His grandfather, who was in charge of the emperor's protection,[citation needed] instilled in him a drive to learn kobudo from an early age.
He began his formal martial arts training at the age of 13 with Kendo attaining a 4th Dan at 25 years old.
[citation needed] In 1988 he traveled to France as part of the Nihon Budo delegation selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education and the Agency of Cultural Affairs.
[citation needed] In 1963, Fumon Tanaka was accepted as a disciple by Nichikan Kobayashi, 10th Soke of the old school of Enshin Ryu sword.
In 1975, Tanaka was selected to succeed his master as the head of the school and became the 11th Soke after having received, in 1973, the certificate of complete mastery (menkyo kaiden); He thus received in 1975 Gokui kaiden, (transmission of all the major techniques) of the school Enshin Ryu, concerning: In 1973 Tanaka Sensei is accepted as a secret disciple of the Head-Master Minaki Saburoji Masanori 17th Master of the Kukishin-ryū and Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu (Bō and Hanbō).