Iaido Sword : Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu

Rating:
Summary: If you know the basics this book is perfect
Review: I found this book extremely helpful but found it lacking in fine discription. The words describe the moves well but the pictures make it somewhat confusing. If you have basic knowledge of how to tie your obi, sageo, and hakama then you have nothing to worry about, because it doesn't explain those details. But overall a very good book.

Rating:
Summary: If you are to have only one manual on Iaido, this is it.
Review: Iaido Sword : Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu is in itself a work of art. In less than 250 pages it covers all aspects of Iaido ; historical, philosophical, the etiquette, description and care of the sword and clothing, the different stances and cuts, warm-up exercises, a glossary, references. The 12 katas of the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iai (SeiTei Iai) and the 4 series of the Muso Shinden Ryu are precisely described in the text and abundantly illustrated with clear photos and graphics as are all the corresponding bunkais. Even if you are a practitionner of another style of Iaido this is a must. A precious learning and teaching tool. The best all around manual on Iaido yet.

Rating:
Summary: If you are to have only one manual on Iaido, this is it.
Review: Iaido Sword : Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu is in itself a work of art. In less than 250 pages it covers all aspects of Iaido ; historical, philosophical, the etiquette, description and care of the sword and clothing, the different stances and cuts, warm-up exercises, a glossary, references. The 12 katas of the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iai (SeiTei Iai) and the 4 series of the Muso Shinden Ryu are precisely described in the text and abundantly illustrated with clear photos and graphics as are all the corresponding bunkais. Even if you are a practitionner of another style of Iaido this is a must. A precious learning and teaching tool. The best all around manual on Iaido yet.

Rating:
Summary: A very highly recommended specialized martial arts manual
Review: Iaido Sword: Kanimoto-Ha Techniques Of Muso Shinden Ryu is a straightforward instructional text to the traditional Japanese long sword movements, draws, strikes, and blocks. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs and respectfully presenting this classic martial art in intricate descriptive detail, Iaido Sword is a superbly presented and very highly recommended specialized martial arts manual, and a truly excellent and accessible reference for anyone seriously dedicated to studying the "Way of the Sword".

Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners/No para principiantes
Review: If you know the basics and at least the Omory Ryu katas this will help you to review and get some improvement tips but you will not be able to "learn" easily a kata from it. The written explanations are very good but it lacks of good picture explanations for the katas. Also the pictures are someway confusing because of the arrangement of them. As I said, is not for beginners but is a good reference for intermediate and up. This book gives you a good information on history and background of iaido. / Si sabes lo básico y por lo menos has trabajado las katas Omory Ryu este libro te ayudará a repasarlo y obtener claves para mejorar pero no te va a ayudar a aprender las katas con facilidad. Las explicaciones escritas son buenas pero no tiene buenas secuencias de fotos para explicar las katas. Las fotos que tiene son algo confusas por la forma en que presentan las secuencias. Como dije, no es para principiantes pero es una buena referencia para intermedios y avanzados. Este libro provee buena información sobre historia y antecedentes del iaido.