Toda Seigen (富田 勢源, 1519?- ca. 1590s?) a renowned swordsman during the
Sengoku Period in 16th century Japan. Seigen was reputed as a master of the
Chūjō-ryū style of sword fighting, excelling in the
kodachi art. It is thought that Toda Seigen was the teacher of the famous swordsman
Sasaki Kojirō
was a Japanese swordsman who may have lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods and is known primarily for the story of his battle with Miyamoto Musashi in 1612, where Sasaki was killed. Although suffering from defeat as well ...
. However, it is not truly known if such information is true, with some rather believing that Kojirō was trained by one of Seigen's students,
Kanemaki Jisai
was a master of the Chujō-ryū fighting style. He was a student of Toda Seigen and teacher to Itō Ittōsai (possibly also Sasaki Kojirō).
Cultural Influence
Kanemaki Jisai is a featured character within the Japanese manga series ''Vagabond ...
. However, one account has said that during Kojirō's childhood, he "...received the instruction of Toda Seigen, a master of the school of the short sword, and having been the partner of his master, he excelled him in the wielding of the long sword. After having defeated his master's younger brother he left him to travel in various provinces. There he founded his own school, which was called Ganryū."
Sometime after training Kojiro, Seigen became blind, but it has been theorised he knew he was losing his sight, reason for why he developed a short sword skill, with the intent to overcome warriors with good eye sight using katana, Nagamaki and Ōdachi. After he became completely blind, Seigen's lord was wondering if he had actually succeeded, so he ordered a sparring with a disciple of Shintō-ryū called Umezu, fighting with a staff over 3 feet. As soon as the fight started, Seigen jumped to him and repeatedly struck him with his wooden kodachi, hand, face, torso, everywhere Umezu was beaten wildly and indiscriminately until his head was broken and he fell bloody. As a blind warrior and using a wooden weapon instead of a Shinken, Seigen had to fight this way, because he couldn't see his opponent's blade and actual state.
Seigen followed in his own death during some year in the 1590s.
Japanese swordfighters of the Edo period
1590 deaths
Year of birth uncertain
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