Interview with Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura 

By Allie Alberigo Sensei 

On April 20, 1994, I had the privilege to be invied to Master Shoto
Tanemura's seminar at the Nokado/Madoka dojo in Kings Park, L.I., N.Y.
The dojo is run by Shihan John Olshlager. The seminar began at two
o'clock and lasted for two and one half hours. The training was grueling. In
the seminar we covered only nine basic techniques of Asayama Ryu JuJitsu
that are from Master Tanemura's family scrolls which date back 2000
years. 

After the seminar I was honored to join Shihan Olshlager, Sensei Thomas
Renner and Master Tanemura Sensei for dinner, during which I was
granted permission to interview the master for this issue of Circle of One
Quarterly. The interview took place in a quiet restaurant overlooking the
ocean with a view of Connecticut and the picturesque beach. Again, I was
honored to have spent some quality time with yet another great master of
the martial arts. I can only pray to be as good as the masters I have sat with
and hope that some of their divine spirit and energy can rub off on me. The
interview began over a seafood dinner. Master Tanemura explained how
the same meal in Japan was tremendously different in price. I then asked
the first question. 

Q. At what time in your life did you start to train in the martial arts? 

A. At the age of nine years old, 38 years ago. 

Q. Who was your first instructor? 

A. My father and my uncle were my first teachers. They were very strict with me. I learned kendo first, JuJitsu second and
Ninpo third. My father was very hard on me. I had many bruises and abrasions due to being hit on the head in Kendo practice.
I also remember having to train many times on the ground with bare feet, even in the cold of winter in the snow. 

Q. Who was your teacher in Ninpo? 

A. My teacher was Takamatsu Sensei. 

I then went on to ask about the history of Ninjutsu and the people of the clans. 

Q. What were the Ninja in Japan like? 

A. The Ninja were the working class people, the farmers. 

Q. I've heard the many things about the secret medicines and magic of the Ninja. Is this true? 

A. Yes, there are medicines that are strictly taught from ancient scrolls. They originated in India and China, and were then
brought to Japan. Certain secret medicines could also be very dangerous if taught to the wrong people. Masters only, and
masters with a kind heart. The medicines were taught through direct teachings only. 

Q. In Japan, do you teach the outside methods of training? 

A. Yes, the running, climbing, hiding and camouflaging are taught. They are only taught to people at black belt instructor levels
and a certain select group of people. 

Q. Have you been happy with the caliber of martial arts in the U.S.A. and abroad, outside of Japan? 

A. Yes, very happy. I have been meeting honest people. Then want true martial arts. I came to the U.S. first in 1976. I was
sponsored by Stephen K. Hayes. When the Ninja boom began, many went the wrong way and into the wrong things. People
want true traditional martial arts. Tradition is very important. My style is from 2000 years ago. This has been proven in battle
for many years. It is the True Ninpo. Generations have fought to determine who was the best. Your training is as much the
mind control and spirit power as the physical. You must have religion and martial arts combined, both the physical and
spiritual. I am the 58th generation grandmaster. My spirit is the spirit and the bloodline of 58 generations of masters and their
bloodlines. Through my direct teaching you get direct spirit and direct learning, true spirit and pure teaching from a pure heart,
from all the masters before