Finding the best swordsmanship books suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
![Samurai Sword: Spirit * Strategy * Techniques: [DVD INCLUDED]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518OHIjQW2L.jpg)
Reviews
1. Samurai Swordsmanship: The Batto, Kenjutsu, and Tameshigiri of Eishin-Ryu
Description
Describing the principles and techniques that define Japans most popular style of swordsmanship, this martial arts manual gives practitioners master-level instruction. This book is a collection of the most effective and proven fighting methods spanning from the feudal to the modern eras. It illuminates the art with masterful photography and is accompanied by in-depth descriptions of the methods perfected by Japans ancient warrior class. Providing instruction on the etiquette, fundamental footwork, striking, countering, defensive tactics, test cutting, maintenance, and safety needed for proficiency in authentic swordsmanship, this expert guide transports martial arts practitioners beyond mere physical technique and opens the door to self-mastery through the use of the samurai sword.
2. The Complete Book of Five Rings
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The Complete Book of Five RingsDescription
The Complete Book of Five Rings is an authoritative version of Musashis classic The Book of Five Rings, translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu. Tokitsu has spent most of his life researching the legendary samurai swordsman and his works, and in this book he illuminates this seminal text, along with several other works by Musashi. These include The Mirror of the Way of Strategy, which Musashi wrote when he was in his twenties; Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy, and Forty-two Instructions on Strategy, which were precursors to The Book of Five Rings; and The Way to Be Followed Alone, which Musashi wrote just days before his death. Read together, these five texts give readers an unusually detailed, nuanced view of Musashis ideas on swordsmanship, strategy, and self-cultivation.Tokitsu puts all these writings into historical and philosophical context and makes them accessible and relevant to todays readers and martial arts students. Tokitsu understands Musashis writingsand Musashi as a martial artistunusually well and is able to provide a rare insight into the man and his historical contribution.
3. Flashing Steel, Second Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
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Flashing Steel Mastering Eishin Ryu SwordmanshipDescription
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 warriors 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 Shimabukuros 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.
4. Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
Description
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.5. The Swordsman's Companion
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Used Book in Good ConditionDescription
A complete beginner's guide to training in medieval Italian longsword. This book covers everything from choosing a sword, to warming up, to fencing. Full of set drills and clear descriptions, this book has been the standard work on the subject since it first came out in 2004. As a technical manual it has been largely superceded byThe Medieval Longsword, which came out in 2014, but it is unsurpassed as a general guide to how and why you should train swordsmanship.
6. Samurai Sword: Spirit * Strategy * Techniques: [DVD INCLUDED]
Description
The Samurai Sword is the essential illustrated guide to the Japanese way of the sword.Japan's famous samurai warriors were more than just soldiers they were adherents to a strict code of honor who respected the deeper, spiritual meaning of the way of the sword. To the samurai, battle was sacred.
This indispensable guide to theory and practice respects both the physical and spiritual aspects of martial arts practice with the katana. This sword book features:
- Beautiful, step-by-step photos and easy-to-understand text
- Guidance for selecting, maintaining, and using your sword
- Wisdom about the practical value of meditation
- Inspirational biographies of some of the greatest samurai swordsmen, men whose words and deeds embodied the true spirit of the samurai warrior
Author Kohshyu Yoshida was born and raised in Chiba, Japan. The great-grandson of a ronin samurai warrior, he has studied martial arts from all over the world and now teaches martial arts in Los Angeles, CA. He has appeared in Hollywood films including Blade and The Last Samurai. He also starred as the Red Ranger in the international hit television show Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.
7. Kendo: A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Swordsmanship
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Kendo A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese SwordsmanshipDescription
Master the art of KendoJapanese Swordsmanship with this illustrated and comprehensive martial arts guide.Kendo or the "Way of the Sword" holds a special place within the martial arts as one of the few practices tracing back directly to Japan's ancient samurai heritage. Modern students flock to kendo for physicallyand mentallychallenging activity that combines traditional martial arts values with strenuous physical activity.
Author Geoff Salmon has over 40 years of kendo experience gained in and outside of Japan. His goal in this kendo guide is to dispel many misconceptions about the sport and to make kendo training accessible and practical for anyone. His simple, straightforward writing style is especially helpful for beginning students and martial artists from other disciplines who wish to add kendo training to their repertoire.
The core of this kendo book is a series of detailed instructional sequences demonstrating the basic kendo techniques. The author also presents the fundamental principles and philosophy that make kendo as much an exercise of the mind as of the sword. For many adherents, the goal is to train your mind to achieve a state of mushin (no-mind). Beyond that, this book also shows you how to win competitions and integrate kendo into your fitness routines.
