‘Jujutsu Hottan - Fukuno Shichirouemon no den’ (date & author unknown - supplied by Tsukuba University, Kenkyo-jo and partially translatied by Dr. John Breen) mentions the following with regard to Ryōi Shintō-ryū founder - Fukuno’s character and physical aptitude in relation to martial arts:

“He was an intrepid character with his great strength he lifted mighty bronze pots, he took pleasure in learning the techniques of Nomi no Sukune.

Fukuno endured mental tortures and developed his physique, and after twenty years or so, he finally acquired mastery of Nomi no Sukune’s techniques. People spoke of him admiringly. He fights with great strength and battles with valour, with his technique, he defeats an opponent in merely a minute or two; his determination is to fight to the death; his techniques are correct: who could deny him victory”

Note - Nomi no Sukune (野見 宿禰)’ was a legendary character, who left his home in Izumo on the orders of Emperor Suinin (29 BC to AD 70) to do battle with the renowned fighter Taima no Kehaya (当麻蹴速). Nomi no Sukune defeated Taima and became Emperor Suinin’s personal servant. He is credited as the originator of both Sumo and Jūjutsu. To say that Fukuno learnt Nomi no Sukune’s techniques is possibly inaccurate and should perhaps be taken to mean that he learnt with the same spirit and followed the same arduous path in perfecting his techniques as Nomi no Sukune had.

The pictures below show a consistent feature of awareness with the rear hand raised from Nomi no Sukune - Nakamura Hansuke - James Shortt & Peter King.