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玄武館忍法武芸
国際柔術連盟
GRANDMASTER SHOTO TANEMURA
Grandmaster Tanemura was born on the 28th August 1947, in the town of Matsubushi, Saitama prefecture, Japan. Tsunehisa was his given name, but later he took the name “Shoto” meaning the “Law of the Sword”. Grandmaster Tanemura is the Soke (grandmaster) or has Menkyo Kaiden (full mastership) in over 24 traditional Ryu Ha (martial arts schools). Some schools trace back over 50 generations!
His father, Sadatsune Tanemura, was the 17th family head of a Samurai line, whose roots extend to those of the Emperors Uda and Seiwa as well as having blood ties to the famous daimyo of the Sasaki and Takeda families. He was an expert in Kenjutsu (the art of the sword) and Jukenjutsu (the art of the bayonet), as well as various schools of jujutsu (Shizen Ryu system) and Ninjutsu (Takeda system). Being a very traditional father, Sadatsune introduced his son to the martial arts at a young age.
The young Tanemura was taught from the age of eight (8) by his father and father’s uncle, Kakunosuke Yamazaki, who was a 7th Dan in the Onoha Itto ryu. He practiced unarmed techniques and sword almost every day.
The training was always serious. It was conducted out-of-doors and the students went barefoot, regardless of the weather. He was regularly knocked unconscious and a bucket of icy cold water would be used to revive him. Once awake, he was expected to continue his training immediately.
At the age of fifteen, he studied Shindo Muso ryu Kenpo from the renowned Master Seishiro Saito. It was during these high school days that his quest for true martial arts began. At the age of thirteen (13), Tanemura sensei was fortunate enough to be initiated into the famous Asayama Ichiden ryu taijutsu along with Takagi Yoshin ryu jujutsu, Gikan ryu Koppojutsu as well as other ancient schools of Bujutsu (Japanese martial arts). His training was so concentrated, that he received his Menkyo Kaiden (full mastership) in Shinden Fudo ryu and Kukishin ryu at the age of twenty.
During his university days, Grand Master Tanemura was introduced to Dr. Kinbei Sato. Even though Sato sensei taught martial arts to many people, very few (including Tanemura sensei, at first) knew of Dr. Sato’s training with Takamatsu sensei. It wasn’t until more than a decade later, that Tanemura sensei (after ending his relationship with another teacher and starting the Genbukan) rediscovered Sato sensei. He was given special kuden (secret oral teachings) and by the winter of 1989, Dr. Kinbei Sato named him as the next Soke (Grandmaster) of Takagi Yoshin ryu, Bokuden ryu, Gikan ryu, and Kukishin ryu.
Grandmaster Tanemura majored in law and graduated from Hosei University. Instead of becoming a lawyer, he chose a career in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. allowed him to use his martial arts knowledge to help others. From traffic cop to detective, his work as an officer enabled him to utilize and test all he had learned in the dojo. His skill was called upon on many occasions, and not once did it fail him. Observing his talent, his superiors allowed Tanemura Sensei to teach Ninpo and Budo to policemen at a special martial arts club. Later, he officially became a professor at the police academy
夢
Vision
On November 28th 1984 after 15 years of service Grandmaster Tanemura left the police and founded 'The Genbukan Ninpo Bugei Dojo' in order to preserve the true lineages and traditions of Japanese Martial arts that would otherwise have been lost to the world
Legendary Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura
These are rare historical truths that come from the most ancient source of Japanese martial arts. It is not just the study of martial strategies over centuries or the knowledge and ability to wield a sword learned from the highest master of them all. It is the deeper understanding of martial culture and philosophy which leads to a stronger mind and a much deeper understanding of the human spirit
