Kamiizumi Nobutsuna

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Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami Nobutsuna (上泉伊勢守信綱)
Born	c. 1508
Died	1578 Natural causes
Other names	Kamiizumi Hidetsuna
Martial art practiced	Kenjutsu
Teacher(s)	Unknown
Notable students	Yagyū Muneyoshi

Kamiizumi Ise-no-kami Nobutsuna (上泉伊勢守信綱, c. 1508 – 1578) was a famous swordsman of Japan's Sengoku period and teacher to Yagyū Muneyoshi. Nobutsuna was previously known as Kamiizumi Hidetsuna. Nobutsuna's father was the commander of the Kamiizumi castle and made sure that his son would receive the greatest of training in the art of bujutsu (martial arts). Nobutsuna became known from then on as the master of the spear and sword. Early throughout the career of Nobutsuna, he repaid his debt in honor to the lord of Minowa castle, which was under attack by the famous warlord of Kai province, Takeda Shingen. Shingen soon became frustrated with how long the siege was taking, and led an all out assault. After the castle was finally taken, the only region left was that which Nobutsuna was protecting. Shingen was so impressed by Hidetsuna that he wished for his name to be changed to Nobutsuna. This name would tie Nobutsuna to the house of general, along with commanding him immense respect throughout the Takeda clan.

Nobutsuna declined the offer and requested to set out on a musha shugyō (a warrior pilgrimage). A certain very famous event occurred in which Nobutsuna saved a young child who at the time was being held hostage in a certain house by a bandit. Nobutsuna did so by first shaving his head and dressing himself up as a priest. Nobutsuna followed in offering some rice balls to the bandit, and slew him when he was busy eating the food. A re-creation of this can be seen in the famous film Seven Samurai.

Many throughout Japan were impressed by the skill of Nobutsuna, and he was even called to perform for Emperor Ōgimachi (in which was a very rare honor). The emperor was impressed to the extent of ranking Nobutsuna to being ranked as that of a nobleman. Following this a certain monk set for Nobutsuna to duel that of Yagyū Muneyoshi. However, Muneyoshi became very upset when hearing that Nobutsuna sent his nephew, Hikita Bungoro in his place. Throughout the course of the duel, Bungoro struck Muneyoshi several times with his fukuro shinai which was the first time ever seen happen in attendance. Nobutsuna then came himself and was about to duel Muneyoshi, until Muneyoshi prostrated himself to become a student under Nobutsuna. Nobutsuna agreed towards this, and the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū fighting style was born through this.