An old adage goes you can't judge a book by its cover. However, you can always tell something about an author by its content. There can be no doubt that Samurai Swordsmanship by Masayuki Shimabukuro and Carl E. Long stands in a class of its own. For those fortunate enough to study with Long Kyoshi, his wisdom and superior technical competence shine through these pages in a clear reflection of teaching he, in turn, received from Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi, the 21st soshihan of the Masaoka line of Eishin-ryu.
Complimenting the Black Belt DVD series entitled, "Samurai Swordsmanship," this volume extends the discussion of Eishin-ryu Battojutsu, which began with the seminal work Flashing Steel by Shimabukuro Hanshi and Leonard J. Pellman, into the realms of Batto, Kenjutsu, and Tameshigiri. But it does more than that. The strengths of this well-organized book, and what sets it apart from many similar works on the same topic, are its holistic and philosophical approach along with an absolute insistence on Kihon (fundamentals) for training in swordsmanship.
An indication of how seriously the authors take the concept of Kihon is evidenced by the fact that they concentrate upon fundamentals for nearly one-half of the book. Students of Battojutsu will find especially helpful the photographs of both correct and incorrect technique. As beginners, the latter are common to all of us and, as is usually the case, we learn best from our mistakes. The second half of the book starts with the offensive and defensive application of these fundamental principles focusing upon target areas, as well as their necessary defensive response in a variety of blocks. The practical use of both offensive and defensive technique is then further developed in a presentation of Batto-Ho and Kumitachi (paired fencing) drills. The description and illustration of the Batto-Ho Waza is a welcome new addition to the literature on the Eishin-ryu system, thus completing the curriculum established in Flashing Steel.
As the authors comment, "Tameshigiri or suemonogiri are a popular and enjoyable component of the practice of traditional Japanese sword arts" and certainly no study is complete without covering the topic of cutting. Aside from being exhilarating, the authors also point out the spiritual nature of this practice, focusing a sense of presence, awareness, and reverence. Correct cutting technique, relying upon an alignment of both mind and body, would not be possible without a thorough understanding of the fundamentals. And thus, like an Enso, the book comes full circle.
Long Kyoshi once commented to me, "It is not possible to learn Iaido from a book." I certainly agree with his wisdom, but respectfully counter that this book comes close to doing just that. One closing word of advice to the reader, do not just look at the pictures, read the text, it is clear, concise, and a real treasure.
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About the author
Great for beginners
My Husbands friend who's s black belt in akido saw my husband's interests in Katanas, and pointed him to a few websites. His interests grew into wanting training of some sort. He found this highly rated book on my own by searching. And my Husband loves it and reads it wherever he goes. Definitely one of the many books you should purchase if you take this serious
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2011
- Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
My Husbands friend who's s black belt in akido saw my husband's interests in Katanas, and pointed him to a few websites. His interests grew into wanting training of some sort. He found this highly rated book on my own by searching. And my Husband loves it and reads it wherever he goes. Definitely one of the many books you should purchase if you take this serious
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2013
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- Pierre CoutetReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2025
Best Iaido book that i have purchased.
