Miyamoto Musashi by Kenji Tokitsu

Author:Kenji Tokitsu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala

THE TRANSMISSION OF MUSASHI’S ART THROUGH PRACTICE

Terao Motomenosuke Nobuyuki received the complete transmission of the School of Musashi. Musashi had the greatest confidence in him. At the time of his death, Musashi gave him both his swords and a certificate of complete transmission.

Motomenosuke at first refused to teach, and he sent what he had received from his master to Miyamoto Iori, Musashi’s adoptive son. Iori immediately gave everything back, saying: “I can be heir to the name and warrior’s honor of Musashi, but I cannot take on the succession of his school. It is my wish that you, to whom Musashi passed on his art, succeed him. Please be kind enough to accept.”

Thus Motomenosuke took over the position of head of the School of Musashi. Motomenosuke’s and Iori’s actions were manifestations of mutual respect. For Motomenosuke’s part, his action was an expression of a great respect and sense of consideration toward his dead master that extended on to his son. For Iori’s part, it was natural to return these gifts; this confirmed his recognition of Motomenosuke and showed his implicit agreement with his succeeding to Musashi’s position as the head of his school.

Motomenosuke’s fourth son had great talent in the martial arts. His father had him take the name of Shinmen Bensuke and gave him the complete transmission of the School of Musashi. Musashi had said to his favorite disciple, “If you have a capable lad, in having him succeed me, give him the name Shinmen.” Shinmen was the name of the familial clan to which Musashi belonged.

In this way the continuity of the first two successions was assured, but Bensuke died at the age of forty-five, and the school began to divide up. As in the history of transmission of all schools of the arts, more branches appeared from generation to generation.

The schools that issued directly from that of Musashi and were formed under its influence were Enmei ryu, Tetsujin ryu, Onko chishin ryu, Mirai chishin ryu, Hozan ryu, Ippo ryu, Imaeda ryu, and Shin gyoto ryu.

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