Scroll shows sword-wielding skill license given to historical hero

Scroll shows sword-wielding skill license given to historical hero

KYOTO, Nov. 12 Kyodo - Photo taken in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 7, 2015, shows a scroll certifying the skill in wielding a "naginata" long-handled sword given to historical hero Sakamoto Ryoma in the waning years of the Edo period (1603-1867). The name of his lover, Chiba Sana, is among a list of names that also includes Chiba Shusaku, founder of the Hokushin Ittoryu school of swordsmanship.

Great Bear star sign in swordsmanship license for historical hero

Great Bear star sign in swordsmanship license for historical hero

Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2015, shows a Great Bear star sign inscribed in a scroll certifying the skill in wielding a "naginata" long-handled sword given to historical hero Sakamoto Ryoma in the waning years of the Edo period (1603-1867). The scroll lists the names of several related people, including his lover Chiba Sana and Chiba Shusaku, founder of the Hokushin Ittoryu school of swordsmanship. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Youths from disaster-hit Iwate invited to Russia

Youths from disaster-hit Iwate invited to Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Naoya Niisato (2nd from L in front), a third-year student of Kamaishi Junior High School in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, speaks at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on Aug. 17, 2011. Twenty-eight members of kendo swordsmanship clubs at a junior high school and a university in disaster-hit Iwate Prefecture paid a courtesy visit to the ministry during their trip to Moscow and Krasnoyarsk from Aug. 16 to 22. The trip was realized after an invitation was issued after a proposal by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's wife, Svetlana. (Kyodo)