Naitō Takaharu (内藤高治) (1862 - 1929) was a Japanese

martial artist Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...

. A swordsman of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, Naitō taught

kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords (shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and has spread ...

to the Japanese Police force, and was also the first teacher at the

Budo Senmon Gakko also known as Butoku Gakko, Bujutsu Senmon Gakko, or Busen (武専), was a school for training young men and women in Japanese martial arts. There were four departments; kendo, judo, naginata and kyūdō. The school was based at Butokuden, a ...

. He helped to create the Dai Nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata, a group that promulgated the practice of kendo in Japanese schools and universities under the auspices of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Naitō was a skilled exponent of the use of '' kiai'' in kendo, and it is recorded that he used this ability in a match with

Takano Sazaburo Takano is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Ai Takano, Japanese singer *Aya Takano, Japanese artist and writer *Aya Takano (swimmer), Japanese athlete * Takano Chōei, scholar of the late Edo period * Takano Fusataro, J ...

. Despite not striking a single blow in the contest, and being hit repeatedly on the ''kote'' (wrist guard) and ''men'' (protective helmet), Naitō was judged to have displayed a superior level of swordsmanship, because he was able to receive Takano's attacks without any sign of concern.

References

1862 births 1929 deaths Japanese kendoka {{Japan-martialart-bio-stub