In the late medieval period an idea came about that 'kagaku' was consequently upheld even when it was inherited, not by relatives, but by pupils who were committed to the doctrine with a view to giving priority to the inheritance of 'kagaku' itself, as represented as follows ("Fushikaden" [The Flowering Spirit] Besshi Kuden [a separate secret teaching] written by Zeami).
中世後期に入ると、下記（世阿弥『風姿花伝』別紙口伝）に代表されるように「家学」そのものの継承を優先として血縁者ではなくても教えに忠実な門人が継ぐ場合でも結果的には「家学」は守られるという考え方も生じた。