Historical Development of the Reigakudō

Founded on 15 December, 1963 as both a kendo training hall focused on ancient Japanese martial arts (kobudō) and a Christian hall of worship (later, the Komaba Eden Church), the Reigakudō was constructed and established through the support of many people surrounding Sasamori Junzo and his wife and Sasamori Takemi and his wife. Sasamori Junzo became the first chairman (dōshu).

The "rei" of Reigakudō refers to observing courtesies and customs, while the “gaku,” in addition to meaning “to enjoy,” also means to place a premium on culture, tradition, and scholarship. “Dō” refers to a place where one enjoys learning. It was completed and christened the “Reigakudō” as a place where one brings multiple approaches together in a quest for personal development through the forging of the mind and body with the spirit of reverence for God, mutual respect, and love of country.

In 1975, Sasamori Takemi received from his father the highest licenses (menkyo kaiden) in Shin Musō Hayashizaki-ryū, Chokugen-ryū (received in 1956) and Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, and also received the Tetsujō Tekka license and the Origami certificate in Ono-ha Ittō-ryū. He succeeded his father as the headmaster (sōke) of these disciplines and assumed leadership as the 2nd Chairman of the Reigakudō. In these capacities he promoted the development and dissemination of Japan’s ancient martial arts.

Sasamori Takemi passed away in August 2017. In October of the same year, Yabuki Yūji succeeded him as the next headmaster of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū and took his place as the 3rd Chairman of the Reigakudō.

Sasamori Ariko established the Reigakudō as a general incorporated foundation, the Reigakudō Foundation, in May 2020.

Reigakudō chairman (dōshu) history

the 1st Reigakudō chairman Junzo Sasamori (笹森 順造)
	May/18/1886 - Feb/13/1976 　　　　 Born in Hirosaki-Wakado Town(Current Hirosaki City), Aomori Prefecture, Japan 　　　　 号：白嶺仙北天 　　　　 天下一流一刀流之極意 　　　　 デンバー大学哲学博士、東奥義塾塾長、青山学院院長、衆議院議員、参議院議員、復員庁総裁、賠償庁長官、国務大臣、全日本剣道連盟最高顧問などを歴任。 小野派一刀流16代、神夢想林崎流居合、直元流大長刀宗家。剣道範士八段。剣道殿堂。
the 2nd Reigakudō chairman Takemi Sasamori (笹森 建美)
	May/10/1933 - Aug/15/2017 　　　　 Born in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan 　　　　 順景　号：白嶺仙美風 　　　　 天下一流一刀流之位格 　　　　 早稲田大学、青山学院大学卒業、神学博士、牧師 　　　　 東奥義塾中・高校教諭、青山学院中等部宗教主任。 駒場エデン教会牧師、名誉牧師。 　　　　 父順造より、小野派一刀流17代、神夢想林崎流居合、 直元流大長刀の宗家を継承。 　　　　 日本古武道協会常任理事、古武道振興会常任理事を歴任。古武道功労者表彰。 　　　　 1998年より警察大学校特別講師。
the 3rd Reigakudō chairman Yuji Yabuki (矢吹 裕二)
	Feb/10/1970 - 　　　　 Born in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan 　　　　 順建　号　白嶺仙美明 　　　　 2017年5月　 一刀流兵法本目録拝受 　　　　 2017年10月　第三代禮楽堂堂主 　　　　　　小野派一刀流18代宗家就任 　　　　　　警察大学術科養成科小野派一刀流講師継承 　　　　 2018年4月 　警視庁剣道教師拝命 　 　　　　 2020年3月 　直元流大長刀宗家就任 　　　　 2020年5月 　一般財団法人禮楽堂代表理事・堂主