Marume Nagayoshi

When the Satsuma army attacked Ōhata in 1555, he fought alongside his father, earning recognition for his military prowess in his first battle.

They challenged martial artists and passersby to a real sword fight with swordsman from the best style in all the land, but nobody came forward and Nagayoshi returned home without having a duel.

After this defeat, Sagara placed the blame on Nagayoshi's shoulders, sentencing him to the severe punishment of hissoku, a kind of house arrest.

It is said that a dejected Nagayoshi returned home and, after several years of training night and day, he opened his 'Taisha ryū' school.

The Sagara, who had already surrendered to the Shimazu, now only controlled Kuma District in Higo Province and had also sworn allegiance to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In 1587, the disfavour towards Nagayoshi had eased, and he once more began to serve under the Sagara clan, being paid 117 koku as an initial salary to teach his Taisha ryū style.

In his later years, Nagayoshi assumed the art name 'Tessai', and it is said he spent his life reclusively, whilst pursuing the cultivation of Kiriharano (in Nishiki).