Sagawa Yukiyoshi Sensei the highest student of Sokaku takeda Sensei

Yukiyoshi Sagawa (1902-1998) (佐川幸義) was one of the senior students of Daito-ryu Chuko-no-so (“Interim Reviver” / 中興の祖) Sokaku Takeda.
Sagawa’s father Nenokichi (佐川子之吉 1867–1950) was a long time supporter of Takeda, and was actually present at the Hisada Inn when Ueshiba was introduced to Takeda by Kotaro Yoshida.

Yukiyoshi Sagawa began studying Daito-ryu under Takeda Sokaku somewhere around 1913 at the age of 12 (so before Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba) after first learning the art from his father, Nenokichi Sagawa (佐川子之吉 1867–1950), who was a student and ardent supporter of Takeda, as well as a holder of a Kyoju Dairi (assistant instructor’s licence) in Daito-ryu.


 Sagawa Yukiyoshi , who was propably his highest student, and accompanied him as an assistant in the 1930s, received Kyoju Dairi in 1932, Kaishaku Soden in May 1938 and Seito Soden in Spetember 1939.

Daito ryu Aiki Jujutsu Hiden ogi no koto received by  Sagawa Yukiyoshi 佐川幸義
from Takeda Sokaku Sensei in September 1939

• 118 kajo omote ura
• aiki no jutsu omote 53 kajo
• Hiden Ogi 36 kajo Omote Ura
• 御信用之手  Goshin Yo no te 84 kajo Jo - Chu - Ge 
• 解釈総傳  Kaishaku Soden no Koto  477 
• 正統総傳   Seito-Sōden (Inherited general transmission) 123 techniques 
• Daito ryu nito jutsu Hiden  68 techniques Omote Ura

 ==========================


Daito ryu Aiki Jujutsu Hiden ogi no koto  received by  Sagawa Yukiyoshi 佐川幸義
from Takeda Sokaku Sensei in May  1938 (Kaishaku soden was same as Menkyo kaiden in 1938 so  the highest level in Daito-ryu in that times )


 
 

• 118 kajo omote ura 
• Aiki no jutsu omote 53 kajo
• Hiden Ogi 36 kajo Omote Ura 
• Daito ryu nito jutsu Hiden 
• 御信用之手  Goshin Yo no te    Jo - Chu - Ge      84 kajo
•  解釈総傳 Kaishaku Soden no Koto  477 kajo

and 100 Aiki-bo [stick/pole], Aikitachi, 31 Aiki-yari [spear] scrolls

Sagawa Sensei 's Daito ryu scrolls (Aiki Yari , Nito & Kaiden)

Note: Picture  taken from Matsuda Ryuchi's book "Hiden Nihon jūjutsu 秘 伝 日本 柔 術" in 1978.


In January 1954, Sagawa Sensei was actually designated as the successor to Takeda Sokaku by Munekiyo Takeda [son of Sokaku Takeda’s 1st wife] and Tokimune Takeda [son of Sokaku Takeda’s 2nd wife].

But on the 25th of January 1956 tokimune finally  became Soké 宗 家 (head of family, clan, school) and Sagawa So-Han (宗 範) 
 

 During his life, Sagawa Sensei  learned too both judo and kendo, studied and received licenses in Kogen Ittoryu Kenjutsu [one-sword] and Araki-ryu Jujutsu. He received ranks in Oshima-ryu Sojutsu [spear],  also studied karate, sumo, boxing, and wrestling.  

[Translation of Takeda Soke Letter of Succession] From Transparent Power – Tomei na Chikara by
Tatsuo Kimura ( Japanese edition was published in 1995 and english edition in 2009)

Creetings [expressed in very formal Janapese],
During this very cold season were are happy that you are well. We ourselves are very healthy and in good condition, so please do not worry about us.
On another topic, since the passing of our father Sokaku Takeda, the head of the organization Daito-ryu Aiki-bujutsu and jujutsu, we have been discussing who should be his successor to lead the headquarters [hombu]. In recognition of the fact that the highest license granted by Takeda Seisei was to Yukiyoshi Sagawa, whose personal character and techniques are very high level, we are in agreement that Yukiyoshi Sagawa is the most suitable person to succeed. Recently, Sagawa has accepted, and therefore we decide to name Yukiyoshi Sagawa as the 36th Soke [master] of Daito-ryu Akik-bujutsu. We now make this announcement publicly.
Mr. Sagawa became a student of our deceased father in Taisho 2 [1913] at the age of 12. He learned both judo and kendo, which he subsequently polished for many decades. During that time he also studied and received licenses in Kogen Ittoryu Kenjutsu [one-sword] and Araki-ryu Jujutsu. He received ranks in Oshima-ryu Sojutsu [spear], and the essences of other ko-ryu [old matrial arts], and also studied karate, sumo, boxing, and wrestling. He continued to study such budo and sports, and in May 1938 he has granted Kaiden [a very high license]. Ultimately, in September 1939 he received Seito-Soden [the very highest authorized license] covering the entire curriculum of Aiki-bujutsu. His licenses include certificates for 118 techniques, 36 techniques, and 84 techniques; Kaiden: 48 techniques; Aikijujutsu: 53 techniques; Seito-Soden: 123 techniques, and 100 Aiki-bo [stick/pole], Aikitachi, 68 Aiki-ni-to [two-sword] techniques, 31 Aiki-yari [spear] all as named in one certificate scroll. With this he was authorized the license of Seito-Soden. This year he is 51 year old.
In recent times, sports are becoming popular, judo is spreading to other countries, which is outstanding. But Daito-ryu is a way of life, both for self-defence and for healthy and long life. We would like to promote these aspects of Daito-ryu and help it develop. So please connect with Mr.Sagawa, and please make you best efforts to develop this school with Mr.Sagawa.
Showe 29 [1954], January
[address]
[Signed]
Munekiyo Takeda [son of Sokaku Takeda’s 1st wife]
Tokimune Takeda [son of Sokaku Takeda’s 2nd wife]