Library's review
Master the ancient art of the samurai sword with this straightforward guide to technique and practice
An enduring legacy of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors, the smaurai sword isused even today n the marital arts iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu.
This indispensable guide is the perfect introduction to using
Features full-color, step-by-step photographs detailing:
Drawing the samurai sword
Guard positions
Cutting blows
Blocking
Falling and rolling techniques
Evasive strategies
Standing forms
Kneeling forms
Also included is an instructional DVD showing each of the moves discussed in the book to help you perfect your technique
Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swordspeople will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.
Cary Nemeroff has earned 10th degree black belts in a variety of martial arts, including iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu, the subjects of this book. He conducts an extensive program of martial arts classes for adults and children-including specialized classes for children with physical and cognitive challenges such as autism-at the JCC of Manhattan, a state-of-the-art fitness and cultural facility. He has earned a BA in philosophy from New York University as well as an MA in education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 The history of the samurai sword
Chokuto or ancient sowrd period
Koto or old sword period
Shinto or new sword period
Shinshinto or modern sword period
Chapter 2 Iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu
Chapter 3 Knkowing the sword
The parts of the samurai sword
The sword maintenance kit
Maintenance and repair guidelines
Preparation for oil application
Applying the oil
Procedures for short-and long-term storage
Dismantling the samurai sword
Tying the sageo for sword storage
Chapter 4 Selecting the right equipment for practice
Chapter 5 Samrai attire
Putting on the keikogi, hakama, and obis
Folding the uniform for storage and travel
Chapter 6 Saho (formal etiquette)
Entering the dojo training space
Subsequent to oiling
Bow-in onto the tatema
Putting on attire
Presentation of the sword
Honoring the sword
Wrapping the sword
Final thoughts regarding saho
Chapter 7 Sword holds
Five methods of carrying the sheathed katana
Five methods of laying the katana on the ground in seiza
Samurai sword inspection
Chapter 8 Ken-jutsu
Ken-jutsu: The practice
Te-moto (hand positions)
Dachi-waza (stances)
Kumai-waza (guard positions)-Shizentai (natural posture); Chuden kumai (center-level guard); Joden kumai (upper-level guard); Gedan kumai (lower-level guard); Hasso-no kumai (vertical guard); Waka-no kumai (side guard); Gyaku-no kumai (reverse guard)
Chapter 9 Suburi (cutting)
Shomen-uchi (vertical head cut)
Kubi-uchi (diagonal neck cut)
Gyaku kubi-uchi (diagonal reverse neck cut)
Tomoe-uchi (horizontal stomach cut)
Gyaku tomoe-uchi (reverse horizontal stomach cut)
Nuki-uchi (jump cut)
Age-uchi (diagonal rising cut)
Gyaku age-uchi (reverse diagonal rising cut)
Yokumen-uchi (side of the head cut)
Gyaku yokumen-uchi (reverse side of the head cut)
Mae-tsuki (front thrust)
Sasse-uchi (supported cut)
Ushiro-tsuki (rear thrust)
Chapter 10 Uke-waza (blocking and evasive techniques)
Evasive techniques
Blocking techniques-ZJoden-uke (upper-level block); gyaku joden-uke (reverse upper-level block); Tsuba-uke (hand guard block); Chuden-uke (middle-level block); Gedan-uke (lower-level block)
Chapter 11 Ukemi and shikko-waza (falling and knee-walking techniques)
Mae ukemi )front fall)
Yoko ukemi (side fall)
Mae zempo kaiten (sheathed and unsheathed front roll)
Shikko-waza z(knee-walking technique)
Ken-jutsu solo training
Chapter 12 Iai-jutsu
Nuki-dashi (drawing)-Nuki-dashi age (rising oblique draw); Nuki-dashi tate (vertical draw); Nuki-dashi tomoe (horizontal stomach draw); Nuki-dashi ushiro (rear draw); Nuki-dashi seiza (seated draw)
Chiburi (deblooding)-Chiburi ichi-waza (deblooding technique #1 and #2); Chiburi seiza (seated deblooding technique)
Noto (sheathing)-Noto tomoe (horizontal stomach sheathing); Noto tate (vertical sheathing); Noto seiza (seated sheathing)
Iai-jutsu solo training
Chapter 13 Katas (standing forms)
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu kiso kata (standing forms)
Kata mae (front form)
Kata migi (right form)
Kata hidari (left form)
Kata ushiro (rear form)
Kata mae, ushiro nuki-uchi (front, rear jump-cut form)
Kata kaze kiru (whirlwind form)
Kata ushiro nuki-uchi (rear jump-cut form)
Kata migi, hidari, mae (right, left, front form)
Kata shikaze (four winds form)
Chapter 14 Seiza katas (kneeling forms)
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu kiso kata (kneeling forms)
Kata mae (front form)
Kata migi (right form)
Kata hidari, mae (left, front form)
Kata ushiro (rear form)
Kata mae, ushiro chikuzen (front, rear center-level thrust form)
Kata hidari, mae nki-uchi (left, front jump-cut form)
Kata joden-uke (upper-level block form)
Kata ushiro, mae (rear, front form)
Kata oroshi (mountain wind form)
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Author's biography
About the DVD
An enduring legacy of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors, the smaurai sword isused even today n the marital arts iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu.
