Otake Risuke (大竹利典)

Otake-sensei sadly passed away in the Summer of 2021. For many he was a teacher in more ways than one. Not only was he the Shihan (Headmaster) of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū for many years, but the face of the ryu and for many, the face of Japanese swordsmanship. It's not a stretch to say that for some, he was even the face of Koryu. In his passing the world lost a treasure. As a contemporary of Donn Draeger said "It's incalculable what we lost when he passed away".

He started learning the art in 1942, at the age of 16, as a student of Hayashi Yazaemon (1892-1964) In 1967, when Otake-sensei was 42 years old, he received Gokui Kaiden, the highest level of attainment in the tradition, and at the same time became the school's Headmaster. He lived and taught in a small "town" outside of Narita city, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Due to his efforts, the teachings of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū were designated an Intangible Cultural Asset of Chiba Prefecture in 1960, with Ōtake-sensei designated as guardian of the tradition.

He authored "Strategy and the Art of Peace", which I was honored to have assisted in editing along with 2 other people, as well as "Katori Warrior Tradition" (a re-publication of "The Deity and the Sword"), which I also had the honor of helping to edit.

Otake-sensei was THE example of a martial artist/Budoka. He was a giant. One could say that he really embodied the art and exemplified its teachings to the fullest. He was Katori Shinto-ryu in more ways than one. Not only was he a swordsman par excellence, but frighteningly proficient with all the weapons in the curriculum of the ryu as well as with the Yawara portion of the curriculum. Otake-sensei was a human being from a bygone era, a living personification of warriors of the past.

In addition to being a "Master" martial artist, he was a kind, caring and detail oriented teacher. He took great pains to make sure students understood not only the "how" but the "why" of what they were learning. He had a wonderful sense of humour and a very down to earth nature. Otake-sensei gave a lot to the art and kept it a living tradition. He will be sorely missed but his example and teachings will live on. Marishiten-kai in North America will strive to live up to his life and teaching.