JSA Book List

Bob Hubbard

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For recommending Top Quality books on Japanese swords and sword arts




Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Shihan M. Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman (Contributor)
Paperback: 268 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.77 x 9.19 x 7.41
Publisher: Frog Ltd; ISBN: 1883319188; (May 1995)


The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido
by Nicklaus SuinoPaperback: 264 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.68 x 9.98 x 7.04
Publisher: Weatherhill; ISBN: 0834803003; (June 1994)


Iai: The Art of Drawing the Sword
by Darrell Craig, Mark Hunter (Illustrator), Mary Schultz (Illustrator)
Paperback: ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.65 x 8.25 x 5.52
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co; ISBN: 0804870233; 4 edition (June 1991)


Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice
by Gordon Warner, Donn F. Draeger
Paperback: 312 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.74 x 10.01 x 7.29
Publisher: Weatherhill; ISBN: 0834802368; (April 1982)


The Heart of Kendo: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of the Art of the Sword
by Darrell Max Craig (Paperback - Dec 24, 2002)


Mugai Ryu: The Classical Japanese Art of Drawing the Sword
by Darrell Max Craig (Paperback - Jan 25, 2003)


Comprehensive Introduction To The Philosophy And Practice Of The Art Of The Sword
by Darrell Max Craig (Hardcover - 1999)


Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordmanship
by Leonard Pellman and Masayuki Shimabukuro (Paperback - Nov 27, 2007)



Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai
by Masaaki Hatsumi (Hardcover - Mar 1, 2006)
 

mrhnau

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Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Shihan M. Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman (Contributor)
Paperback: 268 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.77 x 9.19 x 7.41
Publisher: Frog Ltd; ISBN: 1883319188; (May 1995)

Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordmanship
by Leonard Pellman and Masayuki Shimabukuro (Paperback - Nov 27, 2007)

Any particular reason why two editions of the same book are mentioned? Why should I get both of them? Which one would you interpret as "better"?
 

Erik Tracy

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Any particular reason why two editions of the same book are mentioned? Why should I get both of them? Which one would you interpret as "better"?

The 2nd edition of "Flashing Steel" is still being finalized now and you can place *pre-orders* for it now. It has updated photos and some of the text has been re-written (mostly the latter section dealing with the techniques).

If you are primarily interested in the up-to-date version then get the 2nd edition coming soon - BUT you'll have to wait just a bit longer.

If you want to read it now - get the 1st Edition - now! :)

Regards,
Erik Tracy
Jikishin-Kai, Intl.
 

pgsmith

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My two cents on Flashing Steel ... If you are a student of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaijutsu under the Jikishin-Kai, then you should probably wait for the new edition and the updated descriptions and photos. If not, then I suggest simply purchasing the first edition as the thoughts and writings in it are very much worth reading for anyone interested in the Japanese sword arts. I re-read it every couple of years just because I like it!
 

jonpalombi

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Greetings All,
I would also recommend Naked Blade and Crimson Steel by Toshishiro Obata. Sadly, they are now out-of-print. More recently, he has written Shinkendo Japanese Swordsmanship and Shinkendo Tameshigiri.
My favorite JSA book ,recently, is Samurai Fighting Arts by Fumon Tanaka. It's loaded with fantastic photos. I highly recommend this fine publication.

Be well and practice often, Jon Palombi
 

shima

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I'd like to add this book to the list:


http://www.amazon.com/Iaido-Sword-K...-ebook/dp/B004A16HMA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
[h=1]Iaido Sword: Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu[/h]Richard Babin

Recently picked it up on my kindle/iPad and it's amazingly detailed on the descriptions of the katas. We do most of these katas in my Iaido class, but did not have it written down anywhere. We do have all our kenpo forms in our training manual, but we don't have the iaido forms written out. Well this book does and they are written out in excruciating detail. I love it. Now I have something to help when I'm practicing what we've done in class back at home beyond just my memory.
 

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