et 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 Budo Zenshu – The Complete Works on Japanese Budô.
- Nihon Budo Taikei – Compendium of Japanese Budô.
- Kindai Kendo 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 the school of the Shogun’s master fencer, including:
- Historical Records of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu (1967). 2 vols.
- The Yagyu Clan. Genealogy of the Shinkage-ryu (1971).
- Kôchû. Tsuki no Sho. (1971). (writing on strategy by Yagyu Mitsuyoshi, better known as Yagyu Jubee, prepared in 1642. It contains comparative studies of the sword teachings and mind-set of Kamiizumi Hidetsuna (founder of Shinkage-ryu), his grandfather Yagyu Muneyoshi (2nd master of Shinkage-ryu), and his father Yagyu Munenori (the shogun’s master swordsman)).
- Literary Remains of the Yagyu (1974).
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