Takano Sasaburō · Lineage tree

Also known as

Takano Sasaburo · Takano Sasaburou · 靖斎 · 豊正

Description

One of the two leading authorities in early Shōwa kendo (alongside Nakayama Hakudo), known as "昭和の剣聖" (Shōwa's Sword Saint). Trained in Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū from his grandfather Takano Sakichirō, then studied under Yamaoka Tesshu. Served as a gekken instructor for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police from 1886, then transferred to the Saitama prefectural police as martial-arts instructor in 1888, rising to keibu. Founded the Meishinkan dojo in Urawa (1890) and later Shudogakuin (1918). Lecturer, then (from 1916) professor, at Tokyo Higher Normal School (1908–1936), where he implemented the dan and kyu ranking system for kendo. Served on the Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kenjutsu Kata Committee (1911–1912), producing the ten-form Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kenjutsu Kata ratified by the Butokukai on 16 October 1912. Awarded the title of hanshi by the Butokukai in 1913, and Junior Fourth Rank and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th class, in 1936. Author of the influential kendo textbook 剣道 (1915). Posthumously inducted into the All Japan Kendo Federation's Kendo Hall of Fame (2003).

Teachers (2)

• person
  Takano Sakichirō

  sports_martial_artsNakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Four independent sources agree that Takano's grandfather Sakichiro trained him in Nakanishi-ha Itto-ryu from early childhood.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1865–1879)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Four independent sources agree that Takano's grandfather Sakichiro trained him in Nakanishi-ha Itto-ryu from early childhood.

  “幼少時から祖父で忍藩剣術指南役の高野佐吉郎に中西派一刀流剣術を学ぶ。”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “Mitsumasa's enthusiasm never faltered, and he began to train Sasaburo's himself from the age of 3, often coaxing the young child into kata practise by offering sweets.”

  — George McCall. Takano Sasaburo (1862-1950) link history info

  “３歳になった時に、秩父地方では有名であった剣術家の祖父佐吉郎（苗正）より桐の木で造った木刀を頂きました。佐三郎は、祖父から小野派一刀流の剣術を教えて頂きました。”

  — 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Chichibu-based commemorative society). 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Takano Sasaburo Commemorative Society) link history info
• person
  Yamaoka Tesshu

  sports_martial_artsKenjutsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The kenshi247 biography and the Japanese Wikipedia article both state that Takano trained at Yamaoka Tesshu's Shumpukan; Bennett's Kendo Culture of the Sword independently corroborates that Tesshu taught Takano.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1879)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The kenshi247 biography and the Japanese Wikipedia article both state that Takano trained at Yamaoka Tesshu's Shumpukan; Bennett's Kendo Culture of the Sword independently corroborates that Tesshu taught Takano.

  “After being in the capital for a short time, Sasaburo was introduced to and ended up training in Yamaoka Tesshu's dojo, Shumpukan.”

  — George McCall. Takano Sasaburo (1862-1950) link history info

  “上京して山岡鉄舟に師事し”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  reviewsPeer-reviewed

  “Tesshū also taught Nishikubo Hiromichi (1863-1930) and Takano Sasaburō (1862-1950), who were of particular importance to the nationalization of kendo.”

  — Bennett, Alexander C.. (2015). Kendo: Culture of the Swordlink info

Offices held (3)

• corporate_fareHeadMeishinkan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  An authored chronology and an independent web biography agree.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  1891

  The sources do not name the office. Takano renamed the school from his grandfather's Meishinsha and set up its branch dojo, so Head describes what he did rather than a recorded title.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  An authored chronology and an independent web biography agree.

  “高野佐三郎，祖父の明信社を明信館と改める。以後千葉，群馬，神奈川，茨城，東京に分館を設立。”

  — 杉江 正敏. (1976). 近代武道の成立過程に関する研究―『日本武術名家伝』の年表的整理― link history info

  “In 1890 he built his dojo, Meishinkan, on the grounds of his fathers business and left the police. The Urawa Meishinkan would serve to be the HQ dojo for a network of branch dojos in the prefecture.”

  — George McCall. Takano Sasaburo (1862-1950) link history info
• corporate_fareChief commissioner (主査) Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kenjutsu Kata Committee Probable

  Probable

  One authored history.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  1911 – 1912

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  One authored history.

  reviewsPeer-reviewed

  “The five kenjutsu masters from various ryūha tasked with this responsibility were Negishi Shingorō, Tsuji Shinpei, Naitō Takaharu, Monna Tadashi, and Takano Sasaburō.”

