Trevor Leggett
Encyclopedia
Trevor Pryce Leggett was a British judo
teacher, author, translator, and head of the BBC
's Japanese Service for 24 years. He was one of the very first Europeans to study martial arts in Japan. Leggett served in the Ministry of Information during World War II
. After the war, he taught judo at the Budokwai
and worked in Japanese language services at the BBC. He held the title of Shihan
, and the rank of 6th dan
in judo from the Kodokan
. Leggett helped introduce Japanese culture
to the United Kingdom, and was honoured for this by being inducted into Japan's Order of the Sacred Treasure
in 1984. He also produced many works on Eastern philosophy.
, northwestern London, in the United Kingdom. He was the third son of Ernest Lewis Leggett, a professional violinist who had come from a farming family, and Isobel Mabel Leggett (née Pryce), a nurse from an affluent Scottish family. E. Leggett had been a child prodigy, and was an orchestral leader under conductor Sir Thomas Beecham
. Since his father did not approve of his interest in the martial arts, Leggett had to begin practising judo in secret. Sir Leslie Glass, recalling Leggett's account of his own youth, said that "Trevor was a tall, rather gangling figure. He told me he had been outsize at school and bullied. He had taken up judo to work out the resentment which had built up inside him" (p. 328).
in London in 1932, training primarily under Yukio Tani
, who would have a profound influence on the young man. Biographers Anthony Dunne and Richard Bowen (2003) relate that on one occasion, Leggett "looked in at the Budokwai, but, feeling a bit off colour and deciding not to train, walked away. He met Tani who asked where he was going. Responding to the five feet three inch Tani, Leggett said, 'Well, you know, I thought I'd give the training a miss tonight. I'm a bit off colour and a rest will do me good.' 'Now, Leggett San, if a man with evil intent rushes up to you in the street with a hammer, what are you going to say? I'm sorry but I don't feel too good. Can you attack me next week?' Leggett turned on his heel and went back to the Budokwai. It was incidents of this nature, and there were a number, which made a major contribution to his steely self-control and determination" (p. 325).
During his time at the Budokwai, Leggett was promoted through the ranks to 1st dan, 2nd dan, and 3rd dan. He also studied law at university, graduating with a degree from the University of London
in 1934. In 1936, he met Hari Prasad Shastri, a teacher of Adhyatma Yoga who, like Tani, would have a significant impact on him. Shastri became his teacher of yoga
and its philosophy. He went to Japan in 1938, and continued his studies in judo. He received his 4th dan, 5th dan, and 6th dan promotions from the Kodokan
. Leggett recounted that judo was rougher and more dangerous as practised before World War II than after the war.
In the second half of 1942, the detainees were exchanged for staff of the Japanese Embassy in London. Leggett joined the Ministry of Information and attended a Japanese language refresher course at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Given his degree of fluency, he received private classes with renowned academic Arthur Waley
. During the remainder of the war, Leggett served in India. He held the rank of Major
in the Ministry of Information's Far Eastern Division, which later merged with the Psychological Warfare Division. At the end of the war, he returned to London.
Leggett had begun teaching judo at the Budokwai in 1945, and the next year joined the external services of the BBC as Japanese editor of the Far Eastern section. He became programme organiser of the BBC's Japanese Section in 1950. In 1954, he was made a senior instructor at the Budokwai. During the 1950s, he helped 16 British judo practitioners travel to Japan to advance their training, and also arranged for Japanese practitioners to visit the UK.
During his time teaching in the Budokwai, Leggett held a two-hour class every Sunday afternoon. Attendance was by invitation only, and was restricted to those holding brown belt rank or above. Leggett's student, Syd Hoare (2000), claimed that "Virtually all the key figures of British judo graduated from this class." Leggett also held a resuscitation class once each year. In these classes, students would pair up and take turns strangling their partners to unconsciousness, and then reviving them under his supervision.
