Background
Ten-ichi Shokyokusai was born in 1853 in Fukui, Japan. He was orphaned when he was six years old and was raised by an uncle.
Ten-ichi Shokyokusai was born in 1853 in Fukui, Japan. He was orphaned when he was six years old and was raised by an uncle.
He learned the art of firewalking and sword-blade walking of the Shingon Sect.
Ten-ichi Shokyokusai became an acolyte at a temple, made a pilgrimage of Western Japan. When he demonstrated his art in Nagasaki he was greatly acclaimed. He practiced magic and named himself Ten-ichi with the desire to become the best magician in the world.
Jones, an American who happened to be in Nagasaki, urged him to perform in the United States. His performances of Japanese magic in that country were a great success. He returned to Japan in 1883 and performed at the Bunrakuza Theater in Osaka in 1888. He visited Europe and the United States several times. He received medals for command performances he gave at many European courts.