Antony CumminsSamurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare: The Collected Scrolls of Natori-Ryu (Book of Samurai)

The Book of Samurai is now bigger and better as this second volume builds upon the first and we begin to see the 'Book of Samurai Series' emerge! This book continues where the previous volume left off in that it contains genuine samurai teachings written by an actual samurai! Like it's predecessor in this series, volume 2 contains (for the first time in the English language) translations of two scrolls originally written by 17th century samurai and master tactician Natori Sanjuro Masazumi. What better way to learn about the armour and weapons of the samurai than from an actual samurai?!!! But this book does not stop there; while you will find detailed descriptions of not only weapons and armour in this book (right down to the symbolism and significance they held for the samurai of old), but you will also discover pragmatic advice on how armour, weapons, and the very samurai soldiers themselves should effectively be ustilized in wartime operations (of the historical period for which they were written; although unsurprisingly many still hold relevance today!). The wide ranging public interest in the mysterious historical figure of the shinobi will also be sated (or perhaps further whetted) by this book, which introduces (for the first time [chronologically] in the writings of Natori Masazumi) insights into the elusive tradecraft of these ever popular historical figures.While I am of the personal opinion that this book is most cohesive and that a better and more complete umderstanding is gained through studying this volume in tandem with it's predecessor in this series; it is certainly filled with enough richness and clarity of content to stand alone in its own right! This book has many praiseworthy elements from it's sleek aesthetic jacket, and hardbound presentation (a personal preference as a mark of distinction for all good books), to it's historical value in allowing the voice of the samurai of the past to once again find an audience with the world of the present (and future)! In short, whether you are an amatuer, professional, or armchair historian, a fan of samurai history, or of Japanese culture and/or military history, this book is one that no student, scholar, fan, aficionado, or academic should be without!

The Book of Samurai series by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami is an essential read for anyone interested in historical samurai and shinobi (ninja). This is not an uninformed book of fantasy or made up "facts" that reimagines the historical methods used by the samurai and ninja. The series of books are English translations of over 10 scrolls written by samurai and shinobi teacher, Natori Masazumi in the 1600s. Natori Masazumi saw the ending of the samurai era and decided to record the teachings from the Natori Ryu, school of samurai and ninja warfare. These are the words that were written down in the 1600s.The first book, The Book of Samurai: Fundamental Teachings (https://www.amazon.com/gp/f.html?C=2KVQPKQSS2V7N&M=urn:rtn:msg:20181031182427ded7c0df384c43f0b478dee91db0p0na&R=XGHXY0C6UAO6&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com%2FBook-Samurai-One-Fundamental-Teachings%2Fdp%2F1780288883%2Fref%3Dcm_sw_em_r_dp_dz_v_U_ImF2BbC1B6ATJ_tt&H=H9IK4QUL3JIYEKNGXPQUZD4XJLOA) covers the basic teachings a samurai needs to know as an individual. This first book includes the scrolls Heika Jodan no Maki and Ippei Yoko.Heika Jodan teaches you about everyday life of the samurai and their family. It includes articles about:- times of peace- houses- travel- nighttime- emergencies- striking- revenge- accusations- strength in warThe second scrolls, Ippei Yoko, teaches you about being an independent samurai. It includes articles about:- types of samurai- weapons- equipment- servants- how a samurai gets paid (don't lose your head over this section)- castle design- military terms- mysticism- armor- horses- food- water- shelter- how to attack- military travel.Book One really should be your starting point in learning what the samurai were taught.Book Two, The Book of Samurai: Samurai Arms, Armor, and the Tactics of Warfare, covers information on how the samurai and shinobi fit into an army. Book Two lends itself to having diagrams illustrating details about samurai armor, weapons, equipment, and strategy. It also is composed of two scrolls, Heigu Yoho and Heieki YohoHeieki Yoho teaches you about your duties in the military and includes articles about:- military leadership- estimating the number of soldiers- troop formations- military attack- use of thieves- castle construction- castle siege- hostages- military structure- military punishment- communications- logistics- military intelligence- battle camps- shinobi (ninja)- doctorsHeigu Yoho teaches you about military tools and includes articles about:- armor- military tools- weapons- war bannersBoth book one and book two are valuable assets to anyone interested in learning what the samurai and ninja were trained, directly from the words of their teachers. The Book of Samurai series will continue to grow as more and more scrolls get translated. In the end, this series will be a complete collection of samurai and ninja school. Another scroll in this series, not yet included under the title of The Book of Samurai is the Shoninki. The Shoninki scroll by Natori Masazumi is dedicated to the tools and skills of the ninja and has also been translated by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami, under the title True Path of the Ninja (https://www.amazon.com/gp/f.html?C=2KVQPKQSS2V7N&M=urn:rtn:msg:201810311946193b35f2544173444a93742f370480p0na&R=2FRCIJBV2NCO9&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com%2FTrue-Path-Ninja-Definitive-Translation-ebook%2Fdp%2FB005CVV1Q4%2Fref%3Dcm_sw_em_r_dp_dz_v_U_zzG2BbX9MEV0X_tt&H=1WZB2ZHI2ZZJTJJSO4OVK3YZMEQA). I highly recommend getting the True Path of the Ninja, along with the two Books of Samurai in order to help complete your set of all of the Natori Ryu scrolls that have been translated and published thus far.

Wow, Antony has done it again! While the first book focused more on the life of a Samurai as an individual, this one looks more at his role as a warrior and part of an army. The illustrations are beautiful, and the translation of the scrolls is easy to understand and follow. This is great for the Natori student who wants to truly understand the warrior strategies, tactics, and armor for practice with other aficionados. Cummins has done a fantastic job of bringing us these translations and reviving Natori Ryu for those who love Japanese martial arts and culture, as well as the true history of the samurai and how they lived, fought, and died. Another bang up job!