The set demonstrates that Inagaki received his shihan from Tanikita.

On the Kyorei score in the collection (shown here) there are two hanko impressions. The top one reads Meian and the lower one Muchiku-An (think Tanikita Muchiku dojo). The significance is that Kyorei, Koku, and Mukaiji together comprise the three secret pieces of the Meian shakuhachi tradition. After their transmission to a student, one of these three pieces is used on the shihan test. After successful completion of the shihan, the student's copy of score chosen for the exam is stamped by the teacher.

Bill Schultz