This is a translation of a short story about Itō Ittōsai Kagehisa (伊藤一刀斎景久), the founder of Ittō ryu kenjutsu (一刀流剣術), and a master swordsman who was alive from the mid 1500s to around the early-mid 1600s. Entitled, “Itō Ittōsai no gokui jitoku” (伊藤一刀斎の極意自得), this story is part of a collection of writings published in the book “Budō Gokui” (武道極意, pgs 7 ~ 11). Having an impressive resume of winning many sword bouts, facing off against criminals, and other amazing feats as an adult in real life, Kagehisa is portrayed in the same light as being both formidable & talented from as early as his childhood in this tale.
Although this is from the perspective of a historical figure’s early life, note that this story should not be considered a 100% accurate account of actual events. This is because there are very little acceptable records of Kagehisa’s childhood, up until his tutelage under Kanemaki Jisai, who at the time was an instructor of Toda ryū kenjutsu (富田流剣術). Other sources such as “Ittō Gokui” (一刀流極意) by Sasamori Junzō recounts a similar story, but with varying, and disparaging, details. Thus, there are many speculations about Kagehisa in the form of stories, but they can be viewed as heroic tales…just like the one being presented here.