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Left: Noma Hisashi, Dai Nippon Yubenkai Kodansha 野間 恒, 大日本雄弁会講談社 Right: Tamari Sannosuke, shihan of Waseda University kendobu Noma Hisashi (later) kyoshi (1909-1938) Author of 剣道読本 . “The Kendo Reader“ Music: Edvar Grieg - In the Hall of the Mountainking Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1, Op. 46. Check out the drum-beat at the moment of impact at 2:01 ;) “Noma Hisashi was born on the 24th April 1910 in Tokyo. His grandfather trained under Mori Yozo, a famous Bakumatsu swordsman and senior student at the dojo of Chiba Shusaku. His mother who was the eldest daughter of Mori Yoza was a skilled writer as well as an exponent of Kendo, Kusarigama and especially Naginata. In 1924 he enrolled at the Yushinkan dojo where he received instruction from Nakayama Hakudo sensei. At the age of 17 he began to receive instruction from Masuda Shinsuke. In the same year the Noma dojo was established and Hisashi began the instruction of children. On the 1st July 1930 aged 21 he was presented with the Kendo Seiren award by his highness Prince Nashimoto Miyamori Maso chairman of the Dai Nihon Butokukai. Also Hisashi began training under Mochida Moriji at the Noma dojo. During 1934 he travelled to Kyoto and other parts of Kansai and Chugoku districts for special training. In September of that year he entered and won the army Kendo championships. He received the trophy from Shirakawa Yoshinori the army minister. On 1st March 1935 he was awarded the rank of Renshi. April that year was spent in Kyushu and in May as Tokyo representative he entered and won the tournament that was held before the emperor in honour of the birth of the crown prince. On 6th July 1937 he was awarded the rank of Kyoshi and on the 7th November of that year he passed away due to illness. When we read the bare outlines of his life, sketched out above we can easily understand that here was a remarkable kendoka who sadly, passed away at the very moment that he was about to flower with his own deep insight into swordsmanship. But we do have his writings and these are also remarkable for this young man was able to express himself in a clear and natural manner. He was a born communicator and throughout his book he brings the reader a sense of his natural enthusiasm and deep love of Kendo. Not only that he constantly refers to famous masters of the past to keep things on an even keel. He is able to pass on to us an enormous fund of teaching. A legacy that one could only otherwise acquire by placing oneself for many years under similar masters.“ ***For many kendo curiosities visit:
