KENDO

This is Kendo
Junzo Sasamori & Gordon Warner
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company
ISBN 0-8048-0574
Summary:
The standard english language text. Covers history, basic technique and terminology. Kata are not covered. Pretty much the only choice easily found in english, but very good even so. Sasamori was judan (yup, that's pretty good).

Fundamental Kendo
Compiled by All Japan Kendo Federation
Publisher: Japan Publications, Inc.
ISBN 0 87040 226 9
Summary:
Describes many different techniques, all shown with sequential photography. Also desribes how to take care of your equipment, different training methods and a very good kata description with a lot of pictures. Unfortunately out of print (first published in 1973): if you find it somewhere, buy it.

Looking At A Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata
Paul Budden
Publisher: Ward Lock
ISBN 0-7063-7031-7
Summary:
Good comprehensive overview of ZNKR kendo kata.

Kendo No Kata: Forms of Japanese Kendo
Michael Finn
Publisher: Paladin Press
ISBN 0-87364-411-5
Summary:
Photos, 64 pages.

Kendo-Lehrbuch des japanischen Schwertkampfes
Kotaro Oshima & Kozo Ando
Publisher: Verlag Weinmann-Berlin
ISBN 3 87892 037 7
Summary:
German language, contains information on technique, equipment etc. There are illustrations for all techniques and also on how to take care of the equipment. If you know german it is a very good book if not you can still see a lot from all the illustrations.

KENJUTSU

Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques,
Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Vol. 1
Tadashige Watanabe (trans. Balsom, Ronald)
February 1993: Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc.
20-13 Tadao 3 chome, Machida-shi, Tokyo, 194 Japan
Distributor: Kodansha America, Inc.,
ISBN: 0-87040-887-9
Summary:
Covers posture, bowing and kata for beginning and intermediate students, mostly through sequential photographs. Unfortunately, the sequences often devote many pictures to something simple like retreating or advancing and miss key points of the actual technique. Interesting nonetheless but pricy.

The Sword and the Mind
Hiroaki Sato
Publisher: The Overlook Press
ISBN: 0-87951-256-3
Summary:
Translation of 3 documents pertaining to Yagyu family kenjutsu (shinkage-ryu), the Heiho Kaden Sho, Fudochi Shinmyo Roku and Taia Ki. Includes reproductions of the pages of the Heiho. Could just as well be in the philosophy section, but there is a lot of technique described. Fascinating.

Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword
Dave Lowry
Publisher: Ohara
ISBN: 0-89750-104-7
Summary:
Another shinkage-ryu book with chapters devoted to the history of the use of the bokken, equipment selection, basics, striking with the bokken, combination techniques, two-person kata, and the seated bo. Techniques are generally well-described using photographs and text, although some of the advanced techniques are difficult to follow.

Japan's Complete Fighting System - Shin Kage Ryu
Robin L. Reilly
Publisher: Charles Tuttle
ISBN: 0-8048-1536-4
Summary:
Another shinkage-ryu book, describes empty-handed and weapon techniques, including bo, jo, sword and knife. Only about 50 pages on sword technique, including stance basics, basic strikes with a katana, some individual exercises, and some solo and two-man kata, all demonstrated using shinken.

The Deity and the Sword (three volumes)
Risuke Otake
Publisher: Minato Research & Trading Co.
2 0-13 Tadao 3-Chome, Machida-shi, Tokyo 194-02 Japan
Distributor: Japan Publications Trading Company, 200 Clearbrook Rd Elmsford, NY USA 10523 (914) 592-2077
ISBNs 0-87040-378-8, 0-87040-405-9, 0-87040-406-7
Summary:
Technique and philosophy of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu, in both Japanese and English.

Bugei Ju-Happan: The Spirit of Samurai
Shigeru Nakajima Masayoshi
Publisher: G.O. Ltd.
39 Jimbou-cho, 1-Chome, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Distributor: Japan Publications Trading Co.
Summary:
This book contains information on the Takenouchi-Hangan Ryu, including sword, iai-jutsu and some other weapons defence against sword. In English.

The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship Charles Daniel Publisher: Unique Publications ISBN 0-86568-148-1 Summary: Unreviewed Classical Bujutsu
Donn F. Draeger
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348-0233
Summary:
Not much technique, interesting history, covers a number of bujutsu styles. Would be better with more detail on the ryu, but still recommended.