This indispensable guide is the perfect introduction to using
Show More
the samurai sword, not only covering its history, evolution, and philosophy, but also providing practical guidance for mastering the samurai sword.Features full-color, step-by-step photographs detailing:
Drawing the samurai sword
Guard positions
Cutting blows
Blocking
Falling and rolling techniques
Evasive strategies
Standing forms
Kneeling forms
Also included is an instructional DVD showing each of the moves discussed in the book to help you perfect your technique
Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swordspeople will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.
Cary Nemeroff has earned 10th degree black belts in a variety of martial arts, including iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu, the subjects of this book. He conducts an extensive program of martial arts classes for adults and children-including specialized classes for children with physical and cognitive challenges such as autism-at the JCC of Manhattan, a state-of-the-art fitness and cultural facility. He has earned a BA in philosophy from New York University as well as an MA in education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 The history of the samurai sword
Chokuto or ancient sowrd period
Koto or old sword period
Shinto or new sword period
Shinshinto or modern sword period
Chapter 2 Iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu and ken-jutsu
Chapter 3 Knkowing the sword
The parts of the samurai sword
The sword maintenance kit
Maintenance and repair guidelines
Preparation for oil application
Applying the oil
Procedures for short-and long-term storage
Dismantling the samurai sword
Tying the sageo for sword storage
Chapter 4 Selecting the right equipment for practice
Chapter 5 Samrai attire
Putting on the keikogi, hakama, and obis
Folding the uniform for storage and travel
Chapter 6 Saho (formal etiquette)
Entering the dojo training space
Subsequent to oiling
Bow-in onto the tatema
Putting on attire
Presentation of the sword
Honoring the sword
Wrapping the sword
Final thoughts regarding saho
Chapter 7 Sword holds
Five methods of carrying the sheathed katana
Five methods of laying the katana on the ground in seiza
Samurai sword inspection
Chapter 8 Ken-jutsu
Ken-jutsu: The practice
Te-moto (hand positions)
Dachi-waza (stances)
Kumai-waza (guard positions)-Shizentai (natural posture); Chuden kumai (center-level guard); Joden kumai (upper-level guard); Gedan kumai (lower-level guard); Hasso-no kumai (vertical guard); Waka-no kumai (side guard); Gyaku-no kumai (reverse guard)
Chapter 9 Suburi (cutting)
Shomen-uchi (vertical head cut)
Kubi-uchi (diagonal neck cut)
Gyaku kubi-uchi (diagonal reverse neck cut)
Tomoe-uchi (horizontal stomach cut)
Gyaku tomoe-uchi (reverse horizontal stomach cut)
Nuki-uchi (jump cut)
Age-uchi (diagonal rising cut)
Gyaku age-uchi (reverse diagonal rising cut)
Yokumen-uchi (side of the head cut)
Gyaku yokumen-uchi (reverse side of the head cut)
Mae-tsuki (front thrust)
Sasse-uchi (supported cut)
Ushiro-tsuki (rear thrust)
Chapter 10 Uke-waza (blocking and evasive techniques)
Evasive techniques
Blocking techniques-ZJoden-uke (upper-level block); gyaku joden-uke (reverse upper-level block); Tsuba-uke (hand guard block); Chuden-uke (middle-level block); Gedan-uke (lower-level block)
Chapter 11 Ukemi and shikko-waza (falling and knee-walking techniques)
Mae ukemi )front fall)
Yoko ukemi (side fall)
Mae zempo kaiten (sheathed and unsheathed front roll)
Shikko-waza z(knee-walking technique)
Ken-jutsu solo training
Chapter 12 Iai-jutsu
Nuki-dashi (drawing)-Nuki-dashi age (rising oblique draw); Nuki-dashi tate (vertical draw); Nuki-dashi tomoe (horizontal stomach draw); Nuki-dashi ushiro (rear draw); Nuki-dashi seiza (seated draw)
Chiburi (deblooding)-Chiburi ichi-waza (deblooding technique #1 and #2); Chiburi seiza (seated deblooding technique)
Noto (sheathing)-Noto tomoe (horizontal stomach sheathing); Noto tate (vertical sheathing); Noto seiza (seated sheathing)
Iai-jutsu solo training
Chapter 13 Katas (standing forms)
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu kiso kata (standing forms)
Kata mae (front form)
Kata migi (right form)
Kata hidari (left form)
Kata ushiro (rear form)
Kata mae, ushiro nuki-uchi (front, rear jump-cut form)
Kata kaze kiru (whirlwind form)
Kata ushiro nuki-uchi (rear jump-cut form)
Kata migi, hidari, mae (right, left, front form)
Kata shikaze (four winds form)
Chapter 14 Seiza katas (kneeling forms)
Fukasa-ryu iai-jutsu kiso kata (kneeling forms)
Kata mae (front form)
Kata migi (right form)
Kata hidari, mae (left, front form)
Kata ushiro (rear form)
Kata mae, ushiro chikuzen (front, rear center-level thrust form)
Kata hidari, mae nki-uchi (left, front jump-cut form)
Kata joden-uke (upper-level block form)
Kata ushiro, mae (rear, front form)
Kata oroshi (mountain wind form)
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Author's biography
About the DVD
Show Less
ISBN
804839556
Publication
Tuttle Publishing Singapore Rutland, Vermont Tokyo