In 1964, Leggett abruptly stopped teaching judo. He had apparently decided he had done enough in this sphere, and began writing books about judo, budo
, Eastern philosophy, and Zen
Buddhism
. He held the rank of 5th dan in shogi
(Japanese chess) and wrote books on this topic as well. Leggett remained with the BBC until he retired in 1969. He was remembered as a courteous and kindly colleague, well respected for his extensive knowledge of Japan.
Leggett published over 30 books, including A first Zen reader (1960/1982), Samurai Zen: The warrior koans (1985/2003), and Three ages of Zen (1993). Dunne and Bowen (2003) assert that Leggett's greatest literary contribution was, however, the translation of a (then) newly discovered Sanskrit
commentary from around AD 700. This endeavour took him 17 years.
On 3 May 1984, Leggett was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure
, 3rd Class (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon), by the Japanese government for his services in introducing Japanese culture to the UK. In 1987, he received the All-Japan Buddhist Association Literary Award for Translations of Japanese.
Leggett died of a stroke in the early morning on 2 August 2000 at St Mary's Hospital, London. His funeral was held on the morning of 11 August 2000 at the Mortlake Crematorium. One of his Japanese friends once described him as "more Japanese than the Japanese"—his adherence to Japanese culture extended even to wearing the fundoshi
, the loincloth worn only by the most traditional Japanese men. Hoare (2000) wrote: "It is no exaggeration to say that one of the great figures of world judo has passed away."
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
teacher, author, translator, and head of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Japanese Service for 24 years. He was one of the very first Europeans to study martial arts in Japan. Leggett served in the Ministry of Information during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, he taught judo at the Budokwai
Budokwai
is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public.-History:...
and worked in Japanese language services at the BBC. He held the title of Shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
, and the rank of 6th dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
in judo from the Kodokan
Kodokan
, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
. Leggett helped introduce Japanese culture
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
to the United Kingdom, and was honoured for this by being inducted into Japan's Order of the Sacred Treasure
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
in 1984. He also produced many works on Eastern philosophy.
Early life
Leggett was born on 22 August 1914 in BrondesburyBrondesbury
Brondesbury is an area of Kilburn in London, England. It is shared between the boroughs of Brent and Camden.-Nearest places:* Kilburn* Willesden* Kensal Green* Cricklewood-Nearest tube stations:* Kilburn * West Hampstead...
, northwestern London, in the United Kingdom. He was the third son of Ernest Lewis Leggett, a professional violinist who had come from a farming family, and Isobel Mabel Leggett (née Pryce), a nurse from an affluent Scottish family. E. Leggett had been a child prodigy, and was an orchestral leader under conductor Sir Thomas Beecham
Thomas Beecham
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras...
. Since his father did not approve of his interest in the martial arts, Leggett had to begin practising judo in secret. Sir Leslie Glass, recalling Leggett's account of his own youth, said that "Trevor was a tall, rather gangling figure. He told me he had been outsize at school and bullied. He had taken up judo to work out the resentment which had built up inside him" (p. 328).
Judo training
Leggett joined the BudokwaiBudokwai
is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public.-History:...
in London in 1932, training primarily under Yukio Tani
Yukio Tani
was a Japanese jujutsu instructor and professional challenge wrestler.The precise details of Tani's early jujutsu training in Japan are unclear, but he is known to have studied at two Fusen-ryu dojo as well as at the "Handa School of Jiujitsu" in Osaka...
, who would have a profound influence on the young man. Biographers Anthony Dunne and Richard Bowen (2003) relate that on one occasion, Leggett "looked in at the Budokwai, but, feeling a bit off colour and deciding not to train, walked away. He met Tani who asked where he was going. Responding to the five feet three inch Tani, Leggett said, 'Well, you know, I thought I'd give the training a miss tonight. I'm a bit off colour and a rest will do me good.' 'Now, Leggett San, if a man with evil intent rushes up to you in the street with a hammer, what are you going to say? I'm sorry but I don't feel too good. Can you attack me next week?' Leggett turned on his heel and went back to the Budokwai. It was incidents of this nature, and there were a number, which made a major contribution to his steely self-control and determination" (p. 325).
