01
Shinobi Esoteric Text
Skill Tree: Shinobi Arts
Earliest: Ashina Outskirts
Giver / Source
The Sculptor
Location
Dilapidated Temple
Unlock Trigger
Acquire 1 Skill Point (Fill Blue EXP Bar)
Tree Focus
Stealth, Aerial Deflection & Mikiri Counter
The Shinobi Esoteric Text is the first skill tree available in the game. It provides the absolute bedrock foundation of Sekiro's combat mechanics, movement repertoire, and stealth execution.
How to Unlock: Step-by-Step
- Defeat normal enemies in the Ashina Outskirts until your blue EXP bar fills completely, granting your first banked Skill Point.
- Rest at any Sculptor's Idol or use the Homeward Idol to return to the Dilapidated Temple.
- Speak to the Sculptor. He will remark on your combat growth and gift you the Shinobi Esoteric Text.
- Rest at the temple idol; the new option "Acquire Skills" is now permanently accessible across all idols in the game!
Standout Skills in this Tree:
Mikiri Counter
2 SP
The single most mandatory skill in the game. Step on incoming Perilous Thrust attacks to deal massive enemy posture damage.
Whirlwind Slash
1 SP
Fast 360-degree spinning slash. Deals chip damage through enemy guards and hits groups. Costs 0 Spirit Emblems.
Breath of Life: Light
5 SP
Latent Skill. Instantly restores Vitality upon landing any Deathblow. Vital for sustained mob clearing and long boss fights.
Shadowrush (Ultimate)
6 SP
Powerful charging long-range thrust that vaults you into the air on hit. Costs 2 Spirit Emblems. Unlocks Mushin Arts access.
02
Prosthetic Esoteric Text
Skill Tree: Prosthetic Arts
Earliest: Hirata Estate or Outskirts
Giver / Source
The Sculptor
Location
Dilapidated Temple
Unlock Trigger
Fit 3 Shinobi Prosthetic Tools
Tree Focus
Tool Combos, Mid-air Prosthetics & Weapon Buffs
The Prosthetic Esoteric Text unlocks aggressive attack chains that blend your mechanical arm with your Kusabimaru katana strikes, as well as essential Spirit Emblem capacity upgrades.
How to Unlock: Step-by-Step
- Find any 3 base Prosthetic Tools. The fastest early trio:
- Loaded Shuriken: Upper floor of gatehouse near Outskirts Wall - Gate Path idol.
- Robert's Firecrackers: Purchased from Crow's Bed Memorial Mob on the cliff near Outskirts Wall - Gate Path for 500 Sen.
- Flame Vent or Loaded Axe: Found in the bonfire or temple courtyard in Hirata Estate.
- Bring the materials to the Sculptor and choose "Fit Prosthetic Tool" for all 3.
- Immediately after fitting the third tool, speak to the Sculptor. He gives you the Prosthetic Esoteric Text.
Standout Skills in this Tree:
Chasing Slice
1 SP
Perform a lunging dash attack instantly after throwing a Shuriken, Spear, or Firecracker. Closes gaps immediately.
Mid-air Prosthetic Tool
3 SP
Allows deploying tools (Shuriken, Firecracker, Axe, Umbrella) while jumping in mid-air. Essential for advanced movement.
Projected Force
1 SP
Release stored energy from the Loaded Umbrella or Mist Raven as a heavy ranged shockwave slash.
Living Force (Ultimate)
4 SP
Imbues your sword with lingering fire (after Flame Vent) or divine purple energy (after Phoenix Umbrella) for bonus elemental damage.
03
Ashina Esoteric Text
Skill Tree: Ashina Arts
Earliest: Post-Gyoubu Oniwa
Giver / Source
Tengu of Ashina (Isshin in disguise)
Location
Building past Ashina Castle Gate
Unlock Trigger
Complete the "Rat Hunting" Quest
Tree Focus
Posture Destruction, Deflection Mastery & Ichimonji
The Ashina Esoteric Text contains the most cost-effective, posture-shredding sword techniques in the entire game, including the iconic Ichimonji: Double and passive deflection boosters.
How to Unlock: Step-by-Step
- Defeat the main boss Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa in the Ashina Castle Gate battlefield.
- Walk up the massive exterior stairs opposite the gate doors and enter the temple pagoda building.
- Talk to the tall masked NPC, Tengu of Ashina. Accept his contract to hunt down the "Rats" spying for the Ministry.
- Head back out to the Ashina Castle Gate Sculptor's Idol. Go through the gate and look right over the cliff wall into the tree courtyard.
