Hatsumi Yoshiaki was born on December 2, 1931, in the city of Noda, near Tokyo. He later changed his given name from Yoshiaki to Masaaki. His martial arts name is Tetsuzan, which means “Iron Mountain.” At seven years old, he began learning Kendo, and later studied Karate and Judo. He continued practicing Judo in school, along with boxing and various other martial arts. He graduated from Meiji University with a degree in Literature and later graduated from the Japan Honours Medical School of Acupuncture. During his studies at this medical school, he received his 4th Dan in Judo.
Hatsumi was searching for a true martial art and the master who could teach it to him. When he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in 1957, he immediately recognized the master he had been seeking and the true martial art: Ninjutsu. Over the following years, he trained intensely under the guidance of Takamatsu Sensei, demonstrating great skill and perseverance. For 15 years, Hatsumi traveled tirelessly across Honshu Island every single weekend—a journey that took half a day by train—just to study with his master.
As Hatsumi recounts:
“He initiated me into Ninjutsu. After all, Takamatsu Sensei’s waza (technique) was the best. He had no disciples except for me, because he wouldn’t just teach anyone, even if they visited him. He would simply say, ‘Learn from Hatsumi,’ and wouldn’t instruct just anyone. Ultimately, he gave me everything he had. If someone says, ‘I learned from Takamatsu,’ they are lying, because he had only one disciple: me. Furthermore, I never met anyone else who studied with Takamatsu Sensei during the entire time I was with him. Nevertheless, there are some people who use Takamatsu Sensei’s name or my name to give themselves authority. I want people who are interested in learning Budo to be careful. I cannot overlook the practice of deceiving people who wish to learn true Budo.”
When Takamatsu believed Hatsumi was ready, he tested him with a test of truth. One day, Hatsumi Sensei was sitting in a room at Takamatsu Sensei’s house. At one point, Takamatsu told Hatsumi to close his eyes. While Hatsumi did this, Takamatsu Sensei left the room. Hatsumi heard Takamatsu Sensei walk down the stairs. At that moment, Hatsumi relaxed, and Takamatsu attacked him from behind, making two cuts—one vertical and one horizontal. Hatsumi felt that something was wrong, moved to the side, and then immediately forward. Hatsumi Sensei opened his eyes and saw Takamatsu Sensei behind him with a sword in hand. Takamatsu told him, “You have the feeling,” and handed him the sword he had just used.
Following this, Hatsumi Sensei received the Menkyo Kaiden (license of full mastery) and the grandmastership of the nine schools. Takamatsu Sensei told his students: “I have placed everything into Hatsumi’s hands. Now I can repay Toda Sensei, Ishitani, and Mizuta Sensei for their kindness.” By passing the test, Takamatsu recognized Hatsumi as his heir, naming him Soke from that moment forward. Since then, he has held that position with immense dedication.
On April 2, 1972, Takamatsu Toshitsugu passed away at his home in Nara, and Hatsumi became the sole heir and “Soke” (head of the family). In 1972, Hatsumi Sensei united these nine schools and created the Bujinkan Dojo, an international association through which he intended to share his knowledge with the entire world. Today, he teaches at his school in the city of Noda. Countless students from both inside and outside Japan come to receive his teachings. Hatsumi Sensei passes on the knowledge of the nine traditions he inherited. Currently, Hatsumi Sensei balances his Ninjutsu teachings with his work as a bone-setter and chiropractor, which he practices at his own clinic in Noda.
Hatsumi Sensei is a true living encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts. He is considered a living national treasure of Japan, a title bestowed by Emperor Hirohito. In 1995, the Soke received the title of Todo Hanshi (Supreme Master of the Way of the Sword), alongside continuously receiving highly prestigious international awards. Hatsumi Sensei summarizes the spirit of the true Ninja as one of “truth and justice, maintaining an honest and open attitude toward the viewpoints of others. One must care about growing in knowledge, love for family, and the study and dedication to Ninjutsu.”
Takamatsu Toshitsugu Sensei
Toshitsugu Takamatsu was born on March 1, 1888, in Kobe. His ancestors came from a clan in the forests of Takeo, located in the mountainous region of Iga. When he was nine years old, his father decided it was time for him to begin training. Takamatsu was very shy, and at school, they called him “the crybaby.” His grandfather, Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda, was his first master, who personally initiated him into Shinden Fudo Ryu. After a year of physical training, Toda Sensei began instructing him in waza (techniques and skills). Years later, his teacher asked him to participate in a match at the Dojo. Takamatsu easily threw eight opponents. From that moment on, everyone began treating him with respect, and no one ever called him “the crybaby” again.
After learning Shinden Fudo Ryu, he began studying Koto Ryu Koppo Jutsu, and by the age of 13, he had already mastered both styles. Shortly after, he began studying Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu and Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu at the Dojo of Tadafusa Misuta Yoshitaro. By then, Takamatsu was known as Kotora, the Little Tiger. At age 17, he began studying under Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage, who descended from an Iga family that had collaborated with the famous Hattori family. For two years, until Ishitani’s death, he learned Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu.
At age 20, he went to live on Mount Maya, where he had been training regularly, and there he gained immense physical and spiritual strength. A year later, he left for China. At that time, China was undergoing massive changes, and following the fall of the Empire, the Republic was proclaimed in 1912. By the time Takamatsu was 26 years old, he became the president of the Japanese Youth Martial Arts Association. He was considered a master of the highest caliber due to his powerful spirit, personality, and technical mastery. There, they began calling him Moko no Tora, the Mongolian Tiger. Following this period, he returned to Japan around 1919. His activities from this era remain shrouded in secrecy, but they appear to have been dangerous and intense years.
Takamatsu had many students, but only Masaaki Hatsumi became his direct successor. After passing on his legacy around 1968, Takamatsu retired but continued his study of Nature, achieving the ultimate realization: finding the secret of invincibility. Master Takamatsu passed away on April 2, 1972, at the age of 82, but his spirit remains alive in the minds and hearts of the current Soke, Hatsumi.
Hatsumi himself says of Takamatsu:
“I have met many masters of various martial arts, but meeting that warrior named Takamatsu was a unique experience. I could even see him standing right there, but it was as if he weren’t really there, as if he existed in another dimension. Chilling, terrifying… those are the only words I can use to describe him…”