He began studying Daitō-ryū under Takeda Sokaku in 1914 after first learning the art from his father, Sagawa Nenokichi (1867–1950), who was also a student of Sokaku and a holder of a Kyōju Dairi (teaching license) in the system.
Han begyndte at træne Daitō-ryū under Takeda Sokaku i 1914 efter at have lært kunstens grundtræk af sin far, Sagawa Nenokichi (1867–1950), som også var elev af Sokaku og var blevet tildelt Kyōju Dairi (lærerlicens) i systemet.