SWORDDUELING.COM

Kamiizumi Nobutsuna was the founder of the Shinkage (New Shadow) Ryu (School/Style).

Yagyu Munenori inherieted it and became the sword instructor to the Shogunate, a position that was passed down with the Yagyu for some time. His major work is Heiho Kaden Sho.

Munenori’s son Yagyu “Jubei” Mitsuyoshi had an interesting enigmatic career and is a frequent hero in anime. He wrote Tsuki no Sho, and if anybody has a copy, please send one my way or let me know where I can get one.

From the Yagyu Ibun

“… In all martial arts, in all the performing arts and still more in all the forms of human behavior, a man’s postures or moves are based on the movement in his mind. In other words, the movement of the mind is expressed in the postures or moves he takes. Kage (shadow or yin-principle) of Kage-ryu indicates that one’s mind is invisible. The postures and moves are visible, and, therefore, are the yang principle. In the Kage style of swordsmanship, a swordsman reads his opponent’s minds through his postures or moves. More emphasis is, therefore, placed on penetrating the oppoents’ mind than on techniques.
What mind can penetrate his opponent’s mind? It is a mind that has beent rained and cultivated to the point of detachment with perfect freedom. It is as clear as a mirror that can reflect the motions within the human mind. Only with that kind of mind can a man respond accurately to the motions of his opponent’s mind and body.
In the art of fencing, a mind that moves aiming at victory is called kage while the motion on one’s body wielding the sword is called hi.
When one stands face to face with his opponents, his mind must not be revealed in the form of moves. Instead his mind should reflect his opponent’s mind like water reflecting the moon. Thus, he can win.”

I have some great stuff from David Lowry on the mikkyo aspects of Shinkage that’ll get up here someday.