08/06/2026
I wanted to share something with you all today regarding the history of Shishin Takuma Ryu (四心多久間見日流) and how it found its home in Toyama.
This monument, the Adachi-zuka, stands as a bridge to 1842. It was built by a student to honor his teacher, Adachi Heishiro, who traveled from Hada to bring this knowledge to the Toyama Clan.
At the time, the Lord of Toyama recognized the depth of this system and designated it as 'Otome-ryu' a protected, secret tradition. It was considered a treasure of the clan, not to be shared with the outside world.
Stephen Wilshaw
-
Original Japanese and English translation of the monument.
足立塚 富山藩御留柔術の伝道を称え
Adachi-zuka: Honoring the Transmission of the Toyama Clan’s Secret Jujutsu
足立塚は、江戸時代に高山から富山に来て、富山藩に武術として「四心多久間見日流和術」を伝えた飛州高山の浪人である足立平四郎正保を称え、天保十三年（一八四二）に門弟である池崎古清によって建立されました
The Adachi-zuka was erected in 1842 by the disciple Ikezaki Kosei to honor Adachi Heishiro Masayasu. Adachi was a ronin from Takayama (Hida Province) who came to Toyama during the Edo period to transmit Shishin Takuma Ryu Wajutsu to the Toyama Clan as a formal martial art.
見日流は、急所を打つ「当身技」と関節技である「逆技」を半々に効かせることが流儀の特徴であり、素手対素手の攻防だけではなく短刀・太刀等で攻撃する相手に対しての護身術としての性格も持ちあわせています
The characteristic of the style is the equal balance between Atemi-waza (striking vital points) and Gyaku-waza (joint locks). It functions not only for unarmed combat but also as a system of self-defense against opponents attacking with daggers or long swords.
このため、当時の富山藩主前田正甫は、見日流の柔術としての価値を高く評価し、当時足立平四郎正保から見日流を唯一授けられた渡辺新蔵繁正を召し抱え、他国の人には伝えない富山藩の御留流として富山藩士に奨励しました
For this reason, the Lord of Toyama at the time, Maeda Masatomo, highly valued the art. He employed Watanabe Shinzo Shigemasa the only person to be fully initiated into the style by Adachi, and encouraged its practice among Toyama samurai as an Otome-ryu (a secret style forbidden to be taught outside the domain).
見日流は、藩士のみでなく広く町人にも広まったため、富山藩の売薬人が全国を行商する際、「越中の売薬は武術を心得ているから、うかつに逆らってはいかぬ」といって畏敬されたという逸話も残されています
Because the style spread beyond the samurai to the common people, a legend remains that when Toyama’s famous medicine peddlers traveled the country, they were feared and respected, with people saying: "Do not lightly oppose the medicine sellers of Etchu, for they are trained in the martial arts."
この足立塚は石碑と台座石が当時のままとなっており、当時の中央と地方を結んでいた旧北陸道の目印の一つともなっています
This Adachi-zuka monument, including its stone tablet and base, remains in its original state from that era. It also served as a landmark along the old Hokuriku Road, which connected the capital with the provinces.
また見日流は富山藩伝来の古武術として、富山市の空遠武道館初代館長清水万象氏から伝授された現館長佐々木一幸氏及び一中武道館の寿江豊二氏によって現在も継承されています
Today, as a traditional martial art of the Toyama Clan, the style continues to be passed down by the current head, Sasaki Kazuyuki (who was taught by the first head of the Ku-en Budokan, Shimizu Bansho), and by Mr Toyoji of the Icchu Budokan.
平成二十三年 富山市
2011 (Heisei 23), Toyama City
#柔術
