This paper examined whether the approach where techniques and tactics are put aside, as seen in the Sekiun School, is seen in other schools as well, taking into account the transformation of values in swordsmanship styles. The key findings are as follows.
1. Common points of Sekiun-School and Jikishin-School
It is said that Harigaya Sekiun, the founder of the Sekiun-School, and Kamiya Denshinsai, the founder of the Jikishin-School, defeated their teacher Ogasawara Genshinsai before establishing their own styles (however, with respect to the Jikishin-School, this account appears only after the establishment of its successor, the Jikishinkage-School). This version of events can be seen as an expression of a break from the swordsmanship of the previous era and the development of new styles. Both schools rejected the swordsmanship of the previous era because they thought it be deviating from the ideal state of mind. A mind that has diverged from the ideal state is referred to as chikushoshin (“bestial mind") in the Sekiun-School and as hi (“error") in the Jikishin-School.
2. Sekiun-School
As indicated in previous studies, the Sekiun School disapproves of swordsmanship styles in which various maneuvers and offensive moves are used to deceive the opponent and gain victory. Acquiring techniques in the Sekiun School is very simple: the practitioner advances toward the opponent to the point where the opponent is within weapon range and then strikes, without sparing any thoughts about oneself.In this study, in a re-examination of the content of the swordsmanship style condemned by Sekiun School, it was found that the techniques and tactics of assuming a confrontational countenance and making either of them aware, while using the other to mislead the mind of the opponent, is criticized. Furthermore, even a moderate confrontational stance is met with disapproval, and being non-deliberate and nonchalant is emphasized.
3. Jikishin-School
The Jikishin-School held that if the mind stood clear of hi, it could attain jikishin, an ideal mental state. Other schools are criticized for advocating strict adherence to a style without seeking mastery of the mind.In the Jikishinseito-School and the Jikishinkage-School, the successors of the Jikishin-School, the greatest importance is placed on maintaining an ideal state of mind and body. It is also thought that if one can preserve such a state of mind and body, opponents with hi in their minds will destroy themselves. Metsuke exists even in the teachings of the Jikishinseito-School and the Jikishinkage-School, but the idea is that the state of an opponent's mind may be recognized by concentrating on the eyes, while devoting little attention to tactical details.
