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Written by Roy Ron,Genbukan
Shihan, www.ninpo.org
Tanemura Shoto (1947- ) Grandmaster (Soke) Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation, President International Jujutsu Federation (KJJR), Executive Director Japan Jujutsu Federation, Executive President Japan Chinese Martial Art Federation, Saitama Director Grandmaster Tanemura was born in Matsubushi-machi, Saitama prefecture, on August 28, 1947. His given name is Tsunehisa but he adopted the name Shoto (Law of the Sword) as his martial name. His father Sadatsuna was the seventeenth generation family head of the Tanemura family, which was a local samurai family. The family traces its origins to the famous Sasaki and Takeda warrior families. Grandmaster Tanemura began his martial training under his father and his father's uncle Yamazaki Kakunosuke when he was nine years old. At the age of fifteen he entered high school and began to train in Shindo Muso ryu Kenpo under the guidance of the renowned master Saito Seishiro. It was during these early high school days that his quest for true martial traditions have become a life's work. At the age of fifteen he also began training in Asayama Ichiden ryu Taijutsu, Takagi Yoshin ryu Jujutsu, and Gikan ryu Koppo-jutsu, among others. His training was so concentrated that he received his first Menkyo Kaiden in Shinden Fudo ryu and Kukishin ryu when he was only twenty years old. Within the span of a few years he received Menkyo Kaiden in nine other traditions, including Chinese martial arts. During his University days he was introduced to Sato Kinbei sensei and began to study under him. In the winter of 1989 Sato sensei named him as the next Soke (Grandmaster) of Takagi Yoshin ryu, Bokuden ryu, Gikan ryu, and Kukishin ryu. After graduating from Hosei University with a degree in Law, Grandmaster Tanemura joined the police force where he hoped to combine his extensive knowledge and skills of martial traditions, and his academic training, to serve the public. |