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Muneomi Sawayama (Maseru)

Soke / Founder of Nippon Kempo

Japanese grandmaster who founded the full-contact armored martial art Nippon Kempo in 1932.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth12/12/1906
Date of Death9/27/1977
Era20th century
Country of OriginJapan (Osaka)Japan (Osaka)
Rank / TitleFounder of Nippon Kempo (1932)
Active Years1930–1977

Biography

Muneomi Sawayama founded Nippon Kempo at Kansai University in 1932. He invented full-power sparring armor (Bogugu), combining strikes, throws, joint locks, and ground fighting.

Associated Martial Arts

Nippon KempoFounder→

A Japanese full-contact system of 1932 that added strikes and throws to kendo's bogu armour. The first Japanese format in which the head could be struck at full force.