Episode 19: The Bansenshukai

The Bansenshukai is a compilation of ninja techniques from 49 Iga and Koka ninja schools. It covers everything from ninja principles to various ninja techniques and tools. However, the ninja passed it on from master to apprentice with the utmost secrecy. So how did it come to see the light of day? It turns out that it was due to an unfortunate event involving ninja during the Edo period. We examine this event and also get television's first look at scrolls said to be the oldest extant copy of the Bansenshukai.

The master would pass on the Bansenshukai to his top apprentice, and there were strict rules governing the process
An unfortunate event led to the revelation of the Bansenshukai's contents
Scrolls said to be the oldest extant copy of the Bansenshukai are shown on TV for the first time

Transcript