2 comments about Cutting Through the Mystery Japanese Military Iai-Batto-Do Swordsmanship Toyama Ryu Iaido.

1. In this work, the authors describe in detail the swordsmanship of the Toyama Ryu, which was the official sword curriculum of the Japanese Military up until WWII. As the title suggests, they present the material very directly without mystification, which makes it a very practical guide especially when read along side the DVD version of the same name (availble through Actionflex.com). There is much in the way of insightful advice throughout. The pictures demonstrating the techniques are a little grainy (why my rating is 4 rather than 5 stars), but clear enough to understand. Overall, a very good guide to this very practical style of Japanese swordsmanship.



2. I have just recently purchased this DVD and find that it is a very well explained and set out DVD for anyone who has no access to a teacher of Toyama Ryu and wishes to learn on their own. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the fact that some of the filming is a little bit hazy. But overall a good well set out DVD.

5 comments about Beginners Guide to Kendo and Iaido - d.

1. Hmmm ... where to begin. While the author may be a successful martial artist, it is painfully obvious from watching this video that he has NO knowledge of kendo at all, and very little of iaido. The movements and techniques that he espouses as correct are so sloppy as to be almost unrecognizeable. His movements and precision are laughable. Combine this with the terrible quality of the video, and it wasn't even good enough to enjoy for its comedic value, although I did laugh out loud several times.
   
   Definitely a waste of time and money for anyone that is truly interested in the Japanese sword arts.



2. While I can't speak for his skill in other martial arts, I know for a fact that this man knows next to nothing about kendo. His technique is sloppy at best and all of his movements are laughable. He may have had some training but it is obvious that, at the most, he attended a handful of practices, thought he "mastered" kendo, and decided to produce this film and make money off of it. Please, do yourself a favor and do not waste your time on this man or this DVD.



3. Just by looking at the cover, I can tell that this person knows nothing about kendo. If this is for beginners, then he shouldn't even be bothering with joudan no kamae. Besides, it's all wrong. When you hold a bokken, the left hand doesn't grip the end of the handle. Basic joudan no kamae is done with the body essentially square to the opponent. His right hand is in a useless position. His left hand is too far from his forehead. It is also too low; his hand is blocking part of his field of view. In basic kendo, both hands are supposed to grip the sword evenly. You control the swing of the sword with your pinkies and the ring fingers. Because his right shoulder is so far back, his right hand is gripping with his index and middle fingers. If I attack from the direction of the camera, he'll have to shift his body around so he can use both hands to swing. Or he'll have to try a kata te waza, which is not a beginner's waza. And I can tell you right now, he would miss. His left wrist would turn out, and his blade would veer off to my right.
   
   Don't waste your time with this. You can't really learn much from a video without real, personal instruction. Until just recently, all the sanctioned kendo dojo in the U.S. were non-profit organizations. I don't know why it changed. But in any case, the really good sensei are volunteers. So, the fees are very minimal. If you're really determined to learn correct kendo, you'll find a sensei who will teach in Japanese. Kendo is not something you master in a year. Even people who have been doing it for 20 years are called beginners. Just my opinion.



4. Although I have not seen this video in it's entirety, I have seen excerpts of Mr. Wilson's "kendo". It's obvious for any knowledgeable person that he has had little or no formal training in kendo. This is my opinion based on 25 years of practicing kendo.
   
   If you must have training videos, e-bogu sells some that are made by Taro Ariga, a well-known international competitor. But really I'd recommend you find a dojo if kendo interests you.



5. After studying kendo and iaido for nearly a decade with non-profit dojos from Massachusetts, DC, Maryland and Virgina, I have never seen this type of kendo from any of the teachers I've have the fortune enough to learn from. This video is difficult to appreciate since it does not represent anything that I have been taught. There are more enough free short kendo videos on the Internet to gain some appreciation of the art. Anthony Bourdain's video at [...] demonstrates a better representation of the art that I know then the type of Kendo that this person professes to understand. However one comment, I have never known any sensei to call themselves a master of kendo. I think I read somewhere that the Japanese refer to a teacher as a master of any art form, only after they're dead.

4 comments about Classical Iaido.

1. This footage is all about live blade Kendo, not iaido. They made a mistake on the cover. However, the footage is still very interesting and fascinating to watch if you are into Kendo with a live blade. Also, the quality of the film is poor, but then again, where else can you get vintage footage of masters in Japan practicing live blade kendo.



