The first and only English translation of the once secret text on samurai swordsmanship by Sasamori Junzō, headmaster of the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū.
Since it was first published in Japan in 1965, the Secrets of Ittō-ryū (Ittō-ryū Gokui) has served as the essential text of Ittō-ryū, one of the oldest and most prestigious schools of samurai strategy and swordsmanship in Japan. Readers unfamiliar with this school and its history will be surprised by how much it influenced the techniques and philosophy of the modern martial arts of kendo, aikido, and others.
The author, Sasamori Junzō, was born into a samurai family a little over a decade after the warrior class was abolished. Well-known in the west as an expert in the sport of kendo, he was also the headmaster of three traditional schools of Japanese martial arts, chief among them Ono-ha Ittō-ryū. This book, Secrets of Ittō-ryū, distills his over seventy years of practice and painstaking study of not only the physical techniques but also the philosophical background and history of this 400-year-old school of fencing.
This book, the first in a series, covers:
- An overview of Sasamori Junzō’s remarkable life and legacy.
- The history of Ittō-ryū, from its roots in the Chujō-ryū to the present day, to include a lineage chart of its mainline, branches, and factions.
- Details about the lives, adventures, and duels of Itō Ittōsai Kagehisa and his successor, Ono Jirōemon Tadaaki.
- A who’s-who of Japanese historical figures related to the school, including shoguns, samurai, sword masters, philosophers, strategists, statesmen, and other luminaries such as: Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Kanemaki Jisai, Obata Kagenori, Yamaga Sokō, Yamaoka Tesshū, and others.
- Ono-ha Ittō-ryū’s influence on the development of modern kendo.
- Historical records, correspondence, and notes documenting the lineage of the school, presented in English for the first time.
With an extensive introduction and notes by the translator, Mark Hague, a long-time student of the author’s son Sasamori Takemi and the highest-ranking member of mainline Ono-ha Ittō-ryū outside of Japan, this highly readable translation is sure to become a key reference to those interested in Japanese culture, history, and the martial arts.
About the Author
Language: English
Length: 184 pages
Professional packing and fast shipping
Our long-standing relationship with UPS FedEx DHL and other carriers around the world allows us to offer various shipping options. Our warehouse staff are highly educated to pack your items exactly according to the specifications that we supply. Before shipping, all goods will be thoroughly examined and secured. We deliver to thousands of clients every day from all over the world. This is a sign of our commitment to be the biggest online retailer in the world. Warehouses and distribution centers can be located throughout Europe as well as in the USA.
Please note that orders with multiple items are subject to a processing period that is based to the specific item.
We will thoroughly inspect all products before they are shipped. Currently, most orders are delivered within 48 hours. Delivery time ranges between 3-7 days.
Returns
We don't control the inventory in our warehouse and factory. The stock levels may fluctuate at any time. It's possible that your order could become unfulfilled once you've placed your order.
Our policy lasts for 30 days. If you have passed 30 days without a trace since the purchase and we are unable to offer you a return or exchange.
Your item must be in its original packaging and be unused. You must have the item in its original packaging.
Related products
