The name of the art yo-sei-kan is derived from three Japanese characters, yo meaning ‘teaching’, sei meaning “truth”, kan meaning “place”, which may be translated roughly into English as “the place where the truth is taught” or alternately “place for practising what is right”. The intent of the name was not to assert an exclusive possession of the truth regarding the martial arts but rather to describe how the comprehensive nature of the yoseikan training environment allows an individual to discover their own sense of “truth” by studying a wide range of differing martial techniques, philosophies and principles.

Yoseikan Budo originated in 1931 as the style created by its founder Minoru Mochizuki (1907-2003), a high ranking student and assistant to Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, in the pre-World War II period. In addition to the very high ranks he held in these arts he was student of one of the oldest styles of traditional Japanese koryu budō, the Katori Shinto Ryu, and studied with various karate teachers including Gichin Funakoshi, the man who brought karate from the Okinawan islands of mainland Japan.

They began with an extensive research by dissecting each taiko components to reveal its acoustic properties (chemical and physical elements) with the help of engineers and scientific laboratories.  Components were duplicated for trials, followed with rigorous R&Ds to achieve the maximum limits of Neiro (pleasing colorful tone), high energy with sustain, good bounce and feel.

Finally prototype models were completed and distributed to select taiko groups and professional taiko artists for evaluations and critiques.  This pains taking trials and countless modifications took several years – until every minor details were refined to perfection.   Mochizuki Taiko’s product confidence avails an unprecedented Lifetime Warranty and Customer Satisfaction Guarantee – not offered by any other taiko makers in the world (see Warranty for details).

Instead of simply duplicating or imitating antiquated Japanese taiko, refinements were made to achieve its maximum limits by incorporating innovative concepts rooted from the Japanese Dento (tradition), Gijutsu (technology), Waza (knowledge & skills) and Bi (beauty), amalgamated with the latest technologies and exotic materials such as: Titanium (Alloy developed by NASA), 17-4 Stainless Steel (very tough alloy used in machinery parts), T-1 Plate Steel (bullet proof plate steel), Low Density Fiberboard (Compressed wood pulp that posses many properties of natural wood), Industrial Grade Epoxy, Industrial Grade Polyurethane Finishes (Paint used on off-shore oil rigs) and Industrial Powder Coating (used on coil springs) – just to name a few.  These innovations are the result of Mochizuki Taiko’s neiro (pleasing colorful tone), durability, low maintenance, light weight and appealing design – finally each taiko is meticulously hand crafted as an object of art.

Today, Mochizuki taiko is used by many taiko groups around the world.  Mochizuki Taiko is also used and endorsed by the Grand Taiko Master: Seiichi Tanaka (Founder of San Francisco Taiko Dojo).   Every Mochizuki Taiko is masterfully hand crafted by Jay Mochizuki to the highest standards: Professional Quality Wadaiko (Japanese drums).

Please visit their website: Mochizuki Taiko

Yuuta was the second longest running overall performer in the musicals, and the longest running Tuxedo Mask. He is also known for acting in the television shows Kamen Rider and Zyuranger (one of the Power Rangers story arcs in America).

Click here to view the embedded video.

The exact origin of the ninja is a matter of debate. It is known that ninja appeared in 14th century Japan and remained active from the Kamakura to the Edo period. The role of the ninja may have included sabotage, espionage, and scouting. Such actions may have taken place at the service of a feudal lord (daimyo, shogun), or other entity waging guerilla warfare.

Kōga-ryū (甲賀流, literally “the Kōka School” and originally pronounced Kōka-ryū) is a school of ninjutsu. It is one of the most well-known schools of ninjutsu, along with Iga-ryū. It originated from the town of Kōka, modern Kōka City in Shiga Prefecture. This school of ninjutsu specializes in the use of guerrilla warfare tactics and the use of chemicals, a vestige of which can be seen in the many pharmaceutical companies in modern Kōka City.

Koga Ryu Ninjutsu was founded by 53 families during the 10th Century, probably under the Tenkyo period (938-946). Mochizuki Saburo Kameie was given an area of land called Kogagun in virtue of his performance in the battle against Taira No Masakado. He changed his name to Koga Oni No Kami Kameie. However, it was his son Oni No Kami Iechika who studied Genjutsu under Tatsumaki Hoshi and was the founder of Koga Ryu. The families with the most important in Koga Ryu were Koga, Mochizuki, Ugai, Naikii, Akutagawa, Ueno, Ban and Nagano.

Here are a list of links that contain much information about the Mochizuki name in Shinobi history.

• “Ninjutsu hisho ogiden no kan” ( the secret essence of ninja technique) was originally composed by Mochizuki Shigeie in 1536. Mochizuki Shigeie was a Koga Ryu Ninja of the Mochizuki family and was captain of Koga Go Jusan Ke (the 53 families of Koga Ryu).
• Koga-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki is the only existing residence of Ninja. In the Edo Period this residence was built by Mochizuki Izumonokami, the head of the 53 Kaga warrior houses of Koga-ryu, one of the major styles of ninjutsu.
• The Ninjutsu Thesis of Iga Ryu & Koga Ryu.
• History of the Koga Ryu.
• Koka Ninja House Photo Tour. Koka Ninja House (Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki) is the former residence of Mochizuki Izumonokami, the leading Koga ninja family of the 53 Koka ninja families. The house is in its original location in the Koka area of Shiga Prefecture.

On April 1, 2005 The city merged with the town of Usuda from Minamisaku District and the town of Mochizuki and the village of Asashina from Kitasaku District to form the new “city of Saku”.

As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 10,440 and a density of 81.16 persons per km². The total area was 128.64 km².

Former town of Mochizuki area in Kitasaku District

1875【circa】The town of Mochizukishin merged into the town of Mochizuku in Saku District. The village of Kanonjinitta merged into the village of Shigetai. The villages of Irikatakurayama, Iwashita, and Kasugashin merged into the village of Kasuga. The village of Makifuse, Irifuse, Shikibu, Nukei, Kyochu, Kutsusawayamanitta, and Maeyamasannitta merged to form the village of Fuse.
1876【circa】The village of Katakura, Hidai, Tenshinrin, Otanijinitta, Odaira, Mitsui, and Takaro merged to form the village of Kyowa.
1879【circa】Kitasaku District government enforced. The town of Mochizuki and the villages of Innai, Shigetai, Kasuga, Fuse, and Kyowa belongs ot Kitasaku District.
April 1, 1889 The city, town, and village status enforced.
The town of Mochizuki and the village of Innai and Shigetai merged to form the village of Honmaki.
The village of Kasuga was formed without merging.
The village of Fuse was founded without merging.
The village of Kyowa was founded without merging.
April 1, 1954 The village of Honmaki gained town status.
April 1, 1959 The town of Honmaki and the villages of Kasuga, Fuse, and Kyowa merged to reform the town of Mochizuki.
(※The town of Mochizuki was once dissolved since March 31, 1889)

April 15, 1960 Shigetai area from the former town of Honmaki broke off and went to the town of Tateshina.