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CompleteMartialArts.com - Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship


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Manufacturer: Frog Books
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 5.0/5Average rating of 5.0/5Average rating of 5.0/5Average rating of 5.0/5Average rating of 5.0/5

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.86
EAN: 9781883319182
ISBN: 1883319188
Label: Frog Books
Manufacturer: Frog Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 270
Publication Date: 1995-04-07
Publisher: Frog Books
Release Date: 1995-04-07
Studio: Frog Books

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Editorial Reviews:

This book is much more than an introductory guide to Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu. It manages to emphasize a melding of the Eastern philosophy and the technique of the art, in a marvelously eloquent yet concise manner. Flashing Steel describes and pictures forty-two kata (formal training patterns) which govern this system, with ten partner exercises applying iadid principles in realistic attack and defense systems. These kata are also widely practiced by students of kendo, aikido, and other martial arts which use swordsmanship.


Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: fascinating book for all martial arts enthusiasts
Comment: I am no expert whatsoever in Iaido, although I have taken classes in it as part of my training in Aikido; in my school of Aikido, Iaido is integrated with the Aikido.

The first 60 pages of the book covers the philosophy and ideology behind this martial style, at the time I did not know much of samurai ideology, which is very different from Aikido's, so it was very fascinating to read about it.

The rest of the book describes techniques of Eishin-Ryuu with text and pictures.

I wouldn't refer to it as an complete instructional book, you really need a teacher for learning any traditional martial art.
That said, if you already know some Iaido beforehand you could learn from this book, assuming you have the gear.

You will gain the most from this book if you actually take classes, or have taken classes, in Iaido...because sword training really should be experienced to feel the joy and mental depth of it, not just read about.



Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Excellent Reference For Iaijutsu!
Comment: This book is an excellent reference for anyone studying Iaijutsu! It does not however replace the proper instruction of a qualified Sensei. See www.jikishin-kai.com to find a qualified instructor in this style of Iaijutsu in your local area today!

NEWS FLASH!

Shimabukuro Sensei will teach a seminar in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu in Pensacola,FL on March 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The seminar will be held at the dojo (Big Green Drum Japanese Martial Arts.)


We will have more details up on our web site soon.
[...]

For more information about Shimabukuro Sensei, see [...]




Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Excellent Book on Iaido!
Comment: I recommend this as a reference for anyone interested in Iaido/Iaijutsu. One word of caution, though: there's many schools of Iaido, so some of the material presented herein will or will not apply to your particular school. However, the background and philosophy material are applicable throughout.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Excellent Book, BUT...
Comment: ...Let's face it everyone. You are not going to learn the kata from this book. The book is helpful for remembering them by Name and by Bunkai, helping you keep the cirriculum sorted out in your head, but to learn the kata correctly you will need instruction from a sensei. If there is no chance of instruction, like no dojo within a long distance, I recommend all you self-teachers purchase the MJER videos from the 'Sei Do Kai online catalog'. These are the best videos on MJER I've ever seen, with superbly detailed demonstrations and bunkai. Without the demonstrations and descriptions by a teacher on a video like that, you have no hope of gaining even mediocre mastery of the system without personal instruction.

For those who are recieving instruction the book is perfect, since the kata descriptions are mostly for reflection after being taught firsthand. As mentioned by the other reviewers, the best aspects of Flashing Steel are the Philosophy section and the Kihon. These will help you learn the purpose and fundamentals of Iaijutsu, but for the kata, this or any other book will always be insufficient on their own.

I give the book five stars because it is definitely a great read and reference, but don't buy this thinking it is all you need to master Iaijutsu. Too many people make that mistake. Just look at YouTube.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Good book for those who search details about all Iaido Katas
Comment: A well written book with good hints for those who are well qualified in Iaido and just need some very details about the Katas. The book covers all levels and all major Katas. Probably due to size limitations the number of pictures are less than enough to follow in detail the actions. The posing helping staff in the pictures are beginners which greatly hinder the understanding of the real meaning of the bunkai (applications).


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