Let me note one of the most outstanding Japanese sports and Budô scientists ever, the man Imamura Yoshio himself.
Born in Kôchi prefecture Imamura was a graduate of the Tôkyô University of Literature and Science. Through his lifetime he taught as a professor at the Tôkyô Teachers College, at the Tôkyô University of Physical Education, at Senshû University and the Tôkyô Women’s University of Physical Education.
His major subject of teaching and study was the Western as well as the Japanese history of physical education (gymnastics, athletics) as well as martial arts.
He was president of the Japanese Research Association for Physical Education and a committee member of the commission for health and physical education of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Imamura passed away on November 19th, 1997, at 93 years of age.
Among his works on Budô are three vast series of books:
- Nihon Budô Zenshû – The Complete Works on Japanese Budô.
- Nihon Budô Taikei – Compendium of Japanese Budô.
- Kindai Kendô Meicho Taikei – Compendium of Masterpieces of Modern Times Kendô.
These are the ultimate ressources on Japanese Budô on thousands of pages.
Additionally, he was an expert in Yagyu Shinkage-ryu Kenjutsu and wrote and published some outstanding stuff about this school of the Shogun’s master fencer, including:
- Historical Records of the Yagyû Shinkage-ryû (1967). 2 vols.
- The Yagyû Clan. Genealogy of the Shinkage-ryû (1971).
- Kôchû. Tsuki no Shô. (1971). (writing on strategy by Yagyû Mitsuyoshi, better known as Yagyū Jūbee, prepared in 1642. It contains comparative studies of the sword teachings and mind-set of Kamiizumi Hidetsuna (founder of Shinkage-ryū), his grandfather Yagyū Muneyoshi (2nd master of Shinkage-ryū), and his father Yagyū Munenori (the shôgun’s master swordsman)).
- Literary Remains of the Yagyû (1974).