Bushidoboutique

The tale of the text – with a little twist

Takagi Oriemon was the son of Kichiemon and was also trained in the martial arts.

According to one account, through the sincerity of his mother he came to understand the deeper Way of implements and discipline. Leaving his home, he formed his own path and, through constant daily training, ultimately attained mastery. Thereafter, he travelled the provinces as a pilgrim, devoting himself to spiritual and martial refinement.

At one time, he came to a village in Echizen Province and took lodging for the night.

In the middle of the night, he dreamed that an old man stood at his pillow and spoke: “If you aspire to the Way of the sword, remain in this place and devote yourself to the discipline.”

Awakening from this dream, he found it deeply mysterious and significant. Taking it as a sign, he settled there and began to apply himself seriously—not only to martial practice, but to the study of the sword itself.

Drawing upon the discipline he had cultivated during his years of pilgrimage, he trained for five or six years, and in time his name became known.

On one occasion, something came flying from an unknown direction. A group of unruly youths sought to test him, hurling various objects, which he deftly returned with interest.

He then wrote a large record of his exploits and left it behind as a sign of his presence. While the master of the house and his wife were occupied with their affairs, he quietly departed.

After this, his reputation spread. Making his preparations, he set out once more, travelling through the well-known places of the provinces.

A resident of Shiroishi in Ōshū, Takagi Oriyemon — a man devoted to the practice of the Way of the sword.