Flashing Steel 25th Anniversary Edition

Revised and updated, the classic guide to the techniques, philosophy, and applications of iaijutsu--the art of self-defense with the Japanese sword. The 25th anniversary edition of the best-selling, highly acclaimed classic Flashing Steel introduces updated techniques, drills, and practices for students and practitioners of iaijutsu (or iaido). This complete essential resource on the Japanese sword arts expands on the two previous editions with additional practices, deep attention to foundational elements, and practical techniques--including 55 ways of deploying a samurai sword in self-defense. Expanded and revised, the memorial edition of Flashing Steel includes updates on promotion guidelines, tournaments, extended series of solo quick-draw exercises, and more, plus two added sets of solo techniques and three added sets of partner exercises to develop timing, distance control, angles of attack and defense, mental focus, and attitude. It provides a deep survey of fundamentals like training progression, preparation, etiquette, and proper sword nomenclature. Students will learn realistic defense and attack scenarios with wider applications to martial arts like kendo and aikido, while absorbing the philosophical tenets that inform and infuse the warrior's life with meaning and fulfillment. Organized into 23 chapters with black and white photographs throughout, this anniversary edition also includes an expanded history of iaijutsu, and an updated biography and tribute to the late Masayuki Shimabukuro, with personal anecdotes from the making of Flashing Steel that reveal his life and character.

Demonstrates and explains the history, construction, sword etiquette, basic targeting and mat cutting using the Samurai sword.

Grounded in a comprehensive overview of the philosophical and spiritual foundations that underlie karate, The Art of Killing emphasizes its original purpose: to kill an attacker swiftly and brutally. Prior to 1900, karate-dō was exclusively an art of unarmed self-defense. Its practice was designed for life-or-death situations--effectively, an art of killing. Here, authors Leonard Pellman and the late Masayuki Shimabukuro restore karate to its original intent. They move karate away from its popular modern-day sporting applications back to its deadly origins---and to the restraining philosophy of peace, self-sacrifice, compassion, and service to others that necessarily accompanied it. With chapters on kokoro (heart, mind, and spirit), ki (spirit and energy), and the seven major precepts of bushidō, The Art of Killing shows readers that the lethal art of karate is more than a method of bringing an enemy down--it’s a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in essential lessons to guard against abuses of power. This book does not contain detailed instruction in killing methods, but it does showcase the deadly power of karate--and explain why purity of intentions matters, and how compassion and respect are the essence of karate training. Readers will learn: The purpose and meaning of karate-dō The origins and major precepts of bushidō Training methods, preparation, and etiquette Fundamentals, spiritual power, training patterns, and analysis and application of kata About the body as a weapon

This comprehensive overview of karate connects the dots between its philosophical and spiritual foundations with its original purpose: to kill an attacker swiftly—and brutally. Prior to 1900, karate-dō was exclusively an art of unarmed self-defense. Its practice was designed for life-or-death situations—effectively, an art of killing. Here, authors Leonard Pellman and the late Masayuki Shimabukuro restore karate to its original intent. They move karate away from its popular modern-day sporting applications back to its deadly origins—and to the restraining philosophy of peace, self-sacrifice, compassion, and service to others that necessarily accompanied it. Readers will learn: • The purpose and meaning of karate-dō • The origins and major precepts of bushidō • Training methods, preparation, and etiquette • Fundamentals, spiritual power, training patterns, and analysis and application of kata • How to understand the body as a weapon With chapters on kokoro (heart, mind, and spirit), ki (spirit and energy), and the 7 major precepts of bushidō, The Art of Killing demonstrates how karate is more than a method of bringing an enemy down—it’s a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in essential lessons to guard against abuses of power. Together, the authors showcase how purity of intention matters, and how compassion and respect are the essence of karate training.

Fumio Demura covers stances, striking, blocking, combinations, sparring, and an entire bo kata.

Memorialized in countless books and movies, the history of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors is known all over the world. Who can forget these Japanese masters' skills with the sword? Today, samurai warriors no longer exist, but their legacy of swordsmanship endures. Now, the way of the samurai sword is learned in the martial arts Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. This book is the perfect introduction to using this beautiful and ancient weapon. In Mastering the Samurai Sword, you'll learn the sword's fascinating history, its evolution, and the philosophy behind its use. You'll also learn practical guidance for mastering the sword itself. Full-color, step-by-step photographs detail many of the most useful and famous samurai moves, including: drawing the samurai sword guard positions, cutting blows, and blocking falling and rolling techniques, and evasive strategies standing forms and kneeling forms All of the martial arts techniques discussed in the book are performed for readers in the downloadable material to help you perfect your form. Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swords people will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.

A translation of two books on the philosophy of the Itto School of Sword Fighting. 1. The Twelve Rules of the Sword2. The Sword Manual of Kanamaki JizaiThe first is attributed to Ito Ittosai the legendary swordsman of the 16th century. Ittosai travelled the country and fought the head students of 33 schools, winning every time. The second is a 16th century instruction manual attributed to Ittosai's teacher Kanamaki Jizai.

"This book is about a journey. A journey of perspective. We all go through life with our own perceptions and expectations based on our pasts, our experiences, and our beliefs. Beliefs of how things are or how they should be. We interpret experiences and assign meanings to them. Many times, the meanings we assign, and the perceptions we have based on them are very limited. We project our preconceived notions into situations which oftentimes keeps us from fully understanding or appreciating the opportunities we have at our fingertips. In this story you'll meet Spencer, a young man who thinks he knows how things are. But as you'll see, he's about to find out that there is so much more to people and their situations than what's on the surface."-from the Preface