This is the first book to decidedly link the philosophical and mental elements of kendo to the physical techniques, thereby enabling readers to gain a holistic understanding of the martial art. It offers a comprehensive training program similar to those given by leading kendo teachers in Japan, past and present.
8. The Book of Five Rings
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The Book of Five RingsDescription
When the undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi retreated to a cave in 1643 and wrote The Book of Five Rings, a manifesto on swordsmanship, strategy, and winning for his students and generations of samurai to come, he created one of the most perceptive and incisive texts on strategic thinking ever to come from Asia.Musashi gives timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant that will resonate with both martial artists and everyone else interested in skillfully dealing with conflict. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was a mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowessand it is this path to mastery that is the core teaching in The Book of Five Rings.
William Scott Wilsons translation is faithful to the original seventeenth-century Japanese text while being wonderfully clear and readable. His scholarship and insight into the deep meaning of this classic are evident in his introduction and notes to the text. This edition also includes a translation of one of Musashis earlier writings, The Way of Walking Alone, and calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.
9. The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword
Description
The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.
10. Old Sword Play: Techniques of the Great Masters (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor)
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Old Sword Play Techniques of the Great Masters Dover Military History Weapons ArmorDescription
Anyone interested in historical weapons or the art of fencing will want to own this classic study of swordsmanship in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. Written in the late nineteenth century by a British officer, antiquarian, and noted scholar of the sword, the work was intended to provide military men with essential training in the art and science of fencing.
Drawing upon the methods used by master swordsmen over three centuries, Hutton presented the tactics of the ancient masters in a form comprehensible to swordsmen of his own day. His extensive, detailed instructions cover the use of the two-hand sword, rapier and dagger, broadsword and buckler, rapier and cloak, and dagger and cloak.
Complemented by nearly 60 illustrations, including instructive diagrams and rare woodcuts of classic fencing positions, this excellent introduction and its valuable information will be welcomed by scholars, theatrical directors, and sword-play enthusiasts alike. The book will also appeal to general audiences and anyone interested in an ancient form of self-defense still regarded by many as an art form and recreational pursuit.
Drawing upon the methods used by master swordsmen over three centuries, Hutton presented the tactics of the ancient masters in a form comprehensible to swordsmen of his own day. His extensive, detailed instructions cover the use of the two-hand sword, rapier and dagger, broadsword and buckler, rapier and cloak, and dagger and cloak.
Complemented by nearly 60 illustrations, including instructive diagrams and rare woodcuts of classic fencing positions, this excellent introduction and its valuable information will be welcomed by scholars, theatrical directors, and sword-play enthusiasts alike. The book will also appeal to general audiences and anyone interested in an ancient form of self-defense still regarded by many as an art form and recreational pursuit.
11. Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship
Description
To become an expert swordsman, one must pay close attention to detail, be highly self-critical, and practice diligently every day under the guidance of a good teacher. Unfortunately, contact time with a worthy mentor is limited for most. Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship fills this obvious gap in the training of the modern swordsman by providing bokuto (wooden sword) drills to supplement the formal class activity of forms practice. Both single and two-person drills are presented, some common to iaido and kenjutsu, others extracted from iaido forms by the author and used to teach his own students the proper ways of drawing, parrying, and cutting. Each drill is illustrated with step-by-step drawings to help students hone their techniques; together they provide a comprehensive system of general skills development for anyone interested in using the Japanese sword.12. Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques
Description
From the author of Renaissance Swordsmanship comes the most comprehensive and historically accurate view ever of the lost fighting arts of Medieval knights, warriors and men-at-arms. Based on years of extensive training and research in the use of European swords, it contains highly effective fighting techniques for the sword, sword & shield, long-sword, great-sword, pole-arm and more. And with more than 200 illustrations and rare historical documents, it is a scholarly reference as well as a hands-on training guide for martial artists of all levels.13. Renaissance Swordsmanship: The Illustrated Book Of Rapiers And Cut And Thrust Swords And Their Use
Description
This is the most thorough work ever about historical swordsmanship. It is both a general reference and an instructional guide for advanced and beginning sword enthusiasts, students of military history and martial artists. Includes rare historical info and 100 original drawings.14. Irish Swordsmanship: Fencing and Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland
Description
During the eighteenth century, Ireland was Europes wild west, where the sword was the constant companion of every gentleman, soldier, and rogue. Here, in the dimly lit rooms of Dublins popular coffee and chocolate houses, among its public parks and cloistered back yards, fearsome duelists such as George Robert Fighting Fitzgerald, Alexander Buck English, and Captain David Tyger Roche fought for life and honor with the sword and pistol. Here, countless swordsmencolorfully dressed in ruffled silkstained the ground of St Stephens Green with blood, and celebrated their survival over glasses of cherry brandy. This is the story of eighteenth century Irelands sword cultureof its renowned fencing schools, its famed swordsmen, its female gladiators, and its notorious armed gangs such as the Bucks, Cherokees, and Pinking Dindies, who terrorized the people of Dublin with the small-sword, knife, falchion, and shillelagh, and engaged in vicious battles with members of the citys Night Watch.Here, also, is the story of Irelands most celebrated fencing society, the Knights of Tarawhose grand fencing exhibitions won fame and glory for Ireland, whose writings on bayonet fencing found their way into the hands of Americas founding father, George Washington, and whose leading member would go on to have an indelible impact upon the history of fencing in the British Isles.
