On the Theory that Asayama Ichiden-ryu Is the Origin of Daito-ryu
For several decades, within the community of classical Japanese martial arts, there has existed a theory asserting that Asayama Ichiden-ryu constitutes the origin of Daito-ryu—a view commonly referred to as the Asayama Ichiden-ryu Origin Theory of Daito-ryu (when Daito-ryu is regarded within the framework of koryu).
Among those who have publicly articulated this theory are Kinbei Sato and Keisetsu Yoshimaru. Both figures clearly stated this view in their writings and lectures, thereby giving the theory a certain degree of historical and documentary value.
Sato advanced this argument in his book Yawara to Ken to Michi (Baseball Magazine Sha).
Yoshimaru, in publications by Baseball Magazine Sha, referred to Asayama Ichiden-ryu as a likely prototype and presented comparative analyses between Daito-ryu techniques and the Asayama technique known as Mae-katate-dori. This comparison appeared in either The Science of Aikido (published in 1990) or The Inner Secrets of Aikido: Unraveling the Mysteries of Aiki and Hakkei.
A close examination of the Okura-den lineage of Asayama Ichiden-ryu—from the Jodan forms through the Shin no Okuden—reveals that there are indeed several kata that are outwardly similar to those of Daito-ryu.
At the same time, differences can be observed in the finer details of movement and methods of manipulation.
Nevertheless, certain fundamental principles are undeniably shared between the two systems, including:
- The underlying logic of lifting and floating the opponent upward
- A technical principle that prevents the interruption of the flow of force
In particular, within the Okura-den tradition, the techniques—when compared with Daito-ryu—clearly demonstrate a more combat-oriented character:
- No time lag whatsoever is introduced between lifting the opponent and crushing them down onto the floor
- At higher levels, the techniques are executed so instantaneously that the opponent is given no opportunity to insert a counter-technique before being decisively subdued
Taking these points into account, one possible hypothesis may be proposed:
that Sokaku Takeda, having learned Okura-den Asayama Ichiden-ryu in the Aizu region, may have deliberately concealed certain highly practical and dangerous techniques when later teaching across Japan.
While this hypothesis lacks definitive documentary proof, it can nevertheless be regarded as a reasonable inference, given the nature of the techniques themselves and the broader context of martial transmission.
Regarding Kinbei Sato
I personally studied Chinese martial arts and classical Japanese martial traditions under Sato-sensei beginning at the age of fourteen, when I was a junior high school student. I belonged to the first cohort of his envisioned Bagua Zhang Specialization Course, and as part of the mandatory curriculum, I also trained in Yagyu Shingan-ryu.
During breaks in training, Sato-sensei often shared various anecdotes related to martial arts.
Regarding aiki-based martial traditions, he once recounted an especially memorable episode:
when he trained under Morihei Ueshiba in Iwama during his youth, his background in classical martial arts allowed him to progress rapidly. According to Sato-sensei, Ueshiba remarked to him:
“There is nothing more for me to teach you.”
Sato-sensei was a man who, throughout his life, steadfastly maintained a strong sense of pride as a Japanese and as a martial artist.
That unwavering stance left a profound influence on me and has been one of the most significant factors shaping my own path in the study of martial arts.
Takamasa Miyamoto
浅山一傳流の大東流起源説について
数十年前より、浅山一傳流を大東流の起源とする「浅山一傳流大東流起源説」が、古流武術界において一定の存在感をもって語られてきました(ここで大東流を古流の範疇に含めて捉える場合)。
その説を公的な形で提示した人物としては、佐藤金兵衛および吉丸慶雪の両名が挙げられます。両氏は著作や講演において明確にこの見解を残しており、その点で歴史的資料的価値を持っています。佐藤先生は「柔らと拳と道」・ベースボール社にて主張しました。吉丸先生、ベースボールマガジン社刊の著者で「原型と考えられる浅山一伝流」と、大東流型と浅山の「前肩取」を比較発表していました。「合気道の科学 1990年刊」あるいは「合気道の奥義 合気発勁の秘密を解く」のどちらかの書籍でした。
大倉伝浅山一傳流の上段型から真之奥傳型までを精査すると、大東流と外形的に近似する型がいくつか存在するのは事実です。
ただし、両者は細部の動きや操作法に差異が見られます。その一方で、
- 受を上方へ浮かせる理合・法則
- 力の流れを断たせない術理
といった根本原理には、共通する要素が確かに認められます。
特に大倉伝では、大東流に比べて、
- 受を床に潰すまでの動作に一切のタイムラグを生じさせない
- 上級者になると、受に返し技を挿入させる隙すら与えず、一瞬で畳へ制する
という実戦寄りの技法が明確に示されています。
これらを踏まえると、一つの仮説として、
武田惣角先生が会津地方で大倉伝浅山一傳流を学び、その後日本各地で教授する際に、当時の武芸者として実戦的技法を一部秘匿した可能性
を考える余地があります。もちろん証拠を欠く仮説ではありますが、技法の性質や伝承の文脈から一定の合理性を持つ推論と言えるでしょう。
佐藤金兵衛先生について
私は中学生の頃、十四歳から佐藤先生に中国武術および古武道をご指導いただきました。当時、佐藤先生が構想された「八卦掌専科クラス」において第一期生として学び、必修科目であった柳生心眼流も修行させていただきました。
稽古の合間には、先生からさまざまな武道にまつわる逸話を伺いました。
合気系武道についての話では、佐藤先生が若き日に岩間で植芝盛平翁に学んだ際、古流経験ゆえに上達が早く、翁より
「もう君に教えることは何もない」
と言われたという印象的な話をしてくださいました。
佐藤先生は、生涯にわたり日本人としての矜持と武術家としての誇りを強く持ち続けた方でした。その姿勢は、私が武道を学ぶ上で大きな影響を受けた点でもあります。
宮本隆正