2. I loved this DVD it was terrific and very well done. The Japanese Instructors who did this should be applauded for their efforts.



3. As already stated, this is KENDO kata and has nothing what so ever to do with Iaido. The opening title even displays "Japanese (Nihon) Kendo Kata" as the video starts.
   Kendo kata are not performed with live or even practice blades, they are performed with bokuto. Having said this, the content is a fine demonstration of proper and improper techniques for Kendo kata.
   The video itself is a poorly made copy from a VHS tape. No one looking for Kendo kata videos would think to buy this. Those looking for Iaido videos will feel "ripped off" if they do.
   RisingSunProductions is either ignorant of what they are releasing or fraudulant. Seek Iaido instruction elsewhere. Do not buy this DVD.



4. Once again Don Warnner of Rising Sun Productions DECEIVES the buyer,
   the cover states iaido and shows a prominent Sensei of Toyama Ryu, Seiji Ueki Sensei all over the cover and disc itself,BUT NOWHERE AND ,I REPEAT NOWHERE DOES UEKI SENSEI APPEAR IN THIS VIDEO ,OR IS THER ANY INSTRUCTION IN CLASICAL IAIDO !!,This is just poor management of a company and an effort to deceive to make sales, very sad indeed.In my opinion mr. Warnner is a man of no Budo and misrepresents to make a buck! THIS IS JUST A COPY OF NIHON KENDO KATA !!! BUY THAT INSTEAD !!!Although the video itself is great for the material it contains , it should have been marketed acurately, VERY SAD don VERY sad!>>>>>

1 comments about Iaido Vol.1.

1. If you are looking for a DVD on Iaido, this is a poor choice. There is little or no step-by-step description of technique. Not a good choice for beginners. If you have some experience with sword techniques you might be able to pick up a few pointers.
   I am speaking from 17 years experience in the martial arts, both as a student and instructor.
   The quality of the video is poor and was difficult to run on my Windows XP machine. Windows Media Player 11.0 wouldn't run it. I had to use Roxio Creator 10 player.
   All-in-all, a poor choice for instruction in the art of Iaido.

1 comments about Bujinkan Keiko Kai Volume:1 Koto-Ryu and Katana Kihon.

1. I am a student of Bujinkan and I have studied quite a bit. This video was AMAZING and I highly recommend it. My friends who were familiar with Bujinkan in North East America told me that Christopher Carbonaro is a trusted name in Bujinkan(heard this from a lot of people). They were right! This video was truly enlightening. I really enjoyed my purchase.

2 comments about Complete Introduction to Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido DVD with Didier Boyet.

1. Good DVD, but I did not feel it is worth the selling price. The DVD primarily concentrates on 12 basic striking movements starting from the seated position. There is a bonus feature from one of his seminars. This feature was helpful because he gives additional tips on the movements and points out common mistakes. I would have preferred sections of his live seminar edited into the main instructional section. One has to refer to both the seminar and the instructional section to gather all the information provided in the DVD.



2. Just starting out in iaido, I found this to be just what I was looking for. Boyet explains all the nuances of why the grip is the way it is, why the foot placement etc. All of the little details I haven't picked up on in class were explained here. The seminar section was also a nice feature that shows him teaching a group of students and walking around to make corrections to their form. I'm not sure if advanced students would get a lot out of this dvd, but for beginners like me, I think it will help a lot.

5 comments about NOVA: Secrets of the Samurai Sword.

1. Roughly an hour long fascinating documentary of how the infamous sword of the Samurai, the Katana, is made. Learn in detail about every interesting facet of the history and the amazing amount of work and skill that goes into making what is, I believe, the best sword in the world for over a thousand years.
   
   Starting at the very beginning with the smelting of the special high grade iron sand that is only found in certain stream beds in Japan, to the 36 hour forging process involved by a skilled master in making the initial block of iron called Tamahageny. Pieces of which are passed onto another forge master to make the sword template and then to yet another master craftsman who polishes & sharpen and embellishes the blade with engravings etc.
   
   Seen recently on the National Geographic Channel and featuring Dr Stephen Turnbull and Ian Bottomley, this major work is made all the more captivating with many clips of some of the last master sword makers around.
   
   To see the amount of the physical work & effort and time and labour that goes into making one of these masterpieces is truly amazing. Modern day metallurgists are astounded and even baffled by way these swords are so perfectly made without relying on computers or robots or the use of complex formulas, chemistry or other measuring equipment, just the naked eye to measure the temperature of the flame and years of experience.
   
