This book, the first in a series of five, covers:

• An overview of Sasamori Junzo’s remarkable life and legacy.

• The history of Ittō-ryū, from its roots in the Chujo-ryu to the present day, to include a lineage chart of its mainline, branches, and factions.

• Details about the lives, adventures, and duels of Itō Ittōsai Kagehisa and his successor, Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki.

• A who’s-who of Japanese historical figures related to the school, including shoguns, samurai, sword masters, philosophers, strategists, statesmen, and other luminaries such as: Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Kanemaki Jisai, Obata Kagenori, Yamaga Soko, Yamaoka Tesshu, and others.

• Ono-ha Itto-ryu’s influence on the development of modern kendo.

• Historical records, correspondence, and notes documenting the lineage of the school, presented in English for the first time.

This book, the fourth in a series of five, covers:

• A detailed understanding of the four scrolls containing the “secrets” of the school that form its foundational philosophy and teachings, information not accessible to English speakers until now.

• The original text of each scroll with detailed explanations of each lesson based on the author’s extensive research and practical application.

• Dimensions and fittings for both the long and short swords used in the school.

• The author’s summary of the key points in the four basic scrolls distilled into ten lessons.

• Insight into how these lessons shaped the modern martial arts of kendo, Daito-ryū, and aikido, providing essential context which will enrich one’s practice in those disciplines.

Is Christianity compatible with the martial arts and the samurai code of Bushido?

The Reverend Takemi Sasamori, Methodist minister and founding pastor of the Komaba Eden Church in Tokyo, Japan, and inheritor of three ancient martial arts traditions, unequivocally answers: “Yes!”

In Bushido and Christianity, the Rev. Sasamori weaves together elements of Japanese history, lessons from the Bible, and his own personal experiences growing up in a samurai family to trace where bushido, the martial arts, and Christianity intersect and shows how following these ‘Ways’ can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Rev. Sasmori served for over forty years as a pastor and spent over seventy years training in traditional Japanese martial arts. He was regularly featured in the media in Japan and was a sought-after lecturer on the connection between bushido and Christianity worldwide. His life’s mission was to bridge the cultural divide between East and West.

Discover the Hidden Treasures of Japan’s Legendary School of Samurai Swordsmanship

Yabuki Yuji, the 18th Soke of Ono-ha Itto-ryu and Kendo 8th Dan, opens the secret vaults of the Reigakudo, the headquarters of the mainline school of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, and presents heretofore hidden swords, letters, calligraphy, and other treasures passed down from headmaster-to-headmaster within Japan’s most prestigious school of kenjutsu.

This groundbreaking book offers an exclusive glimpse into:

• Authentic Ono-ha Itto-ryu Licenses – see original documents at the core of this school of kenjutsu.

• Unearthed Letters – revelations from kendo icons Takano Sasaburo, Naito Takaharu, Ogawa Kinnosuke, Saimura Goro, and Sasamori Junzo, never before published.

• A Rare Muromachi Period Sword – a newly discovered short sword crafted by the legendary Kaneie swordsmiths.

• Masterpieces by Nigara Kunitoshi – a Living National Treasure and Mukansa swordsmith, whose craftsmanship transcends appraisal.

• The Secrets of Kenjutsu Practice – detailed insights into how these treasured swords are used in actual kenjutsu practice at the Reigakudo.

• Introduction to Shin Muso Hayashizaki-ryu – learn about the influential school that fathered many iaido styles in Japan.

• Itto-ryu Kendo’s Sixty-Six Moves for Certain Victory – techniques that Sasamori Junzo and Takano Sasaburo adapted from Itto-ryu for use in modern kendo.

Including over 50 stunning color photos, this book is a must-have for martial arts enthusiasts, sword collectors, and anyone fascinated by Japan’s rich warrior heritage.