During his time at the Budokwai, Leggett was promoted through the ranks to 1st dan, 2nd dan, and 3rd dan. He also studied law at university, graduating with a degree from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1934. In 1936, he met Hari Prasad Shastri, a teacher of Adhyatma Yoga who, like Tani, would have a significant impact on him. Shastri became his teacher of yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and its philosophy. He went to Japan in 1938, and continued his studies in judo. He received his 4th dan, 5th dan, and 6th dan promotions from the Kodokan
Kodokan
, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
. Leggett recounted that judo was rougher and more dangerous as practised before World War II than after the war.
World War II
When World War II began in Europe, Leggett was attached to the British Embassy in Tokyo. When Japan entered the war in 1941, he was interned along with the other embassy staff. While confined with his fellow Britons, Leggett abstained from alcohol—unlike many of his colleagues—which reflected his ascetic character. He managed to continue his judo training with his Japanese guards. During his time in Japan, continuing his study of philosophy, he had also received instruction at a Buddhist monastery.In the second half of 1942, the detainees were exchanged for staff of the Japanese Embassy in London. Leggett joined the Ministry of Information and attended a Japanese language refresher course at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Given his degree of fluency, he received private classes with renowned academic Arthur Waley
Arthur Waley
Arthur David Waley CH, CBE was an English orientalist and sinologist.-Life:Waley was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, as Arthur David Schloss, son of the economist David Frederick Schloss...
. During the remainder of the war, Leggett served in India. He held the rank of Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Ministry of Information's Far Eastern Division, which later merged with the Psychological Warfare Division. At the end of the war, he returned to London.
Post-war career
During his time teaching in the Budokwai, Leggett held a two-hour class every Sunday afternoon. Attendance was by invitation only, and was restricted to those holding brown belt rank or above. Leggett's student, Syd Hoare (2000), claimed that "Virtually all the key figures of British judo graduated from this class." Leggett also held a resuscitation class once each year. In these classes, students would pair up and take turns strangling their partners to unconsciousness, and then reviving them under his supervision.
In 1964, Leggett abruptly stopped teaching judo. He had apparently decided he had done enough in this sphere, and began writing books about judo, budo
Budo
is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.-Etymology:Budō is a compound of the root bu , meaning war or martial; and dō , meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga...
, Eastern philosophy, and Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
. He held the rank of 5th dan in shogi
Shogi
, also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, and Chinese Xiangqi, and is the most popular of a family of chess variants native to Japan...
(Japanese chess) and wrote books on this topic as well. Leggett remained with the BBC until he retired in 1969. He was remembered as a courteous and kindly colleague, well respected for his extensive knowledge of Japan.
Leggett published over 30 books, including A first Zen reader (1960/1982), Samurai Zen: The warrior koans (1985/2003), and Three ages of Zen (1993). Dunne and Bowen (2003) assert that Leggett's greatest literary contribution was, however, the translation of a (then) newly discovered Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
commentary from around AD 700. This endeavour took him 17 years.
On 3 May 1984, Leggett was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
, 3rd Class (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon), by the Japanese government for his services in introducing Japanese culture to the UK. In 1987, he received the All-Japan Buddhist Association Literary Award for Translations of Japanese.
Later life
In his later years, Leggett lectured on philosophy at the Buddhist Society (where he was a regular lecturer), the Theosophy Society, and other institutions. He was dismayed by the direction judo had taken, seeing it as a chase for medals. Through the 1980s and 1990s, his writings focused on philosophy rather than judo. Despite having severely impaired eyesight from his advanced age, he was still working on his next book during his final days.Leggett died of a stroke in the early morning on 2 August 2000 at St Mary's Hospital, London. His funeral was held on the morning of 11 August 2000 at the Mortlake Crematorium. One of his Japanese friends once described him as "more Japanese than the Japanese"—his adherence to Japanese culture extended even to wearing the fundoshi
Fundoshi
is the traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese adult males...
, the loincloth worn only by the most traditional Japanese men. Hoare (2000) wrote: "It is no exaggeration to say that one of the great figures of world judo has passed away."