武道の文化性―東郷重位(示現流)宛の起請文を中心として(2)―

抄録

In the Edo era, a Budo trainee who wished to enter a Budo school had to present a written oath before he become a disciple. This thesis considered the substance of a written oath of the Gigen school, which prospered in the Satsuma feudal clan.
The first part of the written oath is composed of a promise not to teach the technique and theory to other people. The next part is a note of understanding that the trainee may be punished by God if he breaks his promise.
Why did the trainee promise to keep the theory and technique secret ?
(1) Students were conferred full masterships by the teacher after under going Violent disciplines.
(2) They were educated in skills and theory that included religion. Therefore, they must be disciplined for a long time.
(3) Some one who is not disciplined does not understand it because he has not experienced it.
When the disciple received full mastershis, it was done in a solemn ceremony with the disciple presenting a written oath to the teacher. At that time the disciple received his license.
The entrance ceremony, methods of training and imitation rites for the Gigen school of Budo closely resemble those for the Shingon religion. As the Shingon religion is much older than Budo, this suggests that Tigen Budo was influenced by Shingon.