Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796
EAN num: 9780870408878
ISBN number: 0870408879
Label: Japan Publications (USA)
Manufacturer: Japan Publications (USA)
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 140
Printing Date: 1993-04
Publishing house: Japan Publications (USA)
Sale Popularity Level: 1324693
Studio: Japan Publications (USA)
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
In this second volume, the author introduces the theories behind this ancient sport, and instructs in the movements specific to Shinkage-ryu style of kendo or swordplay.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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This book is not aimed at beginners. He says it is for intermediate and advanced students. Mr. Watanabe started our NYC branch in September 2002. You do not have to look far to find some American with a book on swordsmanship false claiming to have studied Yagyu Shinkageryu in Japan. In fact there are tons of fake Shinkageryu schools across America with credentials faker than some High School kids I.D. cards. For example those claiming to practice Shinkageryu Iado. We do practice Siego Ryu but we never claimed it was Shinkageryu Iado! This school of sword is 500 years old this year. It was the sword style of the Tokugawa and three shoguns which is why it is so popular in Japan today. You do not have to look far to find some self proclaimed modern Ninja who is claiming to be Soke of mythical and shady Ninjutsu schools from Japans history books. Such a person in fact has a huge following in America. Not that we Americans can be blamed for not knowing the schools he claims to be headmaster of either never existed or ceased to exist 400 years ago. So yes you can find enough phonys and fakers out there to sink a battleship. And they will be eager to take your money and teach you the improper way to do things.
However you will not find many 10th Dan inheritors of a 500 Year old sword school with books in print. In fact there are only two sword schools in the U.S. recognized by the Japanese Federation as being true Ryu. The Yagyu Kai and Marobashi Kai.
I challenge you to find a book on Kenjutsu by a 1oth Dan headmaster of an official Ryu anywhere else on this website. If you find such a mythical creature please reply with the link.
In the meantime if you hate this book and can not understand it with all those pictures it means your sword skill sucks. Try not to lose a finger or poke out an eye etc.
Rated by buyers -
I am very early in my studies of shinkage ryu, although I have practiced other martial arts for more than 25 years. My teacher is a student of Watanabe Sensei.
Like books about all styles, this volume is meant not as a stand-alone course, but as a reference to be used in conjunction with face-to-face training. As it is not a video, but a series of still photographs, there are necesarily some details left out. One can no more learn sword from a book than learn how to do a spinning tae kwon do back kick, a shiho nage aikido throw or a proper one two punch. All these take place in three dimensions and require an expert to convey their true essense.
What this book, and it's companion volume, do provide are a reference to some of the basic techniques of one of the greatest surviving sword systems as practiced by one of the world's foremost masters.
If you want to learn Japanese sword, buy the book AND find a genuine teacher. You won't be disappointed with either.
Rated by buyers 
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The very first warning is that you should have some experience in the traditional (older) fighting system. this book is not a tool for the novice. It does however bring a wealth of information of the Koryo Kata's of Shinkage-Ryu. Even those that are not practioners of ShinKaGe can glimpse and acquire knowledge from the volume of pictures. If you are a novice buy it and review it every six months to see if your understanding has grown.
Rated by buyers 
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...ok ...I've revised my review to not be so vehement...
leave it at this... set aside the glamour and romantisism of "the Japanese sword" for a minute and really take a look at the guys in these pictures... do they really look competent? You decide... Other than that, there's no secrets being revealed here... it's not the Tokugawa period anymore... and you can't learn kenjutsu (or kendo, or boxing, or a foriegn language)a book...
Rated by buyers 
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This book has a lot of commendable qualities, but also a lot of flaws. It includes 22 profusely illustrated kata from shinkage-ryu swordsmanship. These are the real meat of the art, and what distinguish shinkage-ryu from other styles of kenjutsu -- which is all well and good if you have experience in Japanese sword techniques. However, the introductory elements to the book explain only guidelines for shinai (bamboo sword) lengths, and a very brief section on stances. Basic techniques, which are necessary for all martial arts but especially for a more obscure art like kenjutsu, are not covered at all.
Also, if you're not a very visual learner, be forewarned that the explanations for each of the kata are very short and mostly rely on the reader understanding the photo. To add to the confusion, some of the number labels for the pictures are impossible to read. That said, I think this book has enough to reward someone with experience in kenjutsu, kendo, etc, but beginners should look elsewhere.
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