The founder Tsuji Gettan (辻月丹1648-1727) learned Kenjutsu (swordsmanship, a martial system of sword fighting) under Yamaguchi Bokudensai, a master of Yamaguchiryu Kenjutsu, and was granted a qualification of Menkyo-kaiden (Fully certified mastership). After that at the age of 26 in 1674, he moved to Edo (old name of Tokyo) and opened a dojo (training hall) teaching Yamaguchiryu Kenjutsu. Concurrently, with a strong desire for seeking after the truth, he learned "Zen" (禅) and Chinese classics under the guidance of Zen priest Sekitan Ryozen at Kyuko-ji temple located at Azabu Sakurada-cho in Edo. At 45 years old in 1693, he finally achieved the "Satori " (悟り Enlightenment) and conferred by the Zen priest a "Ge" (偈Buddhist verse ) as,　

"一法実無外　乾坤得一貞　吹毛方納密　動着則光清".

 

【Reading】

  一法実無外　Ippo Jitsu-ni Hoka Nashi

  乾坤得一貞   Kenkon Ittei-wo Wu

  吹毛方納密   Suimou Masa-ni Mitsu-ni Osamu

  動着則光清   Douchaku Sunawachi Hikari Kiyoshi

【Literal meaning】

一法実無外 Ippo Jitsu-ni Hoka Nashi

There's nothing at all but one truth.

 

乾坤得一貞 Kenkon Ittei-wo Wu

The strict adherence to the one is obtained in the universe of Yin-Yang.

 

吹毛方納密 Suimou Masa-ni Mitsu-ni Osamu

Even a minimal dyne of blowing hair be stowed to the back of the chest.

 

動着則光清 Douchaku Sunawachi Hikari Kiyoshi

The end of the motion manifests the emergence of the clear and brilliant light

 

【Explication】

　一法実無外 Ippo Jitsu-ni Hoka Nashi

   There's one true way that resides not outside oneself.

 

乾坤得一貞 Kenkon Ittei-wo Wu

   It is the only principle to adhere in the universe that is filled with Yin-Yang elements.

　

   吹毛方納密 Suimou Masa-ni Mitsu-ni Osamu

  Set the power even a very small fraction of force in one's heart. This causes completer stillness and eliminates all uncertainty from the mind.

 

 

動着則光清 Douchaku Sunawachi Hikari Kiyoshi

  Exhibiting the sublime quality of motion in stillness manifests the ultimate teeth with the ever-calm mind.