Mikkyō, Zen, and Daoist Sources in Shinkage-ryū: Reading the Heihō Kadensho, Tsuki no Shō, Honshiki Sanmondō, and Shinpishō (opens in a new tab), Mountain, Sword, and Mind: Volume II. Inner Dharma, 2026. 422 pages.
We examine core Yagyū-ryū writings from the 17th century, including the Heihō Kadensho of Yagyū Munenori and the Tsuki no Shō of Yagyū Mitsuyoshi, which records oral teachings (kuden) of Munenori and writings of Sekishūsai. For completeness, we provide new translations of several works by Takuan, including the Taiaki and Fudōchi Shinmyōroku.
The gokui of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū at the time are examined in relation to Zen and Mikkyō concepts. We then provide an overview of early Owari Shinkage Yagyū-ryū and the changes introduced into its curriculum, examine the gokui concept of seikōsui in the Honshiki Sanmondō of Kimura Kyūho (senior student of Yagyū Munenori who was given the name Unchū-ryū), examine the Edo Yagyū-ryū Shinpishō of Sano Yojizaemon, and compare to surviving Kyushu area Shinkage-ryū densho.