  — Bennett, Alexander C.. (2015). Kendo: Culture of the Swordlink info
• corporate_fareVice-presidentGreater Japan Kendo Society Probable

  Probable

  One authored history.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  1943 – 1945

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  One authored history.

  reviewsPeer-reviewed

  “Takano Sasaburō and Kimura Tokutarō were appointed as vice presidents.”

  — Bennett, Alexander C.. (2015). Kendo: Culture of the Swordlink info

Honours (5)

• receipt_longHanshiHanshi Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Dated to 1913 by the kenshi247 Monna Tadashi article, which names Takano being awarded hanshi alongside Naito Takaharu.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Title

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Dated to 1913 by the kenshi247 Monna Tadashi article, which names Takano being awarded hanshi alongside Naito Takaharu.

  “In 1913, at the same time as Naito Takaharu and Takano Sasaburo, he was awarded hanshi.”

  — George McCall. (2013-10-16). Monna Tadashi link history info

  “範士は60歳以上との決まりがあったが、門奈正（59歳）、内藤高治（52歳）、高野佐三郎（52歳）は特例での授与となった。”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 門奈正 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info
• descriptionOrder of the Sacred Treasure, 4th class Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Stated by ja.wikipedia's infobox and 栄典 section, and independently corroborated with a specific year (1936) by the 1955 Chichibu Shrine monument inscription transcribed on the 高野佐三郎顕彰会 site.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Decoration (1936)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Stated by ja.wikipedia's infobox and 栄典 section, and independently corroborated with a specific year (1936) by the 1955 Chichibu Shrine monument inscription transcribed on the 高野佐三郎顕彰会 site.

  “勲四等瑞宝章”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “昭和十一年勅任教授に進み正四位に叙し勲四等瑞寶章を授けられた。”

  — 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Chichibu-based commemorative society). 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Takano Sasaburo Commemorative Society) link history info
• description正四位 Confirmed

  Confirmed

  ja.wikipedia's infobox and 栄典 section list 正四位 alongside the Sacred Treasure decoration; the 1955 Chichibu monument inscription independently corroborates the same year (1936).

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Other (1936)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  ja.wikipedia's infobox and 栄典 section list 正四位 alongside the Sacred Treasure decoration; the 1955 Chichibu monument inscription independently corroborates the same year (1936).

  “正四位”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “昭和十一年勅任教授に進み正四位に叙し勲四等瑞寶章を授けられた。”

  — 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Chichibu-based commemorative society). 高野佐三郎顕彰会 (Takano Sasaburo Commemorative Society) link history info
• receipt_longSeirenshō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Both ja.wikipedia's main article (with the specific 15-of-460 figure) and the kenshi247 biography independently state Takano received the Seirensho at the 1896 Butokusai.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Certificate (1896)

  granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Both ja.wikipedia's main article (with the specific 15-of-460 figure) and the kenshi247 biography independently state Takano received the Seirensho at the 1896 Butokusai.

  “当時の剣道界の最高表彰である「精錬証」を授与された。この年、精錬証を授与された人数は出場者460名のうちわずか15名であった。”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “awarded Seirensho, a mark of his ability (only 15 people had the honour)”

  — George McCall. Takano Sasaburo (1862-1950) link history info
• receipt_longKendo Dendō Probable

  Probable

  Stated in the 栄典 section of Takano's ja.wikipedia article and in the ja.wikipedia Kendo Hall of Fame article, which lists him among the 15 honorees of the 2003 first selection; Wikipedia only

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Title (2003)

  granted by All Japan Kendo Federation

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Stated in the 栄典 section of Takano's ja.wikipedia article and in the ja.wikipedia Kendo Hall of Fame article, which lists him among the 15 honorees of the 2003 first selection; Wikipedia only

  “全日本剣道連盟剣道殿堂顕彰（2003年）”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 高野佐三郎 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “選考委員会（全日本剣道連盟会長、範士4名、学識経験者4名）の決議を経て、2003年（第一次）に15名、2005年（第二次）に9名が選出され”

  — Wikipedia contributors. 剣道殿堂 - Wikipedia (Japanese). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

Sources

Identifiers