Takeda Sokaku

Takeda Sokaku is the founder of one of the Ju-jutsu schools known as Daito-ryu Aiki-jutsu. He was born on October 10, 1859 in Aizu Province (modern Fukushima Prefecture).

Sokaku Takeda is a prominent representative of traditional jiu-jitsu. Sokaku's teaching helped restore interest in Japan's classical martial arts around the world. The school, which he founded and taught during his lifetime to about thirty thousand students, is today one of the most famous schools of Japanese jiu-jitsu. In addition, the Daito-ryu system provided the technical basis for Aikido, Hakkor and Hapkido. Despite its importance in the world of martial arts, where many traditional schools have disappeared or become sporting events, Daito-ryu remains little known to the general public.

First of all, Sokaku Takeda should be seen as a master of martial arts, a supporter of traditional samurai values, who sees life as a battlefield, where a moment of negligence can lead to death.