Rakkenhō 楽健法 is one of the easiest ways to purify the body, restore the body’s energy flow, heal diseases caused by spiritual poison, and recover from accumulated fatigue. Rakkenhō was created by Yamauchi Yūgen 山内宥厳, a priest from the Shingon Esoteric Buddhist tradition. He was also a master baker, artist, writer, and teacher of life. Yamauchi Sensei lived at the Tōkōji Temple 東光寺 in Nara, Japan, where he ran his Rakkenhō Headquarters Dojo and taught many people.
I have begun to translate a nine-volume old document that was written by Tanemura Sensei when he was still a Bujinkan senior member. The title of the document is 武道秘巻 Budō Hikan (Martial Arts Secret Volume). There is not so much “new information” contained in the pages. However, the style of writing in certain sections has deep spiritual overtones that express some of the highest teachings that Hatsumi Sensei has always stressed. As the title suggests, this was a kind of “guidebook” for new students entering the dojo. This is a common practice when you train in Koryu (old arts) in Japan. Often, when you take a formal oath of entrance, you may receive an introductory overview in the form of a “Nyumon” entrance guidebook.
