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Ryusho Sakagami
:: 1915 - 1993 ::

One of Japan's finest "Bukoka," Ryusho Sakagami, passed away on the the evening of December 28th 1993. He was born in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in 1915. He began to study Kendo at the age of eight. At fourteen years of age, he keen interest led him to Tamagusuku, an Okinawan Karate-do instructor living in a neighboring village. At age 20, he moved to Tokyo and entered the pretigious Kokushikan University with the intention of becoming a Kendo teacher.

He received training from Moden Yabiku, an Okinawan Karate-do and Kobujutso expert, who was living in Tokyo. Sakagami met and was taught by such legendary Senseis as Shinpan Shiroma, Chomo Hanashiro, and Choshin chibana. On their advice, he continued his study in Osaka with Mabuni Kenwa, an Okinawan Karate-do. In May of 1937, he became a deshi (disciple) under Mabuni Sensei.

After graduating from the university, the now Sakagami Sensei returned to Osaka, where he taught Kendo and assisted Mabuni Sensei with the instruction of Karate-do at Kansei, Doshisha, and Toyo Universities. In March of 1990, Sakagami Sensei opened his now Karate-do dojo in his hometown.

Although Mabuni Sensei established Shito-Ryu Karate-do, he was also the second generation head of this teacher, Anko Itosu's (Yasutsune) style. At the Mabuni family home, on January 2, 1952, Mabuni Sensei recommened the Sakagami Sensei succeed him as the third generation head of Itosu-Ha Seito (Itosu's orthodox style). Mabuni Sensei handed down the lineage of his newly formed system to his elder son, Kenei Mabuni, and the inheritance of Itosu Sensei's school to Ryusho Sakagami.

In late 1953, a year and a half after Mabuni Sensei's death, Sakagami Sensei decided to spread his teacher's style to eastern Japan. Initiallly teaching Karate-do, Kobudo, and Kendo in Tokyo, he later settled in Yokohyama. In 1955, the Zen Nippon Karate-do Itosu-Kai was founded and set up its headquarters in Tsurumi, Yokohama. Since then, it has become an international organization with branches in the world.

Sakagami Sensei had a deeply rooted fascination for all Budo, coupled with a proficiency that was unparalleled. He also possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of lineages, histories, kata (forms), techniques, training methods, etc. of most Japanese Budo. Aside from his impeccable skill and vast knowledge of martial arts, Sakagami Sensei was a noted Budo historian and author. He received the achievement award given by the Nippon Budo Kyogi Kai (The Japan Budo Society) in 1982.

During Training, Sakagami Senei was a perfectionist, and a strict and demanding teacher. Conversely, outside of practice he was an extremely affable and humorous person. Setting this example, he produced budoka who have distinguished themselves in their respective arts.

One of the most widely know of his students is Fumio Demura, the head of Genbu-Kai International. ::

History Information Courtesy of Black Belt Magazine