Tsushima Keiichiro

Near the end of the shogunate in Japan, Katsura Shogoro and his fellow samurai from the southwestern domain of Choshu enter the dojo of Saito Yakuro, the famed Shindo Munen Ryu swordsmen of Renpeikan in Edo. Katsura is initially not welcomed by the other, senior dojo followers. Undeterred, he focuses on improving his skill not only in swordsmanship but also learning how to repel the foreign British and American ships that threaten their domain.

About Kenpuren Training Hall: The story is set in the Bakumatsu period. Katsura Kogoro and his passionate Choshu comrades raise the banner of "Shinto Munen-ryu" and join the dojo of Saito Yakuro, a renowned Edo swordsman leading 3,000 disciples. While some senior students have commendable qualities, certain undesirable habits disappoint Katsura. Nevertheless, he remains dedicated to mastering martial arts, practicing swordsmanship day and night while studying how to construct defenses against the Black Ships threatening the Shimonoseki Strait. Saito observes all this, and Katsura gradually stands out among the students...