Born in March 10th 1887-1889 Died in April 2sd 1972
The first real name of Takamatsu Toshitsugu was Takamatsu Hisatsugu and later on he changed it for Toshitsugu, most known as Moko no Tora (Mongolian Tiger). He was born between 1887/1889 (even him did not remembered) in Kobe and he was also known under different nicknames, including Jutaro (Pure Water), Kikaku (Demon Horns), Kotaro (Young Tiger), Yokuoh (Running in the Sky Old Man). Toshitsugu Takamatsu was the 33rd Soke (宗家) of Togakure Ryu (戸隠流), patriarch and master of eight others styles of Bu Jutsu (武術) and Nin Jutsu (忍術). Since early ages he mastered techniques of various martial arts schools thoroughly supervised by his uncle Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu. Toda was the first Sensei for Takamatsu and inherited from him such styles as Shinden Fudo Ryu, Gyokushin Ryu and Koto Ryu. (link) His father, Takamatsu Yosiyosi, wasn't the one who inherited the secrets of the great martial arts from the legendary Toda and it's still mysterious. Takakage Matsutaro Isitani, the 26th Soke (宗家) of the Kukishinden Ryu (九鬼神伝流) was the head of security at the match factory belonging to Toda’s family, he happened to be Takamatsu’s second Sensei. He taught the talented apprentice the secrets of his Ryu and later Takamatsu was awarded the title of 27th Soke (宗家) of Kukishinden Ryu (九鬼神伝流). Along with this title Takamatsu got proficient in such schools techniques as Gikan Ryu Koppo Jutsu (義鑑流骨法術) and Kumogakure Ryu (雲隠流). One of the martial artists, head master of Takagi Yoshin Ryu (高木揚心流), Mitsuta Tadafudza, instructed Takamatsu on the knowledge of the his Ryu. At the age of 15, Takamatsu had a long and serious fight with two masters of Musashi Ryu which resulted in his eardrum rupture. That prevented him to join the army at the age of 21. Then the young martial artist came to the idea he had to find his niche in the world, unhappy with the work at the match factory he aspired for adventurous not still life. He travelled to China and spent there almost ten years, from 1909 to 1918 (from 21 years old to 30), where he had to survive several times in dangerous situations due to his martial arts skills. At the age of 30, Takamatsu Toshitsugu was acknowledged as the martial artist when he came to the edge when a Japanese warrior perceives the world of the warrior and the world of spiritual power. He was then called Moko no Tora (蒙古の虎) which stands for the Mongolian Tiger. (based to his adventures in China). When he returned to Japan, he opened his own Dojo in Nara (Kansai Province), like his teacher Takakage Matsutaro Isitani. Takamatsu spoke against the tendency to join the traditional martial arts school to the sport, he assumed reasonably that the martial arts school would soon become the contest-based combat schools with exotic techniques to attract people only. Yet, martial art advertising was not the intention set many years ago in the concept of Japanese martial arts. Takamatsu had many apprentices and some of them became Soke in the styles he taught them. Hatsumi Masaaki was one of the best successors of his Dojo who was in apprentice for almost 15 years and was given Soke (宗家) in the nine styles of Bu Jutsu (武術) and Nin Jutsu (忍術). Hatsumi was officially acknowledged as his follower, 34th Soke (宗家) of Togakure Ryu (戸隠流) and the successor of all the schools inherited by Takamatsu Toshitsugu in his time. Takamatsu Sensei passed away in April 2sd 1972 leaving his talented successor alone at 42 years old. He said that the eight gates of the Shinobi (忍) were on his way to train and he did that for over 70 years. This was his true way of life...
(Personnal knowlegde and internet sources)
HATSUMI Masaaki 初見良昭
Born in December 2sd 1931
Hatsumi Masaaki is the 34rd Soke of Togakure Ryu (戸隠流). In his early twenties was asked to teach Judo (柔道) to the American soldiers at the Yokota Army Base, which he accepted. He found that the big Americans seemed to have the size and natural ability for Judo and Hatsumi found that they were learning in months what took the typical Japanese years to study. At this point he began to question his training and began searching for a true warrior tradition. When he was 26 years old, in 1957, he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in Kashiwabara City, west of Iga Province in Japan. He traveled across Honshu island every weekend for almost fifteen years to study with him, the train ride took him over a half day from his home in Noda (near Tokyo) to Takamatsu's home in Kashiwabara (Kansai Province). After many years of studying, Takamatsu Toshitsugu died at 82 years old in his home on April 2nd 1972. A few years earlier Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the next Soke of the nine schools. These historical roots, brought from the ancient battlefields of Japan, provide a mine of rich teachings that are equally applicable to modern situations. Since becoming the Soke of nine Ko Ryu (古流) in 1972 after the passing of Takamatsu Sensei, Hatsumi Soke has become an international figure thanks to the exposure brought to him by his first western students : Doron Navon (Israel) or Stephen Hayes (USA). To reflect the emergence of Nin Jutsu (忍術) into modern society, Hatsumi Sensei formed the Bujinkan Dojo (武神館道場) in the late 70's to teach a more eclectic curriculum of martial arts training to the world. Following in this principle, the 90's has seen him change the name of this martial art to Budo Tai Jutsu (武道体術). Hatsumi Sensei wanted to shift away from the cartoonish image of "Ninja" and more toward the essence of true Bu Jutsu (武術). Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei as a source of remarkable knowledge on the subject of Budo Tai Jutsu (武道体術), Hatsumi Sensei has provided the most enlightening insights into this ancient martial art. In fact he is regarded as The Source of all true Ninpo (忍法) training. He preaches the importance of understanding the principles underlying techniques, not just the mechanics things that will serve the greatest benefit in the flurry of a real fight. By experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear of injury or death and a working knowledge of individual personal powers and limitations, the practitioner can gain the strength and invincibility that permit enjoyment of the flowers moving in the wind, appreciation of the love of others, and contentment with the presence of peace in society. Personal enlightenment can only come about through total immersion in the martial tradition as a way of living. As Soke (宗家) of the Bujinkan Dojo (武神館道場), he actively travels the world to share the teachings of Budo Tai Jutsu (武道体術) as passed to him by his teacher. For years, Hatsumi Sensei holds two international gatherings or Tai Kai (大会) for training, usually alternating between Europe and the United States. Additionally, hundreds of eager students from scores of countries also converge to Japan for training with him and the Shihan (師範) each year. He can be both poetic and unyielding in speech and tone. It's a well regarded belief among all members of the Bujinkan (武神館) that a person can not truly advance to the higher levels of Budo Tai Jutsu (武道体術) without having trained personally with Hatsumi Sensei. Hatsumi has been awarded the International Culture Award by the Japanese government, he was also nominated for his cross-cultural leadership in martial arts instruction. Among Hatsumi Soke's other many honors are the title of Knighthood from Germany, Honorary Doctorate degrees in both Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger and numerous Honorable Citizenship awards from locales such as Los Angeles in California and Dublin in Ireland. Hatsumi Soke have been an actor of several Japanese Television productions, as well as a Nin Jutsu (忍術) consultant for TV and films. Among his many interests are art, music, acting, and writing. Being a former bonesetter, has penned over a dozen books, and is the former chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan. Hatsumi Soke work has also been recognized by numerous government and law enforcement, such as FBI, NSA, RG and many others international government agencies.