Samurai Swordsmanship - Vol 1 Dale S. Kirby National Paperback Book ISBN: ? Summary: Unreviewed Crimson Steel: The Sword Technique of the Samurai
Toshihiro Obata
Publisher: Dragon Books
ISBN: 0-946062-19-6
Summary:
Unreviewed, but Obata-sensei is a love-him or hate-him kind of guy. In short articles I've read from him he's been interesting, although the endless posturing and kendo-bashing is tiresome.

Budo Jiten 2d.
Frederick J. Lovret
Publisher: Taseki Publications
3579 Ruffin Road, #205, San Diego California 92123.
Summary:
A dictionary for the traditional Japanese martial arts.

Budo Shinbun
Frederick J. Lovret
Publisher: Taseki Publications
Summary:
Electronic newspaper for Lovret's students, soon to be released for Windows 95/NT.

The Way and The Power
Frederick J. Lovret
Publisher: Palladin Press
Summary:
Unreviewed.

IAIDO

Japanese Swordsmanship
Gordon Warner & Donn F. Draeger
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348-0146-9
Summary:
The standard English text for ZNKR iaido. Lots of interesting history. Iaido techniques described in detail, many of those details having changed since publication, but still useful.

The Way of the Sword
Michael Finn
Publisher: Paladin Press
ISBN 0-9017-6458-2
Summary:
Thin oversize soft cover, with photos of the 10 techniques of Seitei-Gata ...its a good companion to Warner/Draeger book in that in all techniques show the "attackers" in the proper positions in the photos, so it helps to better visualize the actions required. Slim on background & philosophy.

The Art of Drawing the Sword
Darrell Craig
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
ISBN 0-8048-7023-2
Summary:
Covers Seitei-gata (only 7 - does not include Gammen-ate, Soete-tsuki or Shiho-giri, along with Mu-Gai-Ryu's eight kata. Many drawings, very few photos. Choose Warner/Draeger first.

The Iaido Newsletter
c/o Kim Taylor
Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science
University of Guelph, Ontario
Canada N1G 2W1.
Tel (519) 824-4120 ext 6225
Fax (519) 836-9873
Email ktaylor@aps.uoguelph.ca
Summary:
A publication of shared distribution dedicated to arts of the Japanese sword: Iaido, Kendo and Ko-ryu Kenjutsu (mostly iaido). Send your stories, comments or announcements to Kim Taylor.

Eishin-ryu iaido : manual of traditional Japanese swordsmanship
Nicholas Suino
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0834803003
Summary:
Light coverage of history and etiquette, followed by sequenced drawings of 62 kata accompanied by generalized explanations. A quick guide for students with experience or instructors.

Flashing steel : mastering Eishin-ryu swordsmanship
Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman
Publisher: Frog Ltd.
ISBN: 1883319188
Summary:
Unreviewed, available July 1994.

ZNKR Seitei Iai
Okimitsu Fujii
Publisher: Kenseikai Publications, London England
ISBN 1-870571-00-2
Summary:
Excellent guide, 76 pages with photos.

Feliks F. Hoff
Iai-Do: blitzschnell die Waffe ziehen und treffen
Publisher: Verlag Weinmann, Berlin
ISBN 3-87892-035-0
Summary:
The book is in German, contains some history and etiquette and many drawings of ZNKR Seitei-iai.

Iaido - Todas Las Bases Y Los Katas Exigidos Para Cinto Negro
Jose Santos Nalda
Publisher: Editorial APas, Valencia 234,
08007 Barcelona - apartado 36274.
ISBN 84-203-0202-3.
Summary:
Spanish language book/cartoon booklet includes a pictorial history of the samurai age, manners and katas of Muso Shinden Ryu Shoden and Seitei Iai.

Naked Blade: A Manual of Samurai Swordsmanship
Toshihiro Obata
Publisher: Dragon Books
ISBN: 0-946062-18-8
Summary:
Toyama Ryu Iaido, with photos.

Shoden-Omori-Ryu
Jean Pierre Renier
Publisher: ?
ISBN: 2-904282-01-7
Summary:
In French.

Iai: The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship
Malcom Tiki Shewan
Publisher: European Iaido Federation
Cannes Azur - 22 av. Jean de Noailles - 06400, Cannes France
ISBN: n/a
Summary:
Muso Shinden Ryu Omori, en francais.

PHILOSOPHY

Go Rin No Sho - <Book of Five Rings>
Miyamoto Musashi
Hardcover translation by Victor Harris
Publisher: Overlook Press
ISBN 0-87951-018-8
Softcover translation by Brown, Kashigawa, Barrett and Sasagawa
Publisher: Bantam Books
ISBN 0-553-22509-X
Translation by Thomas Cleary
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN 0-87773-868-8
Summary:
Philosophy and general combat technique of Musashi, Japan's most famous swordsman. Not much technical detail, more from a generalist viewpoint. Better understood after a few years of practice. Mandatory for any martial artist's library.

