Hikogoro once was nearly killed during a major fire; after this incident, and on the advice of Matsugoro INOUE, an older brother of Genzaburo INOUE, Hikogoro became a disciple of Tennen Rishin-ryu and started a Dojo in a corner of his house.
彦五郎は大火に乗じて命を狙われたことがあり、それを契機に井上源三郎の兄、井上松五郎の勧めで天然理心流に入門、自宅の一角に道場を開いていた。