Masaki Toshimitsu Dannoshin

(Serge Mol spells his name as Masaki Tarōdayū Dannoshin Toshiyoshi and gives 1689 as birth year.) This was because Dannoshin believed that the weapon contained the power and the ingenuity of 10,000 people. This weapon fighting style soon evolved into Masaki-ryū.

Dannoshin's style became popular because students had the capability to fight against various armed or unarmed opponents simultaneously. The weights of the chains also had the capability to confuse, as they whirled about, and stun an opponent with an accurate blow. When directed at the ankles of the opponent, the manriki-gusari could be used to pull the feet from under the target.