Mastering the Samurai Sword: A Full-Color, Step-by-Step Guide [DVD Included]

This is the best and most informative guide to the Samurai Sword that I've yet read. It also isn't 1000 pages long which helps in digestion, and it includes a DVD which aids in retention. It also makes sense that this was originally meant to be a guide for Mr. Nemeroff's own students however, I'm grateful it was published, as it is also invaluable as a reference for the lesser-known arts of Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu.There also seems to be much confusion over the subject of this book, as evidenced by some of the reviews. This is a book on Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. Not Kendo or Iaido. A student of Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu myself, I found that not only in North America, but even when I traveled to Japan, only the oldest and best teachers of the sword seemed to know why I held the sword the way I did, and why I used the sword the way I did. After training in Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, one learns the true battle methods of the Samurai Sword- not the popular Kendo sport techniques that are only useful for fighting with bamboo swords for points. The more experienced teachers in Japan recognized that my technique came from Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, the predecessors to modern day Iaido and Kendo. These same teachers were amazed to see that these techniques were practiced outside of Japan as they are truly very hard to find in today's age. Therefore a big thank you to Mr. Nemeroff for this valuable source of rare information in a world dominated by only Kendo and Iaido.One clear example of the difference between the -jutsu and -do arts is the grip of the sword. This changes significantly between Kenjutsu and Kendo. In the former, you're holding a Katana that's meant to slice through the opponent or through weak spots in armor, thus requiring a very strong grip. In the latter, a bamboo sword is used with the aim of slapping or tapping an opponent as quickly as possible for points. When I went to Japan and started taking Kendo classes, I realized all the slapping and tapping would never work with a true Katana and that this training was suitable only for the sport of Kendo. You'll have to decide for yourself what makes more sense.With this book, you will either greatly augment your training in Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, or else be introduced to the power and practicality of these ancient and lesser known arts.It is then useful to understand that most of the negative reviews of this book come simply and unfortunately from the misunderstanding between the -jutsu (time of war) arts and the modern day, better known -do (ie. Kendo, Iaido) arts. Don't let this stop you from learning about these ancient and hard-to-find arts! As anyone who's had the chance to practice both Kenjutsu and Kendo as I have, will tell you- there is a world of difference between these arts!Both are wonderful arts, but I happen to prefer the ancient and more realistic sword arts and therefore highly recommend this book to anyone who might be interested in learning about the original usage of the Samurai Sword- before it evolved into a sport.I suppose its obvious, but I would also be wary of any review from a school meaning to bash the reputation of another school. In my opinion, anyone who engages in this is spending too much time bad-mouthing and not enough time training. In the true spirit of the martial arts we should have respect for all styles while understanding that everyone will have unique preferences for their favorite martial arts. As with all martial arts- you just have to give it a try and see for yourself.That being said, in my opinion, this is the best guide out there for traditional Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, I highly recommend it to you the interested reader- and I will certainly recommend it to my students as well. I wish you a wonderful journey in the arts of the Samurai Sword!

I have been a student and instructor of numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Krav Maga, Combatives, Boxing, wrestling, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Tanto-Jutsu, Wakizashi-Jutsu, Hanbo-jutsu) in my more than sixty years of training. I have also been fortunate to have read and reviewed numerous books on these many martial arts. This book, Mastering the Samurai Sword by Cary Nemeroff, is one of the very best texts I have ever read on Ken-jutsu and Iai-jutsu. This fantastic book is organized into 14 detailed chapters covering the following material:The history of the Samurai sword, Iai-Jutsu and Ken-Jutsu, Knowing the sword, Selecting the right equipment for practice, Samurai attire, Saho (formal etiquette), Sword holds, Ken-Jutsu, Suburi (Cutting), Uke-Waza (blocking and evasive techniques), Ukemi and Shikko-Waza, Iai-Jutsu, Katas (standing forms, and Seiza Katas (Kneeling forms).There is also an excellent glossary section in this book. The photographs are all in color and the instructions are very clear, straight forward, and easy to follow. One of the things which makes this volume unique besides the excellent and detailed writing, is the DVD that comes with this book. I have always maintained that books can only do so much and the best results are achieved when you receive hands-on training under the watchful eyes of a competent instructor along with studying the book. The DVD in this book covers the material in the book where you can actually see in detail how the technique should be done. In this respect, if there is no place where you can obtain instructions from a qualified Ken-jutsu and Iai-Jutsu instructor, following the material CLOSELY in the book and DVD, you may be able to develop a basic level of skill using the Katana(Samurai Sword).Whether you are actively taking Ken-jutsu or Iai-Jutsu from an instructor, or just training alone, this book and DVD is a must own for all serious students of Ken-Jutsu and Iai-Jutsu. Keep in mind that you must do more than just read this book, it must be studied closely if you intend to get the most out of this text book.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Wakizashi-Jutsu: An official manual of Bushi Satori Ryu)

I rate this book five out of five because it has everything that you need to know from beginner to someone with experience this book is a great Buy and I will keep going through it again and again it has awesome techniques it shows you blocking techniques as well I haven't really seen those in any other Japanese swordsmanship books and it has really awesome k a t a in standing positions and it kneeling positions this book covers everything you need to know.

This is the best DVD/book combo I have found on iaido/iaijutsu/kenjutsu. Lots of good color photographs in the book accompanied by good descriptions. The DVD has good videos to demonstrate what the book teaches. The biggest flaw is the lack of material on tameshigiri, test cutting on straw mats.Edit: I stand behind my original comments that 'Mastering the Samurai Sword' is the best DVD/book combo. After watching the DVD 'Samurai Swordsmanship', vol. 1, I think it is the best DVD I have seen. Samurai Swordsmanship (vol. 1) (DVD only)

As above. While this book is no doubt technically accurate, the average person would have a hard time progressing. The "visual aids" if we may call them that were minimal, and pretty close to useless. If you want an idea of how generic the drawings were look at the website JuniorGeneral.org. The drawings were roughly equivalent to the papers soldiers depicted on that website save without as much detail in many cases. Very disappointing.

Recommended, especially for someone becoming a student in a dojo (school enviroment). Well written text, delvered promptly by a good bookseller I would definitely like to conduct bussiness with again.

Quality production

Much better books out there on this subject. This book feels like an ego project.

great

Very informative but DVD with no sound??

Excellent

well present , documents and picture have been good qualityrespect all traditionnal presentation of ken jutsuall skill and technics well detailled progressivelya must to have