Yagyū Munefuyu

柳生宗冬

Heir to Yagyū Shinkage-ryū — Swordsmanship Instructor to Shoguns Ietsuna and Tsunayoshi

Era: Early Edo period
Lifespan: 1613-1675
Associated Sword Tradition: Yagyū Shinkage-ryū

Description

About Yagyū Munefuyu

Yagyū Munefuyu was a swordsman and daimyō of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Yagyū Munenori, the famed swordsman who was the first lord of Yagyū Domain in Yamato Province and who also served as swordsmanship instructor to the shogunal house. His elder brother was Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi, known as a senior disciple of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū.

Succession to the Family Headship

In 1650, Mitsuyoshi died suddenly, and Munefuyu inherited his estate and became head of the Yagyū family. After their father Munenori died in 1646, headship had first passed to Mitsuyoshi. Because Mitsuyoshi left no heir, the family was passed on to Munefuyu.

As Swordsmanship Instructor to the Shogunal House

Munefuyu inherited the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū and served as swordsmanship instructor to the shogunal house. In 1656 he was appointed to this post and transmitted the Shinkage-ryū to the fourth shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna. In 1661 he is said to have also received a pledge of discipleship from the future fifth shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.

Return to Daimyō Status

During Munefuyu's time, the Yagyū family's holdings are said to have temporarily fallen below 10,000 koku, the threshold for daimyō status, and the family to have lost that status. In 1668, however, he received an additional 1,700 koku in Yamabe District, Yamato Province. This brought the total to 10,000 koku and restored the family's daimyō status 22 years after the death of his father.

Later Assessment

Munefuyu, together with his father Munenori and his brother Mitsuyoshi, is regarded as one of the central figures who kept the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū alive as the martial art of the shogunal house throughout the Edo period. He died on the 29th day of the 9th month of 1675, and headship passed to his second son, Yagyū Muneari. His grave is at Hōtoku-ji temple in Yagyū-shimo-chō, Nara City, Nara Prefecture.