Samurai Master Transforms German Estate into European Hub for Traditional Culture
Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, a renowned Samurai master and head of the traditional Hokushin Ittō-Ryū Hyōhō school, has plans to transform his estate in Lengenwang into a hub for Samurai culture. The project includes an 'outdoor dojo', a Japanese shrine, and traditional baths.
Ōtsuka, born Markus Lösch in Munich, initially pursued writing before discovering his passion for Japanese martial arts. After injuring himself in English longbow archery, he turned to Kendō and Iaidō, eventually emigrating to Japan at 18 to learn authentic Samurai traditions.
There, he met his master and mentor, Ōtsuka Yōichirō, at the Hokushin Ittō-Ryū Hyōhō school. In 2016, Ōtsuka took over the school as the seventh head, continuing its rich tradition. Due to higher demand in Europe, he moved the headquarters to Germany, first to Munich in 2016, and then to Lengenwang in 2025, near his family's blacksmith's forge in Schwabsoien. Today, Ōtsuka holds regular training sessions and seminars on his farm, teaching various Samurai skills and traditions.
Ōtsuka's estate in Lengenwang will soon serve as a center for Samurai culture, attracting enthusiasts from across Europe. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Ōtsuka continues to preserve and share the authentic Samurai tradition, as he has done since taking over the Hokushin Ittō-Ryū Hyōhō school in 2016.