   UK Viewers: WARNING!! Please make sure that your DVD can play with Region 1 DVD's and that your TV is NTSC compatible first.
   
   If you enjoy this then do look out for "Samurai: The Last Warrior. The Path of Honour, the Sword of Revenge" which is also a REGION 1 + NTSC DVD. This documentary explains the history, evolution and final demise of the Samurai.



2. This is an excellent video showing the technology developed over centuries by great craftsmen to produce not simply a weapon, but a work of art.
   
   The video covers the art *and* science of producing a katana - the samurai's sword. It begins with workers making steel from ore. It moves to the swordmaker's art of forging a magnificently crafted weapon perfectly suited for the style of combat the culture revered. It shows that polishing and sharpening are a separate art also practiced by great craftsmen.
   
   There is a great deal of science in the video that explains the properties of steel, how it is hardened, and how the weapon requires different steels to accomplish its task.
   
   It isn't perfect, but this video is very good!



3. I do not consider myself a science person but I loved learning about how the Samurai sword was made!!!



4. The most impressive and interesting part of this documentary, was the comprehensive documentation on how a sword is made, from the refinery to sword polishing.
   
   The documentary includes extensive background, and excellent cineography of the whole event. I found it alot of fun and interesting to boot.



5. Do you really need anything more than the Nova logo to know that this is an outstanding product? Of course not.
   This story is, if anything, too short at 1 hour (approximately). The blade itself and the relevant science are covered well. The smelting, forging, sharpening, and polishing are covered; while several of the associated accessories don't fit within the allotted time. It shows the modern artisans using the time honored ways to make a sword worthy of defending a life and becoming an heirloom. We're not talking about $99.95 mass production swords here! This is illustrated when a kendo master defends himself against an arrow to the chest using katana and breathtaking skill.
   The photography of the processes is gorgeous! You can practically feel the heat radiating from the screen as the smith toils over the forging process while folding and laminating layer after layer.

1 comments about Samurai Swordmanship Vol. 3: Advanced Sword Program by Masayuki Shimabukuro.

1. This video is an excellent reference for anyone studying Iaijutsu! It does not however replace the proper instruction of a qualified Sensei. See www.jikishin-kai.com to find a qualified instructor in this style of Iaijutsu in your local area today!
   
   NEWS FLASH!
   
   Shimabukuro Sensei will teach a seminar in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu in Pensacola,FL on March 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The seminar will be held at the dojo (Big Green Drum Japanese Martial Arts.)
   
   
   We will have more details up on our web site soon.
   
   http://www.aikidowestflorida.com/index.htm
   http://www.aikidowestflorida.com/iaijitsu.htm
   
   Contact: patty@aikidowestflorida.com
   For more information about Shimabukuro Sensei, see www.jikishin-kai.com

3 comments about Samurai Swordmanship Vol. 2: Intermediate Sword Program by Masayuki Shimabukuro.

1. This video is an excellent reference for anyone studying Iaijutsu! It does not however replace the proper instruction of a qualified Sensei. See www.jikishin-kai.com to find a qualified instructor in this style of Iaijutsu in your local area today!
   
   NEWS FLASH!
   
   Shimabukuro Sensei will teach a seminar in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu in Pensacola,FL on March 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The seminar will be held at the dojo (Big Green Drum Japanese Martial Arts, patty@aikidowestflorida.com for information)
   
   
   We will have more details up on our web site http://www.aikidowestflorida.com/index.htm http://www.aikidowestflorida.com/iaijitsu.htm soon.
   
   See www.jikishin-kai.com
   for more information about Shimabukuro Sensei.



2. studied the style for awhile , I was very happy with the volumes and was surprised when they covered something I havent covered



3. This is a great Intermediate companion DVD for Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship.
   
   It covers the following
   
   Tying an Obi
   How to Wear the Hakama
   How to fold the Hakama
   Sword Etiquette (Reiho)
   Postures (Kamae)
   Drawing Cuts (Nukitsuke) - 2 New Cuts
   -- Kiri Age
   -- Tsukikage
   Two Handed Cuts (Kirioroshi) - 2 New Cuts
   -- Migi Gyaku Kesa
   -- Hidori Gyaku Kesa
   Thrusts (Tsuki) - 2 New Thrusts
   -- Ushiro
   -- Morote
   Forms (Kata) - 4 New Kata
   -- Shato
   -- Shihoto Sono Ichi
   -- Shihoto Sono Ni
   -- Zantotsuto
   Drills (Batto Ho Kumitachi) - 2 New
   -- Tsukikage
   -- Suigetsuto
   Cutting Matts (Suemonogiri)
   -- San Dan Giri
   -- Yon Dan Giri
   
   For all the Cuts and the forms, the DVD talks you through the task while it is being demonstrated. Then the DVD does a slow motion demo and then a real time demo.
   For the Drills, the DVD talks you through the task while the two demo the task. Then the drills are done in real time twice. Once from the front and once from the back.
   
