Yukiyoshi Takamura – Shu Ha Ri
AN INTERVIEW WITH YUKIYOSHI TAKAMURA by Stanley Pranin Aikido Journal #117
Introduction: You may find this article familiar as we hosted this interview on our old page as recorded at web.archive.org/web/20041013134211/http://gojuryu.net/shuhari. I first met Takamura Sensei in San Jose California when I was 12 or 13 years old as he said my character was as interesting as my background. Over the years I would run into him every now and then at various Nihon-Machi or JACL related events. After returning from holiday in Japan in the summer of 2000 I looked up Mr. Yukiyoshi Takamura Sensei to visit or watch class, however was informed he had passed. Takamura Sensei was inspiring for me with his well chosen words of encouragement that I continue training [Gōjūryū Karatedō] when I was questioning myself and my future. At some time, he spoke about this very subject in an article published in the “Aikido Journal.” Johnpaul Williams – Editor: All Gojuryu Network |
Having undergone special training in Shindo Yoshin-Ryu jujutsu as a boy, Yukiyoshi Takamura left Japan while a teenager and eventually settled in San Jose, California, USA. He operated a dojo in California in the 1960s and 70s choosing to provide rigorous training to a small group of dedicated students. His art, now called Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu, embodies the philosophy and spirit of an earlier era of Japan adapted to a Western setting. Takamura’s deep insights into the essence of martial arts will surprise and stimulate modern budo practitioners.
YUKIYOSHI TAKAMURA Shu-Ha-Ri