JAPANESE SAMURAI / Heihachiro Togo

1847 – 1934 東郷平八郎 Heihachiro Togo A Legendary Admiral Who Shaped Japan’s Naval Legacy Early Life Heihachiro Tōgō was born in 1848 in Satsuma (present-day Kagoshima), coming from a samurai family. From a young age, he dedicated himself to academics, swordsmanship, and sumo wrestling. In Satsuma, the secretive sword style Jigen-ryū was passed down, and Heihachiro maintained a strong connection to its teachings throughout his life. Famous for its powerful downward strikes and focus on the first blow, Jigen-ryū’s philosophy of “abandoning wisdom” resonated deeply with Heihachiro, even after witnessing the might of the British Royal Navy. This formidable style…

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