   Production values are first rate (there is a noticeable hiss on some occasions and some aliasing with the striped pants but other than that very good), the demonstrations are masterful, and the voice "acting" is acceptably good.

5 comments about Samurai Swordmanship Vol. 1: Basic Sword Program by Masayuki Shimabukuro.

1. This video is for those who want to learn the correct method of Japanese Swordsmanship. Not the flashy stuff you see in movies or at a Karate tournament. Swordsmanship is about the little things such as distance, timing and get this .... PROPER TECHNIQUE! If you want to learn what was taught 400 years ago, in the time honored tradition then this is the DVD for you. They will take you step by step, show, explain and demonstrate everthing you will need to become a swordsman. If you want to look like some anime character, then sorry, this is not for you!



2. This is a great companion DVD for Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship.
   
   It covers Nukitsuke, Furikaburi, Kirioroshi, Chiburi, Noto, Tameshigiri. It also has two 2 person exercises.
   
   Production values are first rate, the demonstrations are masterful, and the voice "acting" is acceptably good.



3. This video deals with the MJER (muso jikiden eishen-ryu) style of iaido, which is probably the most popular and has a very large number of kata (around 60, and even more if one includes the jodo techniques and waza), providing great diversity and range in the techniques and waza.
   
   I am primarily an instructor of other arts (Kali & JKD), but earned my black belt under Hanshi Shimabukuru a few years back. I wanted to get some knowledge and skill in this famous art even though my main interests lay elsewhere.
   
   I'm glad I did, and that I hooked up with Hanshi's organization. It's a class act in every way, from the quality of the instruction to the people involved, who have always been very professional and dedicated in their desire to disseminate the art of iaido. To help with that end Hanshi came out with this volume.
   
   I've seen many iaido books and videos and sets and this is still my favorite one. This volume goes over basic techniques and principles that are essential to the art, from how to hold the sword to the basic drawing and sheathing techniques. It also covers some etiquette, construction of the sword and its parts, cutting straw mats, and a bit of history. I own the earlier five volume series that Hanshi did back in the 90s also, and that's worth picking up too and has all the waza series, from basic to advanced. Overall a fine video that will help you get started in your iaido studies, or to help you review if you already have an instructor.



4. Okay, so I'd had a couple of swords hanging on my wall for a while now. Both very good and combat ready, but I didn't know the first thing about how to use 'em. Yeah, we've all seen the Samurai movies, and those guys make it look so easy, right? However, I'm not gonna start swinging around a sharp blade without first learning something about it. So I thought this was a solid investment.
   
   After watching the first little bit (Blah, blah, sword terminology, yadda, yadda, tradition, etc.)I started learning. And learning a lot. First and foremost, what I was doing WRONG. Now it had my attention.
   
   Yes, this is a "Basics" DVD. They're not gonna make you an instant badass off of one video. This is the building blocks of it all, like, oh, for instance, HOW TO HOLD A SWORD IN THE FIRST PLACE! You'd be amazed how many are doing it wrong. Even in those fancy samurai movies. Hell, I was doing it wrong! This is some seriously great stuff. If you're looking to learn how to take care of your sword, know your sword, and know how to USE your sword, this is a great buy. I'm looking forward to getting the next two as well.
   
   .......When I've got the basics down. :)



5. I bought this video because it was the style I wanted to learn. The closes school is in Kansas and Missouri, except for a siminar I will not be making that trip. However, I am not totally new to the katana so this is a great learning tool for me. I know you can't really learn everything from a dvd but this guy is smooth and I do have his 2nd edition Flashing Steel book. I'm sorry, Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi is smooth. You can tell he has been training a long time. Very confident and sure of his actions. This is a basic dvd set but we all must crawl before we can walk. This is one of three dvd's by Hanshi Masayuki Shimabukuro, might I suggest you get them all.