Shinkage-Ryu Sword Techniques: Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Vol.2

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.

Very difficult book to find for me. Love it. As someone who "studies" martial arts, this gives a good reference.

I know studying martial art would be impossible without any good teacher directing us in real life exercise. Books are just for supplement. But this one realy serves as a very good one!

As a former student of the Shendin Jinkinshin Kage Ryu sword system, I was familiar with most the basic cuts in this volume. However, this is not a book for a beginner. Indeed, as one of the reviewers correctly stated, "You cannot learn Japanese swordsmanship, no matter what style, from merely reading a book." This is a book for intermediate and advanced students. It is filled with clear photographs showing the techniques; nevertheless, you cannot learn these sword techniques without guidance from a competent kenjutsu instructor. Not all martial artists will find this book of value.In conclusion, if you are involved in kenjutsu, kendo, Iaido or other sword systems, you might find this book of interest.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Samurai Aerobics: the Kenjutsu workout manual).

Tadashige Watanabe dared to boldly go where no one has gone before! The techniques of the Shinkage Ryu have been closely and jealously guarded for centuries. To find not one, but two books on the shelf concerning this magnificent and ancient art is astounding. To my knowledge, Watanabe's are the only books on Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship in print. Although this book lacks indepth technical instruction, the hundreds of photos allow the moderatly experienced swordsman, no matter the style, to gain an insight into the technique, practice and application of each kata (form). Although the novice might find this a bit confusing, with a little patience and a lot of practice the "way" will soon begin to become more clear. As mentioned previously, this book is a first for Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship, and to anyone with knowledge of the Japanese culture, the lack of written detail is not surprising. There are, perhaps, those who opposed the release of this manual, but thanks to Tadashige Watanabe's diligent effort, this traditional and secret warrior method can now be glimpsed by all. A must for any martial arts library.

Well if you are familar with Yagyu Shinkage ryu already, and want a refesher, or detailed notes, this is the book for you. If you want to learn swordsmanship and have a limited background in Koryu style swordsmanship (im not talking about kendo background, or even Iaido) you will find this book with its lack of explantion, a difficult way to learn anything other than Shinkage ryu has a lot of forms.... This is not to say this is a bad book. Many in the "world of koryu" balk at even the idea of these forms being displayed let alone printed with any kind of detail. Not wishing to be harsh on this book's lack of user "friendliness" I will simply state that like the other books by this publisher (namely THE DIETY AND THE SWORD [KATORI SHINTO RYU]) they are good first efforts that hopefully will lead to more detailed, and hopefully better written instructional books in the future. -Vic

...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...

The 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.

If you practice aikido or iaido this could spice up you 're sword skills , shinkage ryu was also practiced by O sensei Morihei Ueshiba