Preface

This long awaited publication marks the first printed effort to disseminate the teachings and philosophy of Shinkendo to students all over the world. It has been several years in the planning, and I believe will prove to be beneficial to those who study it. While current students of Shinkendo wil stand to gain the most from this book, practitioners of other arts will also find some principles in common, and possibly new principles previously unrealized.

All major aspects of Shinkendo are introduced in this first volume. However, because of space limitations, each of these aspects will need to be isolated and thoroughly explained in other books to follow.

Please keep in mind that studying from books and videos is not adequate, and qualified instruction should be sought by those seriously interested in pursuing swordsmanship or other martial arts. There have been many cases of injuries and accidents in swordsmanship in recent years, and it would greatly pain me for Shinkendo to fall victim to this unfortunate circumstance.

Obata has written several other books--Samurai Aikijutsu, Crimson Steel, & Naked Blade

Contents

Preface, Author's Biography
Part One: Japanese History and Martial Arts
Chapter One: The Sword in Japanese History
Chapter Two: Bujutsu and Budo
Part Two: The Essence of Shinkendo
Chapter Three: Origin and Principles of Shinkendo
Chapter Four: Kuyo Junikun
Chapter Five: Etiquette
Part Three: Shinkendo Techniques
Chapter Six: Overview
Chapter Seven: Suburi
Chapter Eight: Battoho
Goho Battoho Kihon Ichi Ipponme
Goho Battoho Kihon Ichi Nihonme
Goho Battoho Kihon Ichi Sanbonme
Goho Battoho Kihon Ichi Yonhonme
Goho Battoho Kihon Ichi Gohonme
Chapter Nine: Shinkendo Tanrengata
Happogiri
Shoden no kata
Kagami-ishi usen
Kagami-ishi sasen
Chapter Ten: Tachiuchi
Ryusui ichi
Ryusui ni
Ryusui san
Juppon-dachi
Chapter Eleven: Tameshigiri
Glossary