Flashing Steel, Second Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Leonard Pellman, Masayuki ShimabukuroEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-15
ISBN: 1583941975
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Book Reviews of Flashing Steel, Second Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
Book Review: Excellent Beginner to Intermediate Level Iaijutsu
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a lot of great stuff in Flashing Steel, but there are also a few things to consider before purchasing. The back cover claims, "Flashing Steel is the most comprehensive guide available in iaijutsu...." when in fact its not. It also says, "...with ten partner exercises applying iaido principles in realistic attack and defense situations." I personally wouldn't say they are realistic at all. All that aside, the book is really geared towards beginner to intermediate iaido practitioners and here it delivers.
If you are unfamiliar with Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu, it is a sword art that places tremendous emphasis on attention to detail and precision for mental and spiritual discipline. In fact, this book makes a point of clearly stating the art is not geared toward combat but rather on self-cultivation.
"The fact that you will probably never engage in a real sword battle may, paradoxically, be the greatest benefit of sword training! Those who train in martial arts that have obvious practical application...too often find themselves so involved in developing skill in the physical self-defense applications of their art that they overlook their mental and spiritual training." (p11)
This statement is both very honest and very accurate. The book continues, "...as a martial art that is highly ritualized, moderately paced, and without obvious street-application, iaijutsu provides an ideal environment in which to refine mental and spiritual discipline." Heijoshin is difficult to translate but is roughly equivalent to a 'serene yet fully alert state of mind'. This is the goal of this art.
As to the techniques and 42-katas shown, they are very basic and pretty much use the same Nukitsuke (drawing cut), Chiburi (blood removal), and the same Noto (resheathing). To be fair he briefly demonstrates the Chiburi/Noto variation preferred by Katori Shinto Ryu (and myself) but he does not use this in his kata. There is a decent but still slightly lacking description on Kokyu (breath control) and the waza (techniques) are shown from both seiza (kneeling posture) and kamae (stance). The two-man sequences take up a lot of space and the only real value to them from my perspective is to illustrate range, which could have been done with greater economy had that been the author's intention.
Beginners may have some trouble following the b/w sequence images for the waza as there are brief actions missing that may not be understood, but as far as martial art books go its not too bad here. I love iaido, but in practice if you are seeking spiritual development, less than a decade of diligent Ashtanga yoga will accomplish more than a lifetime of iaido.
Unfortunately the Search Inside feature is not up. The table of contents include:
1) History p1
2) Philosophy p11
3) Eyes of a Samurai p31
4) Sword Nomenclature p47
5) Progression of Training p51
6) Preparation & Etiquette p63
7) Fundamentals p85
8) Omori-ryu Seiza Waza p123
9) Chuden Tatehiza (crouching) Waza p151
10) Okuden Tatehiza Waza p175
11) Okuden Suwariwaza p209
12) Tachiuchi (standing) no Kurai p223
13) Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iai Kata p253
14) Tameshigiri (cutting) p223
15) Summary of Eishin-ryu p299
16) Promotion Guidelines p303
17) Tournament Participation p309
18) The Way to Victorious Life p317
App A: Samurai no Kokoro-e p333
App B: Supplemental Materials
The author has the correct positive martial message, and I was continually impressed by this fact. If you are studying Eishin-ryu or plan to in the future, this is an essential guide.
Summary of Flashing Steel, Second Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
Flashing Steel, the best-selling and highly acclaimed book on iaijutsu (alternatively called iaido), is as much about bringing life into focus as it is about techniques of swordsmanship. Iaijutsu was the martial art of the samurai of feudal Japan who remain the most enduring of warrior icons, equally popular in the East and the West. Iaijutsu sword training has philosophical tenets that inform the warrior?s life, building compassion and self-discipline both inside and outside the dojo.Shimabukuro Shihan and Pellman Sensei combine practical exercises, photographs, and historical and cultural context in a thoughtful guide to this most popular of Japanese sword arts. The book features Master Masayuki Shimabukuro?s renowned expertise and classical training, with Leonard Pellman adapting the information for a Western audience. Included here are dozens of kata (formal training patterns) that govern iaijutsu, with partner exercises applying the principles of the art in realistic attack and defense situations. These kata are also widely practiced by students of kendo, aikido, and other sword-based martial arts, giving the book a wider relevance beyond iaijutsu. This second edition of Flashing Steel includes new techniques, updated photographs, and theoretical explanations for both new and existing sword forms.
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