Master Minoru Mochizuki (1907-2004), 10th Dan, was the founder of Yoseikan Budo, a composite system, comprising techniques from Judo, Aikido, Karate and a variety of other martial arts.

A student of the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano, and the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, Master Mochizuki was a great martial artist and ambassador for Japanese Budo.

Mochizuki Sensei was nothing short of impressive, holding high rankings in a variety of martial arts

• 10th Dan Aikido
• 9th Dan Jujutsu
• 8th Dan Iai-jutsu
• 8th Dan Judo
• 5th Dan Kendo
• 5th Dan Karate

For practitioners of Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Master Mochizuki is of more than just casual interest, as he trained regularly with Shinan Kori Hisataka. Their relationship does not appear to be one of teacher/student, as both were already accomplished in a variety of systems of budo. Instead, it appears that they exchanged techniques and knowledge, in their mutual pursuits of martial excellence.

The setting for this exchange was during WW2 in Manchuria when both were senior civilian officials in the same city – Mochizuki Sensei was the deputy governor, and Shinan Hisataka the manager of the railway.

During this time, Shinan Hisataka imparted his teachings in a kata he developed specifically for Mochizuki Sensei – Happoken. A short form based on Happo-ate (Kusanku), Happoken contained the essence of Kaiso Hisataka’s teachings.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mochizuki Sensei at his dojo in Shizuoka, Japan in 1993, along with Hanshi Masayuki Kukan Hisataka. An interesting note is that Mochizuki Sensei told us that at the time when he knew Shinan Hisataka, Shinan referred to his “style” of karate as being Kudakaryu.

I believe that Mochizuki Sensei may have had a significant influence on Shinan Hisataka, and may well have been the source of many of our Aiki-like techniques.

An interesting side note is that Mochizuki Sensei’s original Judo teacher was Sanpo Toku, the “devil of the Kodokan”, and Shinan Hisataka’s Judo instructor.