Crimson Steel: The Sword Technique of the Samurai

Toshishiro Obata: 'at first I enrolled for the professional instructor's Aikido course at the Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo which as founded by Gozo Shioda. The Yoshinkan style of Aikido is very close to the original teachigs of Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, with hard, fast and practical methods. When I saw a demostration of real swordmanship by Taizaburo Nakamura of the Toyama Ryu, and knew immediately that this was what I craved. Although the powerful Yoshinkan style of Aikido was close to the methods of the samurai, and certainly very much more effective than the modern rather weak variety, it was not enough to satisfy me. I resolved to become a swordsman and put my first foot on that path; on that day I left my colleagues at the Yoshinkan Dojo show more after six years of study under that stern but very remarkable teacher Gozo Shioda. I was pleased to find that my years at the Yoshikan had not been wasted and that apart from my good physical condition which allowed me to make the most of my training, many of the techniques of Aikido that I had learned, helped me make rapid progress in swordsmanship. Having made some progress in the Toyama style (Rikugun Toyama Gakko Batto Jutsu) of swordsmanship, I also studied Shuriken and Yagyu ryu methods, as well as Nakamura Ryu. I trained regularly at the dojo of Motokatsu Inoue the almost legendary master of Okinawan ancient martial arts (Ryukyu Kobudo) and form him I learned much including the staff (bo), sickle (kama), rice flail (nunchaku) and grinding handle weapon (tonfa). As my appetite for the martial arts remained insatiable, I would also study with Master Ymuio Nawa a man with an immense knowledge of the true ancient martial arts such as manrikigusuari (the weighted chain) and Edo Machikata Jutte (iron truncheon art). He is also the leading authority on Ninjutsu, or as it was originally called in Japan, Shinobi-jitsu.

More information on swordsmanshiis now available, as is instruction, gradually the tide is turning in favour of the authentic and original in place of the modern and contrived. This is the message that I want to convey in this book. Look back to the old ways and respect them. By studying them you will improve your technique and your overal skill as well as gaining an insight into the way of the Samurai. Much information that has been forgotten is not lost but merely mislaid, seek for it as I have done and your patience and effort will be well rewarded.

Contents

The Author
The Sword in History
The Peaceful Years
The Shogun's Sword Tester
The Development of Swordsmanship
Ichimonji Suburi
Go Ho Batto Ho
Shodan No Kata
Nidan No Kata
Tameshigiri
Sword Care show less