mastered Kukishinden-ryu, Hontai Takagi Yoshin- ryu, Gikan- ryu. From Mizuta Tadafuza he mastered Takagi Yoshin-ryu. He lived in China for about 10 years, where he had many students. Takamatsu was a very well known master of Bojutsu and Jujutsu, not many knew that he was also Soke of some Ninjutsu traditions. He passed away in May 1972, 84 years' old.
When he was 26 years old, he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in Kashiwabara Citywest of the Iga region in Japan. Het travelled across Honshu islands every weekend for fifteen years to study with his teacher. The train ride took him over a half day from his home in Noda to Takamatsu's home in Kashiwabara.
After 15 years of studying, Takamatsu Toshitsugu died 83 years old in his home in Nara (just East of Osaka) April 2'nd in 1972. A few years earlier Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the next sole inheritor and "Soke" (Family head) of...
Togakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 34th Soke
Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Hiken, 28th Soke
Kukishin-ryu Taijutsu Happo Hiken, 28th Soke
Shindenfudo-ryuDakentaijutsu Happo Hiken, 26th Soke
Gyokushin-ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 21th Soke
Koto-ryu Koppojutsu Happo Hiken, 18th Soke
Takagiyoshin-ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Hiken, 17th Soke
Gikan-ryuGikan Koppojutsu Happo Hiken, 15th Soke
Kumogakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 14th Soke
Since then he has received numerous awards and recognitions from all over the world.
His organisation is called "Bujinkan Dojo" (The Divine Warrior God's Place for Training). And the name of our style is generally called "Budo Taijutsu", see below for a more in-depth description.
He travels outside Japan several times a year to teach at big seminars (Taikai). He thinks it is very important for all practitioners to attend these seminars, if they can't go to Japan regularly. He also writes Sanmyaku (the Bujinkan Densho) which is a must for all practitioners of this art. He has also released several videos and books.