The Zen Way to the Martial Arts
Taisen Deshimaru
Publisher: Arkana (The Penguin Group)
ISBN 0-14-019344-8
Summary:
Zen as it relates to the martial arts, often specifically kendo. Deshimaru is a zen master, content is often question and answer with questions from Yuno-sensei, kendo hachidan. Some sections are a little too "zen will fix your mama's corns" for my tastes but overall, excellent.

Zen and Confucius in the art of swordsmanship :
The Tengu-geijutsu-ron of Chozan Shissai
Kammer, Reinhard; translated by Betty J. Fitzgerald
Publisher: Routledge & K. Paul
Summary:
A work of the mid-Tokugawa period, influenced by neo-Confucianism. Interesting in the light of later, neo-Confucian influenced works, e.g. Hagakure. Also provides a monograph on the historical context of the Tengu-gei-jutsu-ron, and an afterward which is a condensation of one of Yamada's articles on the various schools of Japanese swordplay.

Zen & The Way of the Sword
(Arming the Samurai Psyche)
Winston L. King - 265 pages, hardback, publ. 1993
Oxford University Press
ISBN 0-19-506810-6
Summary:
Run, don't walk, *away* from this book. A mishmash compilation of some Zen, some history (1100-1980s), some parts of how Japanese sword mfg'd. Author surveyed a wide variety of texts & patched together a book.

Kendo in Japanese martial culture : swordsmanship as self-cultivation
Jeffrey Lewis Dann
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington.
Publisher: UMI
300 North Zeeb Road, PO Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 48106-1346 1-800-521-3042, UMI Order No: DDJ78-14421

HISTORY

Hagakure - <Hidden Leaves>
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Publisher: Kodansha
ISBN 4-7700-1106-7
Summary:
The author was a minor samurai after the time of Musashi. The book is a collection of sayings and stories about his clan & times along with some thoughts about what it means to be a samurai. More a strong taste of the times than deep philosophy.

Lives of the Master Swordsmen
Sugawara, Makoto; edited by Burritt Sabin.
Publisher: The East Publications, Inc.
Summary:
Includes excellent bibliography on Musashi, plus Ittosai's life and the transition of Itto-ryu in the first generation. There is also material on Yagyu Munenori.

SWORDS

The Samurai Sword A Handbook
John M. Yumoto
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc.
ISBN 0-8048-0509-1
Summary:
The standard text for collectors of antique nihon-to. A little history, discussion on the features and appraisal, short section on construction, list of smiths. Indispensable.

The Craft of the Japanese Sword
Leon and Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 0-87011-798-X (US) 4-7700-1298-5 (Japan)
Summary:
Discussion of the techniques currently used to construct swords. Step by step through the smithing of the blade, the polishing, the scabbard construction and the making of the habaki. Highly recommended.

The Japanese Sword Kanzan Sato Publisher: Kodansha ISBN: 4-7700-1055-9 Summary: Unreviewed. Judging a Japanese Blade Yasu Kizu
Publisher: Hawley Publications 8200 Gould Ave Hollywood, Ca. 90046
ISBN 0-910704-3-1
Summary:
An informative 18 page pamphlet, including an excellent discussion of flaws & defects with examples and how to judge the cutting quality of a blade by visual inspection.

JSS/US Newsletter
Publisher: JSS/US P.O. Box 712 Breckinridge, TX USA 76424
Summary:
Published bi-monthly, this newsletter contains various articles pertaining to the collection of Japanese swords. Topics include polishing, maintenance, appraisal, overviews of smiths' works, history. Ads for assorted suppliers of swords, sword fittings and services, as well as a catalog of books for sale (too numerous to list here). JSS/US also maintains an extensive lending library of reference material for members.

Japanska Svard
Yoshi Yukawa
Publisher: Berghss, Stockholm, Sweden.
ISBN 91-502-1012-2
Summary:
An introduction to Nihon-to. Basic history, terminology and etiquette. Nice photos and drawings of blades, tsuba etc.

OTHER RELATED TOPICS
Jodo
Pascal Kreiger
Publisher: Budo Books
Box 4727 Dept AMA Overland Park Kansas USA 66204-0727
Summary: Generally regarded as the finest book available on jodo.

Back