Title: Flashing Steel, 25th Anniversary Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship
Author: Masayuki Shimabukuro and Leonard Pellman
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Format: Paperback
Pages: 572, 10 in x 8 in
Cover Price: $34.95
ISBN: 978-1623175030
Content
The late Shimabukuro Masayuki Hidenobu (1948-2012) was the 21st sōshihan (headmaster) of Masaoka-Ha Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu. Born in Japan but later becoming a naturalized American citizen, professor Shimabukuro trained in jūdō, kendō, and Shōrinji Kempō. Then beginning Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu under the tutelage of the style’s 20th sōshihan, Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa. Leonard J. Pellman (1952-) first trained in jūdō in 1966 and began learning kendō as an exchange student in Japan in 1968. Later he began training iaijutsu with Shimabukuro Hanshi in 1988. He later opened his own dōjō, the Nippon Budō Seishin-Kan, in 1989, and continues to serve as its dōjō-chō (chief instructor), teaching iaijutsu, jōjutsu, kenjutsu, and aiki-jūjutsu, in addition to karate-dō and Okinawa kobujutsu.
The pair published the first edition of Flashing Steel in 1995, and a rewritten and re-photographed second edition in 2008. This 25th anniversary edition, published 12 years after the 2008 version, is a massive book. Both the second and third editions feature 10 inch x 8 inch layouts. While the second offers a healthy 338 pages, the third delivers a whopping 572 pages. I’m surprised to see a book of this size with a cover price of only $34.95, especially given the discounts available online! In addition to over five chapters of new content, the entire book has been scrutinized for improvements. Although the second edition was a clean book with clear photographs, the third seems to provide a higher quality paper and ever clearer photographs.
Pros
Masaoka-Ha Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu is a form of sword combat. The book’s glossary defines iai as “face-to-face” and jutsu as “art,” with iaijutsu then defined as “the art of iai.” Readers are probably familiar with iaijutsu as “the art of swordsmanship in face-to-face combat,” as defined at the start of the chapter on history. Masaoka-Ha refers to the Masaoka faction or sect, Musō Jikiden means peerless and directly transmitted, and Eishin-Ryū means the school or style of Eishin. Eishin refers to the samurai Hasegawa Chikara-no-suke Hidenobu (circa 1700-1775), known today as Hasegawa Eishin, who founded the system.
With the style’s name decoded, let’s talk about the book! It is beautifully formatted and easy to read. In many places it uses the “small multiples” style for kata photos, such as pages with 12 pictures for single person movements or 8 pictures for two-person movements. The text is clearly written and covers history, philosophy, sword nomenclature, training progression, preparation, etiquette, fundamentals, multiple kata, test cutting, and specifics of the style’s operation. The authors are clear that one cannot learn their style from a book alone. That a book serves as a reference for practitioners and a resource for enthusiasts.
Cons
I have very few concerns with this book. Those of us who already own the second edition might be wondering if it’s worthwhile to upgrade. The answer is yes, and I don’t even practice iaijutsu! I bought the older edition after an introductory course on kendo. I wanted to learn more about Japanese swordsmanship, and the second edition was highly recommended. This third edition covers even more material and in such a manner that I find its historical aspects attractive enough to purchase.
Conclusion
I give this book 5 out of 5 ninja stars.
After publishing the second edition of Flashing Steel, professor Shimabukuro passed away. Subsequently, Professor Pellman led the writing of the third edition. In the new introduction, professor Pellman writes “This is likely to be the final edition of Flashing Steel… By the time another edition is due, he [Pellman] may no longer be living.” He notes that his “health and stamina are fading,” and that the future belongs to the 22nd sōshihan, Carl E. Long. Similar to professor Pellman, professor Long (1955-) trained in Shōrin-Ryū karate-dō and aikidō. Before also beginning iaijutsu training with Shimabukuro Hanshi. I have seen similar books in the cybersecurity space outlive their original authors, and I would like that tradition to continue with this book!
Note: I would like to thank Blue Snake Books for providing me a review copy of the third edition, after hearing I had just purchased a copy of the second edition.
Check out my other book reviews here on Martial Jornal.
- Book Review: Worth Defending - November 25, 2020
- Book Review: See You on the Mat - November 24, 2020
- Book Review: Flashing Steel, 25th Anniversary Edition - November 23, 2020
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