Flashing Steel, 25th Anniversary Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship [Paperback]

An updated edition of the classic guide on the techniques, philosophy, and applications of iaijutsu—the art of self-defense with the Japanese sword.

The 25th anniversary edition of the best-selling guide to iaijutsu (or iaido) expands on the previous two editions and includes:
 
• Deeper guidance on fundamentals—preparation, etiquette, progression, sword nomenclature
• More practices and techniques, including 55 ways to deploy a samurai sword in self-defense
• Additional solo and partner exercises to develop timing, distance control, focus, etc.
• Information on defense and attack scenarios with wider applications to other martial arts
• Overview of philosophical tenants that inform ‘the warrior’s life’
• Expanded history of iaijutsu and a biography-tribute of Masayuki Shimabukuro
• Updated guidelines for promotions and tournaments

Organized into 23 chapters with black and white photographs throughout, Flashing Steel is an essential resource for understanding the philosophy and practice of the Japanese sword arts.“This memorial edition of Flashing Steel is the premier guide to Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū. It is dedicated to Hanshi Masayuki Hidenobu Shimabukuro’s drive to continued learning and improvement. He sought to add to his skills, testing himself, and to then pass the knowledge on. The information he possessed and the drive he sought to instill in us changed us as we learned and practiced.”
—John Mills, founder of Mills Seito Family Dojo and instruclC4