Essential Principles of Toda-ryû Naginata[jutsu]
Heaven (ten), Earth (chi), Man (jin): the ki of these three natural treasures.
An ancient maxim says: “For its roundness head takes after Heaven, for its squareness feet belong to Earth. Front to the south, back to the north, east on the left and west on the right — this is indeed a gentleman’s position.”
Heaven has four seasons, Earth has four directions, just as Man, who has four limbs and finger joints. They turn pure or dirty through ki. Although there may be sages, wise men, fools, and wicked men, one may turn them upright with the potency of this jûji (this is the ten character incantation of Mikkyo). When one is fortified with this mind (kokoro), there is no skill (jitsu) that he cannot perfect. Likewise, when one has drunk [of this mind] profoundly, there is no adversity his mind cannot overcome. Rigidity (gô), pliancy (jû), weakness (jaku), strength (kyo) — after the mind has experienced these four things it becomes traceless and even more expansive. Those which employ this orthodox ki of high Heaven through the device of [life’s] continuous, imperishable cycle, all have ten bodies. One must not overlook them on account of their proximity.
SECTION OMITTED
SECTION OMITTED
To the right [of the page, i.e., the various graphs] is the enumerated essence of Heaven, Earth, and Man, as well as original body of this tradition (ryû). Let this all be taught orally. Even so there will be many years before one may become proficient through practice.
Yamada Tokusaburô
March, 1865 (Keiô 2)
Satô Harumi