- Kill the three small assassins wearing oversized straw hats (use the Loaded Axe to instantly shatter their bamboo shields).
- Return to Tengu and report your victory. He calls you a worthy shinobi and hands you the Ashina Esoteric Text.
Top Recommendation: Unlock Ascending Carp, Descending Carp, and Ichimonji: Double as early as possible. Ichimonji recovers your own posture while dealing heavy posture damage to bosses, requiring 0 Spirit Emblems!
Standout Skills in this Tree:
Ichimonji & Double
2 SP + 3 SP
Heavy overhead slam that stagger bosses, interrupts perilous attacks, deals immense posture damage, and fully resets your own posture bar.
Ascending / Descending Carp
2 SP + 1 SP
Latent Skills. Increases the posture damage dealt by your successful deflections and attacks landed immediately following deflections.
Flowing Water
3 SP
Latent Skill. Permanently reduces the amount of posture damage you receive from enemy sword attacks.
Ashina Cross (Ultimate)
5 SP
Draw-and-sheathe double lightning-fast iaijutsu strike. Deals heavy damage through guards. Costs 2 Spirit Emblems.
04
Senpou Esoteric Text
Skill Tree: Temple Arts
Earliest: Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo
Giver / Source
Lootable Physical World Item
Location
Hidden Pagoda near Main Hall Idol
Unlock Trigger
Explore Cave behind Senpou Main Hall
Tree Focus
Martial Arts Kicks, Candy Buff Duration & Item Farming
Unlike other skill texts provided directly by NPCs, the Senpou Esoteric Text is hidden inside an isolated cliffside pagoda shrine in Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo.
Exact Route Directions: Step-by-Step
- Fast travel to the Main Hall Sculptor's Idol in Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo (the large interior hall with praying monks).
- Face the idol altar and head out the side doorway to the right/back into the dark tunnel cave system.
- Drop down into the cavern path. Watch out for centipede crawlers along the flooded floor.
- Crouch under low stalactites and follow the cave path until you reach a vertical shaft with wall-kick markers.
- Wall-jump up and exit into the daylight on a secluded cliff overlooking the mountain vista.
- Grapple across the wooden posts to the isolated single-story pagoda shrine.
- Open the double doors. The glowing Senpou Esoteric Text rests upon the shrine pedestal inside.
Standout Skills in this Tree:
High Monk
4 SP (after Leaping Kicks)
The ultimate anti-sweep combat art. Leap into the air over sweep attacks, deliver a heavy downward axe-kick, and chain into 4 martial arts strikes.
Virtuous / Most Virtuous Deed
3 SP + 4 SP
Latent Skills. Stacking permanent increase to Sen drop quantities and rare item discovery chances from all enemies.
Devotion
3 SP
Latent Skill. Extends the active buff duration of all Sugars and Spiritfalls (Ako, Ungo, Yashariku, Gokan, Gachiin) by +50%.
Praying Strikes: Exorcism
3 SP
Rapid unarmed elbow strikes followed by a charged palm strike. Rapidly depletes posture and causes high stagger.
05
Mushin Esoteric Text
Skill Tree: Mushin Arts
Mid / Late Game
Giver / Source
Tengu of Ashina / Isshin Ashina / Emma
Prerequisite
Master ANY Ultimate Skill (Shadowrush, Living Force, Ashina Cross, or High Monk)
Skill Tree Cost
27 SP Total to Max
Tree Focus
Hybrid Mastery Arts (Shadowfall, Spiral Cloud, Empowered Mortal Draw)
The Mushin Esoteric Text represents the pinnacle of Ashina swordplay, fusing the mastery of different skill trees into high-impact Combat Arts that deal devastating guard-piercing damage.
