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Title: Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Shihan M. Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman ISBN: 1-883319-18-8 Publisher: Frog Ltd Pub. Date: May, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 (20 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Something for everyone
Comment: This book has something for everybody interested in martial arts not just swordsmanship. If you want to learn the basic moves for sword drills or kata from a recognised and reputable school then you are more than adequately catered for with a full run-down of the core teachings of Eishin Ryu. The descriptions and the photographs are clear and well thought out. If you follow Eishin Ryu or its derivatives anyway, this section is informative and can add to your appreciation of your own style. The best thing is that this section is the least important of the book. The main part of the book gives you an insight into the deeper aspects of training properly in any art and it reinforces many of the lessons that my instructors have tried to teach me. Difficult ideas are explained succinctly and should be accessable to beginners as well as experienced martial artists. It is difficult to talk about philosophy and attitudes to life as well as training whilst remaining practical and relevant to people who live in the real world, but this book manages it.
To sum up this book made me want to train and hasn't made it back onto the bookshelf yet, I keep dipping into it. Buy this book and lend it to everyone you train with.
Rating: 5
Summary: A true work of ART....
Comment: Let me say that I have been enthralled by the world of martial arts and asian culture for years now. Obviously it was that interest that brought me to this book. I got what i was looking for and so much more. Even if i disregard my interest in martial arts i would have still learned much from this book.
First and foremost, let me comment on the techinal aspect, that being only a small portion of what truly makes the book shine. At its base, the book is an illustraive and descriptive guide of the forms (waza) of Eishin Ryu. All the forms from beginner on up to the most advanced are given. It is ripe with photographs and about as good as a book alone can do in teaching you forms. Each waza is illustrated step by step and the practical application (bunkai) is also given. Besides that, the book also teaches about proper sight, breathing, posture, bowing, etc. as well as sword nomenclature, cutting technique, a basic history of japan as it realtes to the samurai,
That being said the most valuable aspect of this book is this: the philosophies and general guidelines for living which are presented in this book are among the most concise, insightful, and useful i have ever seen. The authors do an excellent job of presenting eastern concepts in simple terms which effectivley communicate the nature of the concept, without dumbing it down too much. The tenets presented within the context of "how to fight well" later apply themselves to how to LIVE well. Never beore have i seen such a wonderful application of Martial arts/ Samurai philosphy to the art of perfecting and knowing yourself.
MOST importantly the authors have a firm grasp on the TRUE meaning and purpose of martial arts on a whole: Perfection of character. ALL martial arts at their base are meant for a venue not only of self defense and physical excercise but as a guide along a very personal journey: Perfecting your character and spirit so you can be not only the best martial artist you can be, but the best person you can be. I know this is a concept that is repeated ad nauseum, so much that it begins to sound corny even as i write it, but Flashing Steel really does a great job in teaching that martial arts can enrich every area of your life.
As a result this book has become the closest thing i have to a bible.... something i turn to when i need help finding guidance or when i have a question about my own growth, both within a martial art, and without. I feel hesitant to use the term bible because it implies religion and all the somtimes assoicated negative fanatacism. I don't want to give the impression that the book tells you it has all the answers, Rather it tells you waht questions you should be asking... questions that are important to the development of the whole character and that are personally important. Guidelines by which to live a fulfilling and worthwile life. Not religious... but spiritual.
All in all a wonderful book, even if you never plan to study Eishin Ryu or ANY martial art for that matter. A joy to read and in my opinion a must have for any martial artist.
Rating: 5
Summary: as intended
Comment: This book is set up as a teaching aide and not to teach the whole system. I use it as a reference manual to help support the teachings of my instructor. When used with proper instruction it is an invaluable tool for the sincere practioner. One should not expect to be able to learn the system from this book, but should expect to have lessons learned in class re-enforced.
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Title: The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido by Nicklaus Suino ISBN: 0834803003 Publisher: Weatherhill Pub. Date: June, 1994 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship: Iaido by Nicklaus Suino ISBN: 0834803399 Publisher: Weatherhill Pub. Date: October, 1995 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Bokken Art of the Japanese Sword by Dave Lowry, Mike Lee ISBN: 0897501047 Publisher: Black Belt Communications, Inc. Pub. Date: December, 1985 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Iaido Sword : Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu by Richard Babin ISBN: 1581603770 Publisher: Paladin Press Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
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Title: Kendo: The Definitive Guide by Hiroshi Ozawa, Angela Turzynski, Tamiko Yamaguchi, Angela Turzensky ISBN: 4770021194 Publisher: Kodansha International Pub. Date: June, 1997 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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