Who are the greatest ever Japanese martial artists?

[bear2008]

What Japanese martial artists are considered legends by the Japanes people?

[Tant01]

Idolized warriors of old...

Who had the stuff to unify the empire? Japanese history in the late 1500's and early 1600's is full of twists and turns. We have a sandal bearer and grooming servant rise to power by the name of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

His Lord, Oda Nobunaga, armed thousands of peasants with match lock muskets and decimated a cavalry charge at Nagashino in 1575. He went on to conquer most of Japan.

Around the same time (Ieyasu Tokugawa) early in his career helped Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi unify Japan. After Hideyoshi's death (1598), he became the most powerful daimyo by defeating rival barons in the battle of Sekigahara (1600). He became shogun in 1603, made his son Hidetada nominal ruler in 1605, subdued Hideyoshi's heirs in 1615, and at his death in 1616 was the undisputed dictator of Japan

Japanese Gun Control

Ieyasu - FREE Ieyasu Biography | Encyclopedia.com: Facts, Pictures, Information!

[Toudiyama[NL]]

Greatest ever, I don't know but great in their own time, all Mike mentioned plus guys like Konishi, Ohtsuka, Mochizuki, Tohei specifically for the 20th century
the first 3 know as mixed martial artist of their time

Oh MusoGonoSuke the only person to alledgedly defeated Musashi using a Jo

[jubaji]

I'd add Takeda Shingen in there, which I guess means you gotta put Uesugi Kenshin in too

[jubaji]

Maybe add Chiyonofuji in there too.

[akio123]

Miyamoto Musashi for me ^__^

[Dr Jack]

Does Gichin Funakoshi count (or do we consider him Okinawan), if we do consider Okinawan I nominate Gicin Yamaguchi.

[DSA]

Masahiko Kimura who give Helio Gracie a beating back in the early days of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Hell they even named an arm bar after him, the Kimura.

[jubaji]

Btw, thank you to whoever left this rep for me on this thread recently:

"Your opinion isn't valued here"

A touching sentiment indeed!

[TTEscrima]

Tak Kubota belongs on the list.

[jubaji]

Know who we missed? Hojo Tokimune!

Holding off the invading Mongol hordes of Kublai Khan(with a little help from above)? Now that's badass!

[jubaji]

Although, Takeda Shingen still tops my list.

[Eagleye]

Wally Jay.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

Mifune. 'Nuf said .

[jubaji]

..................bump