Fast Paths to Unlock Mushin Arts (4 Ultimate Skills)
Prerequisite to receive Mushin Esoteric Text
To receive the Mushin Esoteric Text from Tengu of Ashina, Isshin Ashina, or Emma, you MUST master the final ultimate skill in at least one other skill tree. Here is the exact prerequisite purchase chain and minimum Skill Points required for each option:
High Monk (Fastest)
12 SP Min
Temple Arts Tree
Praying Strikes (2 SP)
→
Virtuous Deed (3 SP)
→
Senpou Leaping Kicks (3 SP)
→
High Monk (4 SP)
Minimum Points Needed:
12 Skill Points
Ashina Cross (Most Useful)
16 SP Total
Ashina Arts Tree
Ichimonji (2) + Ascending Carp (2)
→
Ichimonji: Double (3) + Descending Carp (1)
→
Flowing Water (3)
→
Ashina Cross (5 SP)
Total Tree Points:
16 Skill Points
Living Force
17 SP Min
Prosthetic Arts Tree
Chasing Slice (1) + Fang & Blade (3)
→
Grappling Attack (1) + Mid-air Tool (3) + Projected Force (1)
→
Emma's Medicine (4)
→
Living Force (4 SP)
Minimum Points Needed:
17 Skill Points
Shadowrush
22 SP Min
Shinobi Arts Tree
Mikiri (2) → Shinobi Eyes (3) → Breath of Life (5)
+
Whirlwind (1) → Suppress (2+3) → Vault (2)
→
Shadowrush (6 SP)
Minimum Points Needed:
22 Skill Points
How to Unlock & NPC Hand-off Locations
- Tengu at Great Serpent Shrine: After defeating Genichiro Ashina, Tengu moves to the Great Serpent Shrine idol (past the Ashina Castle rear courtyard). Speak to him while holding an ultimate skill, and he will give you the text.
- Alternative 1 (Isshin in Watchtower): If Tengu leaves before you get the text, speak to Isshin Ashina in his upper tower room across the rooftops.
- Alternative 2 (Emma Backup): If Isshin passes away during late-game story progression, Emma will give you the text or leave it by Isshin's futon.
The 3 Master Combat Arts in Mushin Tree:
Empowered Mortal Draw
5 SP
Allows charging the Mortal Blade slash. Unleashes an enormous sweeping wave of crimson energy with extreme posture/vitality damage. Requires Mortal Blade.
Shadowfall
6 SP
Upgrades Shadowrush with a powerful mid-air downward spinning plunging sword strike. Requires Shadowrush + High Monk.
Spiral Cloud Passage
9 SP
Combines Floating Passage with Ashina shockwaves. Unleashes 9 consecutive spinning slashes creating vacuum blades that slice through blocks. Requires Floating Passage + Ashina Cross.
Beyond the 5 main Esoteric Text skill trees, Sekiro features specific standalone text scrolls and latent techniques that unlock individual combat abilities without creating a new tree:
06
Floating Passage Text
Standalone Combat Art (5-Hit Rhythm Strike)
5 Carp Scales
Vendor
Pot Noble Harunaga
Location
Dragonspring River, Hirata Estate
Cost
5 Treasure Carp Scales
Significance
Prerequisite for Spiral Cloud Passage
Purchased from the mysterious merchant living in a pot along the right bank of the Hirata Estate starting river. Teaches the Floating Passage combat art (0 Spirit Emblems). If missed or if Harunaga's quest closes, it transfers to Pot Noble Koremori in Fountainhead Palace or the Dilapidated Temple Offering Box.
07
Anti-Air Deathblow Text
Shinobi Martial Art (Airborne Execution)
1,200 Sen
Vendor
Blackhat Badger
Location
Ashina Castle (Building with broken roof near Old Grave Idol)
Cost
1,200 Sen
Offering Box Backup
2,200 Sen (if Blackhat leaves)
Enables performing an instantaneous red Deathblow whenever an enemy leaps into the air. One-shots jumping Senpou monks, Fountainhead Okami soccer warriors, rooster enemies, and Shichimen Warriors (when buffed with Divine Confetti).
How many total Skill Points are needed to acquire all skills?
To unlock every single skill across all 5 skill trees (required for the "Height of Technique" Platinum Trophy / Achievement), you need a total of 125 Skill Points. It is strongly recommended to complete this in NG+ or NG+2 where late-game enemies yield massive amounts of EXP.
Do banked Skill Points get lost if I die?
No. Only the experience progress toward your NEXT skill point (the active blue bar) is halved upon death (unless saved by Unseen Aid). Once a skill point is banked (the number counter goes up), it is permanently locked in and can never be lost.
Can I use the Dragon's Tally Board or Dragon Mask to convert Skill Points?
The Dancing Dragon Mask allows you to spend 5 Skill Points to permanently increase your Attack Power by +1. Warning: If you are going for the Platinum Trophy / all skills achievement, do NOT use the mask early on, as every Skill Point increases future EXP requirements exponentially!
What is the best spot to farm Skill Points?
The best late-game farming location is the Ashina Outskirts - Stairway idol during the Ministry invasion (endgame). Grapple up to the tower and stealth backstab the 5 Ministry red guard riflemen and dual-blade warriors for massive rapid EXP and Sen.