Ito Ittosai

[Mikogami Tenzen]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on Ito Ittosai (swordsman who apparently founded Itto ryu Iaido). All the information I have found on him so far is sketchy. I'd be very grateful if someone could help me out...

[Andoru]

I can provide you a synopsis but the book is back at home....for now it's quicker to get info off a google search.

Some links:

http://www.sword.ne.jp/swordsmen/bushi/ittosai.html

http://home.cogeco.ca/~tokumeikan/itto%20ryu.htm

[Bushidog]

I posted this reply yesterday as well, but somehow it disapearred, so next try...



http://home.cogeco.ca/~tokumeikan/itto%20ryu.htm

From this link I see that Itto Ryu became influenced by Zen because of the relation of Ono Tadaaki and Takuan.

Just brainstormin'...

This Takuan..., wasn't this the priest who lived in the village where Musashi was born?
And according to my information, Ito was the teacher of Sasaki Kojiro, who fougth the battle with Musashi at Ganryu Island?

[yoroikabuto]

First:Not Musashi.Takuan lived in the village of Yagyu.
Second:Not Ito.It is said Ito's teacher Kanemaki Jisai(鐘捲自斎) was a teacher of Sasaki Kojiro.

[Bushidog]

But it was the Takuan who captured Musashi in the mountains, right?

[Hisham]

But it was the Takuan who captured Musashi in the mountains, right?

That's according to Yoshikawa's novel.

[Bushidog]

Which means it is not true?
I know the novel is part fiction, but where is the border?

[Hisham]

There are two serious books about his life, Miyamoto Musashi:His life and writtings" by Kenji Tokitsu and "The lone samurai:the life of Miyamoto Musashi" by William Scott Wilson, Hyaku who's a member of Musashi's school and of these forums did a review on both of them.

[yoroikabuto]

That's according to Yoshikawa's novel.
Hisham-san,that is the answer .Yoshikawa was a famous author.Not a historian.I thought he hoped Musashi would have met Takuan.
It was a fact that Yagyu Munenori and 3th Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu were influenced by Takuan.Yoshikawa had put Musashi on Yagyu's place.
But I like his novel and Bagabondo:wink: .

Bushidog-san ,If you use prefecture instead of village,I could answer"Yes".Takuan's born place and Musashi's are same county,Hyogo(兵庫) prefecture today.But at that era,southwest of Hyogo was called Harima（播磨）,and northeast was Tajima（但馬）.Takuan was from Tajima,Musashi was Harima.
So people live in Hyogo can proud both of Takuan and Musashi :smiley: .

[Bushidog]

Thanks Hisham-san and Yoroikabuto-san :smiley:

I'll try to find one of those books as now I am keen to separte truth from fiction.

[Hisham]

Glad i could help.