Author: Bret Gordon
It is amazing what you can accomplish when you start young, meet the right people at the right time, and have an extraordinary level of dedication and personal drive, often going above and beyond what most believe to even be possible. Tanemura Shoto of Genbukan fame is one of the most well-known and respected martial artists of his time. To date, he has either fully inherited or been awarded Menkyo Kaiden (highest level attainable) in no less than 23 different martial arts styles and serves as the President of the Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Renmei, Kokusai Jujutsu Renmei and the Nihon Kobudo World Federation. On behalf of the US Association of Martial Arts, I would like to extend an overdue congratulations to Tanemura sensei for setting the bar so high, and I hope one day to have half of his credentials.
To make sure I'm thorough in listing all of his accomplishments, the following has been copied from the Genbukan website (click here). As of this writing, Tanemura sensei has completely mastered:
- Hontai Yoshin Takagi Ryu Jujutsu – 18th Soke
- Hontai Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu – 18th Soke
- Gikan Ryu Koppo-Jutsu – 14th Soke
- Asayama Ichiden Ryu Taijutsu – 18th Soke
- Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin-Ryu – 18th Soke
- Amatsu Tatara Bumon & Shumon – 58th Soke
- Shinden Tatara Ryu Taijutsu – 55th Soke
- Shinden Kito Ryu Bojutsu – 55th Soke
- Bokuden Ryu Jujutsu – 15th Soke
- Itten Ryushin Chukai Ryu Jujutsu – 3rd Soke
- Chinese Martial Art Hakkesho – 5th Denjin
- Araki Shin Ryu – Menkyo Kaiden
- Yagyu Shingan Kacchu Yawara – Menkyo Kaiden
- Tenshin Koryu / Shindo Tenshin Ryu Kenpo – Menkyo Kaiden
- Kijin Chosui Ryu Daken-Taijutsu – Menkyo Kaiden
- Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Yamamoto-Ha – Menkyo Kaiden
- Mugen Shinto Ryu Iai-Jutsu – Menkyo Kaiden
- Shinden Fudo Ryu Daken-Taijutsu Tanemura-Ha – Soke
- Shinden Fudo Ryu Taijutsu Tanemura-Ha – Soke
- Kukishinden Happo Biken-Jutsu Tanemura-Ha – Soke
- Togakure Ryu Ninpo Tanemura-Ha – Soke
- Gyokko Ryu Kosshi-Jutsu Tanemura-Ha – Soke
- Koto Ryu Koppo-Jutsu Tanemura-Ha – Soke
And that is not even a full list of styles that he has trained in! I think we can all agree that Tanemura sensei is a well-accomplished martial artist that pushes the limits beyond what the average martial arts hobbyist will ever be able to achieve. I would hate for someone to discredit Tanemura sensei's achievements just because they don't understand how he was able to do it, or they don't agree with who awarded him his certifications.
