The book treats the scrolls by argument rather than by section. This is the section list itself, for readers who want to see the shape of the original.
地 Earth — the way of the carpenter; the way as it applies to the individual; the nine precepts; comparison of the way of strategy with carpentry; the ordering of the whole.
水 Water — mental attitude; posture; the gaze; holding the long sword; footwork; the five guards; the way of the long sword; the five outer forms; existing guard and no guard; the one-timing strike; the two-part timing; the strike of no thought and no conception; the flowing-water strike; the continuous hit; the spark-stone hit; the autumn-leaf strike; the body in place of the sword; striking and hitting; the short-armed monkey body; the body of lacquer and glue; comparing heights; sticking; the body strike; the three parries; stabbing at the face; stabbing at the heart; the katotsu; the slapping parry; many opponents; the advantage in combat; the single strike; the direct position.
火 Fire — the ground; the three initiatives; holding down the pillow; crossing at a ford; knowing the situation; treading down the sword; knowing collapse; becoming the enemy; releasing four hands; moving the shade; suppressing the shade; transferring; irritating; frightening; merging; touching the corner; confusing; the three shouts; mingling; crushing; the mountain-sea change; knocking out the bottom; renewing; rat's head and ox's neck; the general knows the troops; releasing the hilt; the body of a rock.
風 Wind — schools with extra-long swords; schools with a strong sword; schools using short swords; schools with many techniques; schools that use guards; schools with a fixed gaze; schools with special footwork; schools that value speed; schools with inner and surface teachings.
空 Void — one section, unnamed, about six hundred characters.
Count the Fire scroll again. Twenty-seven named methods, and the number that describe a movement of a sword is close to none. It is not a fighting manual. It is a manual about the conditions under which fighting is decided.