The Mishima family had a long tradition of being the domain's instructor of tsuzumi (drum) for generations but it was unsatisfactory for Michitsune, and he studied military science under Masaharu IJICHI as well as learning Jigenryu school (one of ancient kenjutsu (swordplay) styles passed down in Satsuma Domain and neighboring area).
三島家は代々藩の鼓指南役の家柄であったが、通庸は飽き足らずに示現流を学ぶとともに伊地知正治より兵学を学んだ。