Cummins Antony, Minami Yoshie. Samurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare: The Collected Scrolls of Natori-Ryu

Watkins Publishing, 2018. — 424 p.Part of the acclaimed Book of Samurai series, which presents for the first time the translated scrolls of the historical Natori-Ryū samurai school of war, this volume offers an exceptional insight into the weaponry and armour of the samurai era, as well as tactical advice for use on and off the battlefield.Two secret scrolls by the samurai tactician Natori Sanjūrō Masazumi are presented here: Heieki Yōhō, which offers advice for every possible martial situation, from moving troops to besieging a castle to fighting on the open battlefield; and Heigu Yōhō, which explores samurai arms and armour in unparalleled detail. Illustrated with 130 line drawings of arms and armour, strategic diagrams and beautiful samples of Japanese calligraphy, this is essential reading for students of martial arts, warrior culture and the samurai path.This book was written by the seventeenth-century samurai tactician Natori Sanjūrō Masazumi, also known as Issui-sensei, who was to become the most influential grandmaster of the Natori-Ryū school of war. It gives us an unprecedented insight into what the samurai knew about their own specialization – armour and warfare. By listening to a genuine samurai, we can discover a huge amount about the thoughts, ideals, codes and even the feelings of this much admired, but often misunderstood, warrior class.Antony Cummins is an author, a historical researcher and the leader of the project to resurrect the samurai school of war Natori-Ryū. He is the founder of the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team, which has previously published The Book of Ninja and The Book of Samurai – Fundamental Samurai Teachings (Watkins). Antony also works as a consultant and co-presenter on high-end documentaries on Japan distributed by National Geographic, and is the Official Tourism Ambassador for Wakayama. He has been recognized by peers as a leading expert in the discovery of military arts of medieval Japan.
Yoshie Minami was born in Tokyo and has translated a number of books on samurai and ninja Japan. She has previously worked with Antony Cummins on The Book of Samurai – Fundamental Samurai Teachings and The Book of Ninja.