PART TWO of this book containsA Few Mathematical and Critical Remarks on the Swordan almost completely overlooked fencing treatise, now published again for the first time in more than 230 years, that is currently the only known original treatment of swordsmanship by an Irish author published in Ireland during the eighteenth century. Though anonymously authored, research suggests that this mysterious textthe publication of which directly led to the formation of the Knights of Taramay be the work of Cornelius Kelly, Irelands most renowned fencing master. Compiled throughout the 1770s and published in Dublin in 1781, this treatise is by no means a beginners manual, but is an extensive discussion and elucidation on the technique, form, philosophy, psychology, morality, and strategy of swordsmanship. Although founded upon the French school of small-sword fencing, it exhibits many peculiarities, and the author's method of explaining fencing is unusual for the era. The text containsapplications of geometrical and mathematical principles to swordsmanship, how to utilize ones own shadow as a training device, and defenses against assassins and so-called dirty tricks.
Irish Swordsmanship contains extensive footnotes, more than sixty drawings, paintings, and engravings from the period, a comprehensive glossary of terms, and seven appendices.
CONTENTS
Preface
PART I: History
I. Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland
II. Noted Irish Duelists
i. Captain Peter Drake
ii. Richard Buidhe Kirwan
iii. David Tyger Roche
iv. George Robert Fitzgerald
v. Alexander Buck English
vi. Richard Brinsley Sheridan
III. Irish Amazons and Stage Gladiators
IV. Eighteenth Century Dublin: Europes Wild West
V. Fencing Schools and Masters in Eighteenth Century Ireland
VI. The Knights of Tara
VII. Anthony Gordon, the Last Knight of Tara
PART II: The Treatise
Introduction: Essay on Authorship
Topical Guide to Contents
Note to the Reader
A Few Mathematical and Critical Remarks on the Sword
Glossary of Technical Terms
APPENDICES
I. The Irish Dueling Code of 1777
II. Works on Fencing and Dueling by Irish Authors
III. First Resolutions of the Knights of Tara
IV. Second Resolutions of the Knights of Tara
V. List of the Knights of Tara
VI. Rules of the Cherokee Club
VII. The Irish Pike Exercise
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
15. Drawing the Samurai Sword: The Japanese Art of Swordsmanship; Master the Ancient Art of Iaido
Description
To the Japanese, the sword is a spiritual weapon. It possesses a particular divinity, reflecting the soul of its maker, owner, and user. Around its mystical powers has grown the centuries-old ritual and practice of Samurai swordsmanship which is still avidly practiced today as is a fascinating and intricate martial art. This unique guide unlocks all the mysteries of the ancient tradition of Iaijutsuexplaining the history and significance of the sword in Samurai culture and documenting the techniques of swordsmanship as found in no other martial arts book.Darrell Max Craig is one of the foremost teachers of Kendo in the West. He spent many years in Japan competing and training at the very highest level. His book, Drawing the Samurai Sword, provides a thorough examination of all aspects of Iaijutsuincluding information on sword care and selection, necessary gear, sword and dojo etiquette, and useful drills for practice and demonstration.
This book also teaches readers about:
- How to evaluate your Samurai sword and handle it safely
- How to wear the traditional Hakama uniform
- How to perform the Kata forms to hone your technique
- The brutal history of sword testing, and today's more humane equivalent
- The classic and exciting story of "The Forty-Seven Ronin"
- And much more!