Rating: 
Summary: Very Philosophic
Review: Not only does this book provide great information on many wazas or techniques but it also gives much insight into the whole Samurai way of thinking.
Rating: 
Summary: Aprende quem já sabe!!
Review: O livro não é lá grande coisa assim. Ele tenta ensinar iaido para quem já tem algum conhecimento da arte, o que a meu ver não tem lógica. Para que que alguém que já sabe iaido vai comprar um livro que ensina iaido. As fotos não ajudam muito pois geralmente temos uma fotos do inicio do movimento uma do meio (quando tem) e uma do final. Quem nunca fez iaido fica perdido e tem que ficar adivinhando as partes que não são mostradas no livro. O texto tenta explicar os movimentos mas ainda assim não consegue passar o movimento exato. Os autores esqueceram que uma imagem vale mais do que mil palavras. Não recomendo este livro para quem esteja querendo aprender iaido sem um sensei. Quem tem onde treinar iaido ai tudo bem, mas eu não vejo o porque gastar dinheiro com um livro se você pode aprender com um sensei de verdade. Só para lembrar livro em inglês.
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Summary: flashing blades
Review: Swordsmanship is the art of killing you can use all kinds of fancy words but when it comes down to it studing swordsmanship is learning how to kill.
with that said i would like to say that this book is very helpful in that i knew only the battou-jutsu before i read it now i can handle a sword with precision. i can now preform the battou-jutsu at greatly higher speeds as to take down an opponent before they can react. (wooden swords, of course)
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: the book is great for anyone interested or is already into iaijutsu (the art of drawing a sword and cutting with it in a single stroke). the first 65% of the book covers the proper mindset, spirit, and attitude that is needed in pursuing bushido (the way of the warrior). this part is great, not only for people practicing in sword arts, but all martial arts in general (which i think is sorely lacking in today's schools of martial arts). the latter part of the book deals with the specific waza, or forms, that is used to teach eishin-ryu. there are plenty of pictures and descriptions of each part of the movement. it, sometimes, even goes into the history surrounding the circumstances of the waza and explains why certain movements are the way they are.i bought this book as an intro to iaijutsu, and i was not let down in any way. a great book for those interested in studying japanese swordsmanship.
Rating:
Summary: On The Right Track
Review: The first 67 pages of "Flashing Steel" would be superb reading for ANY performer involved with ANY activity. I have been engrossed with the Martial Arts since 1953 and am one of the few who have achieved high rank in several disciplines related to the Asian Martial Arts. My personal library is replete with classic and not so classic works on the subject. Those works that I do not own, I have probably read or been asked to review. Rarely does a book come along within this topic that has much to offer that hasn't already been given. It is more of an honor NOT to have written a book on the Martial Arts these days, as we in the U.S. seem to have a pleathora of 40 year old 9 & 10 degree Black Belts, having the temperment of an artist but lacking the skill. Not so with this effort! The first 67 pages are a wonderful guide in explaining what the Arts are really all about. The writers are approaching a heretofor understanding of mental preparation for outstanding consistant performance not found anywhere else. I have most of the Sport Psychology works as well, and must warn all to save their money as they are essentially worthless. As a Sport Hypnotherapist, it has been my pleasure in developing a paradigm filling in the "gaps" that the writers of "Flashing Steel" came close to: the programing of the deeper or sub-conscious mind through hypnosis. This cannot be shown in book form, but must be demonstrated. In lack of that, "Flashing Steel" is the best I have yet found in combining the philosophies of the East with the West in Mental Preparation. Of course the remainder of the Book is as good as pictures can make it. The writers have provided a magnificent work. I congratulate them. It is MUST reading for all performers, and does an admirable job of presenting the sword. George A. Hamm
Rating:
Summary: Very clear and concise presentation of concepts
