There was once a samurai who wielded a spear stained red with blood— Serving the Tokugawa clan since the days of Ieyasu’s grandfather, Kiyoyasu, Nobumasa Nagasaka fought so fiercely in every battle that the shaft of his spear would be dyed crimson. His valor earned him the name “Chiyari Kuro”—Kuro the Blood Spear. From then on, the Nagasaka family carried the proud title of “Chiyari” throughout the Tokugawa era. This book is a historical journey by the author, a direct descendant of that legendary warrior, tracing the family’s 400-year lineage and the sites tied to their history. Though not famous daimyo or celebrated heroes, samurai like Nobumasa Nagasaka steadfastly supported the Tokugawa from the shadows. Through retracing their ancestor’s footsteps, the author brings to life the untold spirit of the Sengoku warriors—and the deep sense of romance that lies in exploring one’s roots.