The First and Only English Translation of a Once Secret Samurai Swordsmanship Manual
For centuries, the inner teachings of Ono-ha Itt¿-ry¿-one of Japan's oldest and most revered schools of samurai swordsmanship-were passed down orally from master to disciple. Now, for the first time, these secret lessons are available in English.
Secrets of Itt¿-ry¿: Book Five presents the confidential fighting principles of Sasamori Junz¿, 16th headmaster of Ono-ha Itt¿-ry¿ and a legendary figure in the world of budo. First published in Japan in 1965, this volume reveals the practical combat strategies passed down to Junz¿ from his teachers (a process called, kuden) at the heart of this 400-year-old tradition-a system that profoundly influenced modern martial arts such as kendo, aikido, and Dait¿-ry¿ aikijujutsu.
Sasamori, a direct inheritor of several classical samurai schools and an 8th Dan and Hanshi in kendo, distills over seventy years of experience into this in-depth exploration of combat strategy, sword technique, and martial philosophy.
Inside This Volume:The school's oral teachings as passed down to Sasamori by kendo greats such as Takano Sasabur¿, Nait¿ Takaharu, Ogawa Kinnosuke, and others-organized into five key themes
Detailed guidance on posture (kamae), perception (metsuke), distance, timing, setup, and finishing techniques
Instruction on advanced strategy concepts like aiki, and the application of cutting and thrusting techniques in real combat scenarios
Philosophical frameworks including Heaven-Earth-Man, Yin-Yang, and the Five Element Theory, and how they shape the doctrine of the school
A rare historical correspondence between Yamaga Takayoshi and Nakanishi Ch¿z¿ discussing the value-and limitations-of competitive practice
With annotations by Mark Hague, the highest-ranking non-Japanese practitioner of mainline Ono-ha Itt¿-ry¿ and direct student of Sasamori Takemi, this book offers not just translation but context-making complex classical teachings accessible and relevant.
Whether you're a martial artist, historian, or student of Japanese culture, this book offers unparalleled access to a foundational school of samurai strategy and swordsmanship.
A portion of proceeds supports the Reigakudo Foundation in Japan, helping preserve classical martial arts for future generations.
Sprache
Maße
Höhe: 229 mm
Breite: 152 mm
Dicke: 12 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
979-8-9872421-3-1 (9798987242131)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Sasamori Junz¿ (1886-1976) is perhaps most well-known in Japan's martial arts community for his work in keeping the U.S. occupation authorities under General Douglas MacArthur from completely banning the practice of kendo. His efforts placed him in the annals of Japanese history as one of the saviors of Japan's martial arts. His life was much more than just the martial arts, however. He worked as a reporter for newspapers and political magazines in Japan and the U.S., served as the chancellor of two educational institutions, was a statesman who served in the legislature, the cabinet, and ministerial posts for over two decades, and founded his own Christian church in Tokyo. Born into a samurai family a little over a decade after the samurai class was abolished, Junz¿ was a key link between the modern world and Japan's samurai past.
