Terao Motomenosuke

Terao Motomenosuke (寺尾求馬助) (1621-1688) was a famed swordsman during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan. Motomenosuke would become rather famous for being the first successor to the School of Musashi that had been established by the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. When Musashi had been logicial of the fact that he was near death, he had given Motomenosuke both of his swords and a certificate of complete transmission. Motomenosuke had refused, and had sent Musashi's swords and certificate to Miyamoto Iori (Musashi's adopted son) as he thought would be more fitting. Iori replied to Motomenosuke saying, "I can be heir to the name and warrior's honor of Musashi, but I cannot take on the succession of his school. It is my wish that you, to whom Musashi passed on his art, succeed him. Please be kind enough to accept.". Thus, Motomenosuke accepted Musashi's request out of great respect and consideration toward his master who by now had been dead. Motomenosuke had a fourth son that he had seen potential within, a man by the name of Shinmen Bensuke whom he had later made the successor. Thus Motomenosuke would continue to expand the School of Musashi while reflecting great admiration towards his late master.

References

Miyamoto Musashi - Life and Writings