Story of the Mongolian Tiger

Toshitsugu Takamatsu

33th Soke of the Togakure Ryu

Toshitsugu Takamatsu was born in the 23rd year of Meiji (March 10, 1887) in Akashi, Hyogo province. Toshitsugu Takamatsu, whose birth name was Jutaro and real name Hisatsugu, later changed his name to Toshitsugu. He was commonly known as the Mouko no Tora (Mongolian Tiger), and took the names: Yokuou, Chosui, Kikaku, Shojuken, Garakuta Bujn, Kozan and Kyosha.

The Takamatsu family originated from Matsugashima in Ise. It is believed that at some point in their family history the Takamatsu 's had been Daimyo of this area and owned the Hosokiubi Castle . Takamatsu was given a makimono scroll called Amatsu Tatara. This scroll connected the Takamatsu family with the Kuki family. (The Kuki family are heirs to Kukishin Ryu).

Toshitsugu's Grandfather was Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu. He had a bone clinic and a Budo Dojo in Kobe . He was of Samurai rank and Soke of Shindenfudo Ryu and a direct descendent of Tozawa Hakuunsai, the original founder of Gyokko Ryu Kosshi jutsu. Toshitsugu's father sent him to train with Toda because Toshitsugu was weak as a child and because he wanted him to be a solider. His classmates would often pick on him until he cried. They would call him "cry baby".

Toda taught Toshitsugu Shindenfudo Ryu. Later he learned Koto Ryu and Togakure Ryu. He was fond of Koto Ryu but had little interest in Togakure ryu. In those days it was custom that senior students worked with beginners. But Toda took upon himself to train Takamatsu .

During his first year of training he was taught nothing, instead he was thrown around by the other students continuously. He would bleed from the elbows and knees. Nobody would comfort him; they would just continue to throw him around the dojo. But every night he came back for more. After a year of this he was taught his first techniques. Soon Toda realised that Toshitsugu was very gifted for Budo . By the age of thirteen he mastered the techniques of the school.

Toda had a Samurai rank, and his family was from Iga province. Some of them were from Takao province in mountain parts of Iga , and a part of them practised ninjutsu . Toda Soke was also writing books about military tactics for The Royal Military Academy . He decided to pass his teachings to Toshitsugu , and he gave him Menkyo Kaiden (master's licence) in following Ryu's:

Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu ,

Togakure Ryu Ninpo ,

Kumogakure Ryu Ninjutsu ,

Gyokushin Ryu Ninjutsu ,

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu ,

Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu.