Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943) was the martial artist responsible for spreading Daito-Ryu and impacting the development of modern Aikido. He was born into the Takeda Clan, the second son of Sokichi Takeda. He grew up in the Aizu domain (present day Fukushima Prefecture) during the Boshin War. He is frequently referred to as the founder of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu although he more technically the “reviver” of this art. It is believed that Sokaku received his first martial arts training from his father who had a dojo on their property. Sokichi was apparently expert in the use of both sword and spear, and had once been a sumo wrestler of Ozeki rank. It seems that Sokaku Takeda was exposed to the teachings of Hōzōin-ryū Takada-ha and Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, schools of spear and swordsmanship.