Review: This book covers the philosophy and techniques of Eisshin-ryu iaido, probably the most popular of the many schools of Japanese swordsmanship. Eisshin-ryu iaido is especially well-known, for example, for its fast-draw techniques. Keep in mind that it's not really possible for a beginner to learn the kata from a book. I would recommend you get Shima sensei's videos from Panther Productions for that, which I have also. If you're already knowledgeable about the forms, then this book will be useful for reminding yourself of certain things. So for most people the main strength of this book is in the simple, clear, concise, and understandable descriptions and explanations of iai, Budo, and samurai principles and philosophy. The authors often illustrate their discussions by historical examples of famous Iai masters, samurai, and generals in past centuries, making the philosophical ideas much more concrete and easier to understand for westerners and non-experts. Since the advent of the video tape, I don't generally buy books like these as references for the kata. If you want that, you can find these tapes sometimes used for less than the price of this book new. So if you're looking for that I would suggest you do that instead. However, the book would be useful for anyone needing to learn or brush up on the Japanese names and terminology for the katas, parts of the sword, philosophical principles, etiquette, and so on. If you already know the katas pretty well, you can recognize them from the photos, and learn the terminology that way (which is what I'm doing). If you're a novice I'd recommend this book before trying to read Draeger's famous book, Japanese Swordsmanship, which might be too difficult if this is your first exposure to these ideas. But after reading this one you'll be in good shape to tackle other, more technical works. I've also had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Hanshi Shimabukuro on several occasions at seminars, and he certainly exemplifies the principles and precepts of iai in his daily life and character. This is one of the main points emphasized in the book--that iai isn't just another martial art--however sophisticated--it's also a philosophy of life and living with implications beyond the merely mechanical, physical, and mental aspects of the mastery of the sword. I had one more comment. As the great Yale physicist and philosopher, Frederick Northrup observed, one interesting convergence between western and eastern philosophy is that at the highest levels they both become analytical epistemologies, or theories of perception. This was also evident in the discussions in this book of the four levels of perception of the samurai, and how they are used. Overall, a fine book on this interesting and still not very well known and understood art.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for the body but for the Soul
Review: This book has not just the tools for the technique, but offers so much more that what I had imagined...it goes into detail of the philosphies and self-image that the samurai held of himself and of others. A very thought provoking and enlightening text that I recommend for ANYONE looking into the art of iaido.
Rating:
Summary: Something for everyone
Review: This book has something for everybody interested in martial arts not just swordsmanship. If you want to learn the basic moves for sword drills or kata from a recognised and reputable school then you are more than adequately catered for with a full run-down of the core teachings of Eishin Ryu. The descriptions and the photographs are clear and well thought out. If you follow Eishin Ryu or its derivatives anyway, this section is informative and can add to your appreciation of your own style. The best thing is that this section is the least important of the book. The main part of the book gives you an insight into the deeper aspects of training properly in any art and it reinforces many of the lessons that my instructors have tried to teach me. Difficult ideas are explained succinctly and should be accessable to beginners as well as experienced martial artists. It is difficult to talk about philosophy and attitudes to life as well as training whilst remaining practical and relevant to people who live in the real world, but this book manages it. To sum up this book made me want to train and hasn't made it back onto the bookshelf yet, I keep dipping into it. Buy this book and lend it to everyone you train with.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: This book is important for more than it's exposition of this particular art. It is a masterwork of philosophy disguised as a technical manual. while it adresses the particulars of this ryu's method, virtually every sentance touches on some poingnant philosophic idea. Each idea desrving real attention because they were arrived at at the balance point of life and death. This is a must read for everyone and particularly for anyone involved in martial arts training. For students just beginning it is pretty much all you really need to know. For instructors this book provides the articulation of concepts and ideas we all feel but are rarely able to put into words. The concepts contained herein apply to all martial arts. this work is a great gift ot us all and deserves a place amoung the classics. I could go on and on. Just buy it and judge for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: as intended
Review: This book is set up as a teaching aide and not to teach the whole system. I use it as a reference manual to help support the teachings of my instructor. When used with proper instruction it is an invaluable tool for the sincere practioner. One should not expect to be able to learn the system from this book, but should expect to have lessons learned in class re-enforced.
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