Japanese Sword Drawing : A Sourcebook

Rating:
Summary: Japanese Sword Drawing- a critical overview
Review: I was very disappointed once I`d had the chance to examine my copy of Mr Zier`s offering.
To be fair, the manual is presented as a "source book for Iaido students" and not a "how to" book. Never the less I suspect that even longtime practitioners of these forms would be hard pressed to follow the fairly rudimentary instructions. Apart from making it almost impossible to re-enct the forms correctly (possibly intentional, a book is no substitute for a good teacher) it also fails to present a convincing picture of the art. Perhaps footwork diagrams would make it a little easier to follow the action.
The kata are variously performed by Mr Zier and 2 of his students, sadly the form displayed is less than perfect. Am I being overly critical? I don`t think so. I think it reasonable to expect anyone who is presented as "a noted master" to at least display decent posture and to ensure that his representatives do the same. After all if this is a source book then surely the material therin should be technically flawless. Anything less would simply lead to still further degeneration of the art.

Curiously, Mr Zier offers no details of his teachers and his own instruction in the art he now represents to us.

In the final analysis I don`t believe that this book would be of any real use to any practicing students of Iai who are fortunate to have access to a decent certified instructor.

Students of Iai looking for more indepth reading on their art might do well to locate a copy of "Japanese Swordsmanship" by Gordon Warner & Donn F. Draeger.

Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Iaido Information
Review: This book is probably the most in-depth book on Japanese swordsmanship I have ever read. There is enough information in this book to work on for years literally with time and patience. I have been involved in the martial arts for close to six years and have had exposure to numerous arts, and I have always supplemented my training with videos and book material. This book lives up to its claims in every way and is a huge step forward in the preservation of Japanese swordsmanship. I recomend it to any student of the Martial arts regardless of style.