11 Facts About Tsukahara Bokuden

Tsukahara Bokuden was a swordsman of the early Sengoku period.

Tsukahara Bokuden was the founder of a new Kashima style of kenjutsu, and served as an instructor of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Ise provincial governor daimyo Kitabatake Tomonori.

Tsukahara Bokuden learned the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu from his adopted father and later honed his skills by engaging in musha shugyo, traveling throughout Japan and training with most of the skillful and knowledgeable swordsmen of the day.

Tsukahara Bokuden was the classic knight-errant; a rich nobleman, he travelled the Japanese countryside, often with a full entourage.

Tsukahara Bokuden later systematized the teaching of the Kashima area's local martial arts, including such approaches to combat as Kashima no tachi and Ichi no tachi.

In one anecdote recorded in the Koyo Gunkan, Tsukahara Bokuden was challenged by a mannerless ruffian.

The ruffian laughed and insultingly challenged Tsukahara Bokuden to fight him without a sword.

Tsukahara Bokuden then agreed to fight the man without his sword but suggested they row out to a nearby island on Lake Biwa to avoid disturbing others.

The ruffian agreed, but when he jumped from the boat to the shore of the island, drawing his blade, Tsukahara Bokuden pushed the boat back out, leaving the ruffian stranded on the island.

When Musashi struck first, Tsukahara Bokuden parried the blade using the potlid from the meal as a shield.

Tsukahara Bokuden was wounded 6 times but only by arrows.