Iaido news

Examiner.com

How you can select the best martial art Examiner.com - Nov 15, 2008 Some may like the zen-like qualities of a art like Iaido (a form of Japanese swordplay) or Kyudo (a form of Japanese archery). One who has a small stature ...

Iaido books

Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship

by: Nicklaus Suino
Rather pointless book. The images provided are utterly useless, being a few cm in size, badly drawn and providing no information whatsoever. I utterly regret buying this book. For kendo kata in particular I would recommend 'Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata'.

Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship

by: Shihan Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman
I recommend this as a reference for anyone interested in Iaido/Iaijutsu. One word of caution, though: there's many schools of Iaido, so some of the material presented herein will or will not apply to your particular school. However, the background and philosophy material are applicable throughout.

Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship

by: Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman
While the first edition broke new ground outlining many of the techniques and the philisophy of Eishin Ryu swordsmanship, the second edition raises the bar significantly.

There are more photos that make understanding and referencing the waza easier but even Shimabukuro Sensei would tell you that you need a qualified teacher to guide you. I've trained with Shimabukuro Sensei and there are myriads of layered technique, bunkai,and meaning behind what he does but this book gives you a great head start.

IAI: The Art Of Drawing The Sword

by: Darrell Max Craig
I say "oldie" because the All Japan Kendo Federation has added several new kata to its regimen since the book was published. But the description "goodie" still fits! There's a bit of something for everyone in this book: stories, history, philosophy, and practical tips.

As always, I'm grateful for the many thoughtful reviews here on Amazon. I'm surprised, however, that so many folks think a BOOK is the way to learn any martial art, especially a traditional one like iaido. If you're serious about learning iai (and not just reading about it), find a qualified, respected instructor and practice, practice, practice.

Iaido picture links