Easy gold and souls: 
Go to the road to the gold mine. Some of Nobunaga's
guards will be there. Kill them all, and they will 
drop some gold and some souls. Keep exiting the path
and go back into it repeatedly.

Easy Issen attacks: 
Move to your left or right for a thrust attack and 
press Square; move one step back for a slash attack 
and press Square; or use a timing attack on a 
rolling enemy.