Takeda Sōkaku
Takeda Sōkaku was the central documented transmitter of modern Daitō-ryū and the teacher who decisively shaped Morihei Ueshiba’s martial development.
People Who Shaped Japan
Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was an Okinawan educator who helped introduce Karate to mainland Japan and inspired the Shotokan tradition.
Jigoro Kano
Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) founded Kodokan Judo, led major educational institutions, promoted physical education, and became the first Asian member of the IOC.