兵 法 起 請 文
Hyôhô Kishômon
A Request for Instruction in the Warrior Arts
一、 鹿島神流則神陰、新陰御弟子被成唇奉存候、御相傳之義聊以他言仕間敷候、御相傳被下候巻物等不慮之節者返進 仕候様兼而可心懸置事
Item: Being most grateful for being allowed to become a student of the Kashima-Shinryû, also known as the Shinkageryû. I will never reveal even a little of the traditions I learn to outsiders. I will return all scrolls and other texts that I receive as soon as I have finished studying them, and I will always handle them with utmost care.
一、 朝暮心懸置對理御為悪敷義仕間敷候、勿論御口上被仰聞無之前與他流猥試等仕間敷事
Item: Needless to say that I will devote myself morning and evening, concentrate on the intuitive principles of the art, and refrain from doing wrong. Moreover I will not test myself against other styles without obtaining permission in advance.
一、 無理成殺生仕間敷候、付他非諦仕間敷事
Item: I will not cause the senseless destruction of life, nor will I criticize others.
一、 就執行之義後闇義間敷候、尤無被試望被申候共如口傳可相心得事
Item: From the time I take up my discipline, I will never engage in any shady or deceitful acts. Even when I cannot avoid expressing my own views, I will always comprehend and observe instructions.
一、 上之倏々於相背者鹿島大神八百萬神々之神罰罷蒙者也、仍起請文如件
Item: Should I ever turn my back on the above promises, I should suffer onto death the divine punishment not only of the August Divinity of Kashima but of all the myriad gods and spirits. Under these terms I hereby affirm this request for instruction.
鹿島神流師範家殿
Addressed to the Kashima-Shinryû Shihanke