The Sword Scroll: Gunpo Heiho Ki: Kenjutsu no Maki

Yamamoto Kansuke was a 16th Century general under Takeda Shingen in the Warring States Period of Japan. This is a collection of four versions of a document attributed to him. Each of the four versions describe sword, spear and military tactics that are fully illustrated by different Edo Era artists. The text adds explanations on the underlying feeling fighting in each illustration. Long thought to be a fictional character, historical letters mentioning Yamamoto Kansuke and establishing him as a authentic historical figure are reproduced and translated. There are additional chapters highlighting techniques in Kansuke's book that also appears in the Chinese Bubishi military manual. Finally, some of the unusual weapons within the Bubishi are explained.