Junzo Sasamori

Sasamori Junz (1886-1976) was the headmaster (s ke) of the ancient Japanese martial arts of Ono-ha Itt -ry , Chokugen-ry naginata, and Shinmus Hayashizaki-ry iado. He also achieved the rank of 8th dan in kendo. He gained fame within Japan's martial arts community for his work in keeping the authorities under General Douglas MacArthur from completely banning the practice of kendo during the U.S.' postwar occupation of Japan, efforts that cemented his place in the annals of Japanese history...See more

Sasamori Junz (1886-1976) was the headmaster (s ke) of the ancient Japanese martial arts of Ono-ha Itt -ry , Chokugen-ry naginata, and Shinmus Hayashizaki-ry iado. He also achieved the rank of 8th dan in kendo. He gained fame within Japan's martial arts community for his work in keeping the authorities under General Douglas MacArthur from completely banning the practice of kendo during the U.S.' postwar occupation of Japan, efforts that cemented his place in the annals of Japanese history as one of the saviors of Japan's martial arts. His life was much more than just the sword, however. He worked as a reporter for newspapers and political magazines in Japan and the U.S., served as the chancellor of two educational institutions, was a statesman, serving in the legislature, the cabinet, and ministerial posts for over two decades, and founded his own Christian church in Tokyo. Born into a samurai family a little over a decade after the samurai class was abolished, Junz was a key link between the modern world and Japan's samurai past. See less