Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai Hardcover – November 9, 2012

This book is a treasure trove of information on how to use the tachi to fight against armored opponents. It's a compelling read for anyone who wants to learn about the intricacies of fighting during the warring states period. The only time I could let the book go was when I was falling asleep.

As with almost every book by Soke and collaborators, I think is non suitable to people that has no previous experience with the subject as presented by Dr. Hatsumi. With the supervision of a qualified teacher, this book makes sense to those that read it with open heart.

What a great book. Includes some gyokko ryu waza and kukishin waza. Lots of philosophy, lots of great pictures. Can be a coffee table book, but is also full of great info.

It is the usual Hatsumi way of publishing a book. A lot of potatoes and very little meat!

Great book, the illustrations are beautiful, and has made my 11 year old fall in love with the art of sword fighting.

A must for all Bujinkan or Takamatsuden students

Great read. All of Hatsumi's books are great.

Great

I got this on Amazon second hand for £8.99 (RR Price $35) in perfect order.I Had a look last night not a lot in it! page 18! before anything happens! what stud out was the large amount of out of focus and blurred snapshots I cannot call them pictures and too many black/white snapshots. it was a quick flip through and I have yet to read all the small amount of text but what I have read is good stuff.I would not be happy if I had more than I did and some sellers are asking a ridicules amount for this book and like all his other books it will become a collectors itemThere is interesting things in it Is it worth getting? Yes I think so. on the Technical side there are some Kata near the back of the book. it you are not a martial artist and/or have no idea how to move in Tai-jutsu or understand what Kamae you are doing and have not actually trained in it then you will be lost. if you have and do understand this book is worth getting but it is not a Densho! but worth getting. look around for a good second hand one I got a perfect one.

The book is exactly what it says it is, an introduction into the sword fighting techniques of a true master of the art of Japanese sword fighting, the book is well illustrated and although the construction is somewhat clumsy in places the lessons are clear. It gives the reader an understanding of the way of the samurai, further reading may include the book of five rings by musashi or for Hagakure's book of the samurai for a European perspective talhoffer's medieval combat guide may be of interest.

Man kann über Masaaki Hatsumi sagen was man will, doch seine tiefe Kenntnis der japanischen Kultur, Tradition und Kampfkünste treibt in diesen Büchern wunderbare Blüten. Dies sind nun keine abwertenden Dinge, sondern in einer Bildreichen, zum Teil sehr humorigen Art berichtet er aus den alten Zeiten der Samurai und des höfischen Lebens.Zwar geht es im Buch über Kampfkunst, doch zwischen den Zeilen kann man viel über das übertragene Wissen der alten Samurai Zeit erfahren.Es wird die Rüstung beschrieben, das höfische Zeremoniell und dann auch klassischer Schwertkamp mit dem Katana. In vielen Bildern werden hierbei Formen, sogenannte Kata, vorgestellt und in Bildern Schritt für Schritt dargestellt.Ein recht einzigartiges Werk in der Form, wobei sogar auf die besondere Tracht der Togukawa Shogunate eingegangen wird, die mittels besonderer Beinkleiner rasche, schnelle Bewegungen durch rituelle Kleidung am Hofe verhindern wollten.Ein wunderbare Werk, nicht nur für Bujinkan Leute von Interesse.

Die vorstellung von mir war irgendwie anders, ich hätte mehr erwartet bzw. was anderres erwartet.Irgendwie total unnütz.Als DEko schön, mehr auch nicht.

It is a great addition to any collection of japanese Sword fighting gear or any library for the mater.. Came in fast and read even faster.. Cheers, Jason