Kagi-nawa: Hooked Rope. A hook designed for grappling would be attached to the end of a hemp roap. Similar to ikari-kagi and used when you happen to have to scale a
rather large wall, to secure a boat, or for hanging up your armor. Kaginawa were also regularly
used during sieges of castles.
Kayaku-ire: Gunpowder Carrier. This carrier is made from a turtle shell. It is 4 1/2" long by 3" wide. Age of this item is unknown, though it appears to be very old. Second Row: Two more examples of gunpowder flasks both dating back to the Edo period.
Komonjo: Old Document. This document refers to Dokujutsu in regards to poison and a disguised pharmacy. This document was written around 1600. A translation will be provided in the near future.
Kozutsu: Hand Canon / Bazooka. The Kozutsu is a very rare item to find, the life expectancy of one is between one to three shots, then they are pretty much destroyed. This Kozutsu looks like it was shot once due to the charring in the lower barrel and the blackening of the ignition chamber as well as the cracking of the wood. The overall length is 28" and the outside diameter is 5". The inside barrel diameter is 3" and goes down 19" before reaching the ignition chamber. From the picture below you can see it is bored down to a smaller hole, beyond this is the ignition chamber. To light this area, you can see the hole on the side of the Kozutsu. The Kozutsu is wrapped tight to hopefully prevent the wood from coming apart and exploding in your hands. Age is estimated to be in the Edo Period.
Makibishi: (Tennen-bishi) Caltrop. This is a natural caltrop that was thrown on the ground to slow down pursuers. Not only was it readily available, but it was free.
Manriki-gusari: Weighted Chain. This weapon was very easy to conceal and could be used offensively or defensively. The Masaki Ryu had 300 kata for the manrikigusari. This manrikigusari is a total of 28" in length. The chain alone is 24" and the weights are 2 1/4". Each link is approximately 12 mm and the base of the weight is 1/2" square. Edo period.
Rodanshu: Scroll. The author of this scroll was Yamamoto Kansuke (1493-1561). Kansuke was well know as a Takeda Shingen Retainer. However, Fujibayashi Ke Yuisho (The Densho of the Iga Ninja Fujibayashi family) says, Fujibayashi Nagato was teaching Ninjutsu to Kansuke when Nagato was retainer of Imagawa Yoshimoto. So the belief is his knowledge in war and what he learned in Ninjutsu was passed on and influenced Iga Ninjutsu, Koshu Ninjutsu and Takeda Ninpo. This "Rodanshu" which he created is the Koshu Ryu Ninjutsu Densho created in the Makimono style which is over 15 feet long. The Koshuryu Ninja were members of Takeda Ningun (Suppa Ningun) and this was their most important Densho. While the original scroll belongs to Nawa Yumio, I am honored to have received a copy of this scroll. Below is a picture of Yamamoto Kansuke. History noted that he had a ugly appearance, one-eyed, handicapped fingers, and a crippled leg, but he was a specialist of battles.