From the book; 'Hakkei no hiden to gokui' 発勁の秘伝と極意
(The secrets and essence of explosive power)
by Kasao Kyōji & Tairakami Nobuyuki (1997)

本體
Hontai
The Original Body

Within the principles governing rest before action.

If one separates oneself solely into form, the opponent’s ki cannot be correctly obtained.

If one does not know one’s own principle, the opponent’s ki becomes still and severed.

When tranquil ki is attained, one gathers strength from it.

Weakness can penetrate strength; when weakness and strength are fully understood,

One may transform in a thousand myriad ways and there will be no enemy one cannot control.

This is the mysterious origin from which emptiness and fullness within are expressed.

Therefore, because this is the correct gateway of rest, it is called Hontai.

Yoshihiro Gōyūken

Takahashi Yōjin

Ninth Year of An’ei, Year of Kōshi

Eighth Month

Kōzen

Thus, this is the scroll of Kenji (?) Hontai.

It is hereby transmitted.

Fourth Year of Ka’ei, Year of the Rooster

Eighth Month

Kōzen

Takahashi Yōjin

Nakajima Chūjirō Tomo

Kitō-ryū “Hontai” no Oshie
The Teaching of “Hontai” in Kitō-ryū

According to the Kitō-ryū secret transmission scroll “Jōzu”, Hontai is clearly explained as the principles governing the body, and it also refers to the handling of ki. The photograph on the left shows Kanō Shihan teaching Happō Kuzushi.