26 Facts About Trevor Leggett

Trevor Leggett was one of the first Europeans to study martial arts in Japan.

Trevor Leggett held the title of Shihan, and the rank of 6th dan in judo from the Kodokan.

Trevor 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.

Trevor Leggett was born on 22 August 1914 in Brondesbury, northwestern London, in the United Kingdom.

Trevor Leggett was the third son of Ernest Lewis Leggett, a professional violinist who had come from a farming family, and Isobel Mabel Leggett, a nurse from an affluent Scottish family.

Trevor Leggett told me he had been outsize at school and bullied.

Trevor Leggett joined the Budokwai in London in 1932, training primarily under Yukio Tani, who would have a profound influence on the young man.

Trevor Leggett met Tani who asked where he was going.

Trevor Leggett studied law at university, graduating with a degree from the University of London in 1934.

Trevor Leggett went to Japan in 1938, and continued his studies in judo.

Trevor Leggett received his 4th dan, 5th dan, and 6th dan promotions from the Kodokan.

Trevor Leggett recounted that judo was rougher and more dangerous as practised before World War II than after the war.

When World War II began in Europe, Trevor Leggett was attached to the British Embassy in Tokyo.

Trevor Leggett managed to continue his judo training with his Japanese guards.

Trevor Leggett joined the Ministry of Information and attended a Japanese language refresher course at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Trevor Leggett held the rank of Major in the Ministry of Information's Far Eastern Division, which later merged with the Psychological Warfare Division.

Trevor 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.

Trevor Leggett became programme organiser of the BBC's Japanese Section in 1950.

Trevor Leggett had apparently decided he had done enough in this sphere, and began writing books about judo, budo, Eastern philosophy, and Zen Buddhism.

Trevor Leggett held the rank of 5th dan in shogi and wrote books on this topic as well.

Trevor Leggett remained with the BBC until he retired in 1969.

Trevor Leggett was remembered as a courteous and kindly colleague, well respected for his extensive knowledge of Japan.

Trevor Leggett published over 30 books, including A first Zen reader, Samurai Zen: The warrior koans, and Three ages of Zen.

On 3 May 1984, Trevor Leggett was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd Class, by the Japanese government for his services in introducing Japanese culture to the UK.

Trevor Leggett died of a stroke in the early morning on 2 August 2000 at St Mary's Hospital, London.

Trevor Leggett's funeral was held on the morning of 11 August 2000 at the Mortlake Crematorium.