Risuke Ōtake (大竹利典, Otake Risuke) (10 March 1926 – 7 June 2021)[1] full name Ōtake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki (大竹利典源健之, Ōtake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki), was a Japanese
martial artist. He was a long time shihan (Teaching Master) of
Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryūbujutsu,[2][3] which he learned as a disciple of the previous teaching master Hayashi Yazaemon (1892-1964) from the time he entered the school in 1942 at the age of 16.[4] In 1967, when Otake-sensei was 42 years old, he received gokui kaiden, the highest level of attainment in the tradition, and at the same time became the school's teaching master.[5] He lived and taught in rural location near
Narita city, in
Chiba Prefecture of
Japan. The teachings of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū were designated an Intangible Cultural Asset of Chiba Prefecture in 1960, with Ōtake designated as guardian of the tradition.[6]
He authored Strategy and the Art of Peace, as well as an earlier three-volume set of books on the tradition entitled The Deity and the Sword: Katori Shinto-ryu.
He was a member of the Chiba Prefecture Board of Registrars and Appraisers for Muskets and Swords; a position he held since 1979.[citation needed]
Ōtake shihan died on 7 June 2021.
Books by Risuke Ōtake
Ōtake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto-ryu Vol. 1, Japan, Japan Publications Trading Co.
ISBN0-87040-378-8 (Original Japanese title for all three volumes in this series is Mukei Bunkazai Katori Shinto-ryu)
Ōtake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto-ryu Vol. 2, Japan, Japan Publications Trading Co.
ISBN0-87040-405-9
Ōtake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto-ryu Vol. 3, Japan, Japan Publications Trading Co.
ISBN0-87040-406-7
Ōtake, Risuke (2007). Katori Shinto-ryu: Warrior Tradition, Koryu Books.
ISBN978-1-890536-20-6 (A total revamp of the earlier The Deity and the Sword book)