{"product_id":"secrets-of-itto-ryu-book-five-9798987242131","title":"Secrets of Itto-ryu: Book Five","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe First and Only English Translation of a Once Secret Samurai Swordsmanship Manual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor centuries, the inner teachings of \u003cstrong\u003eOno-ha Ittō-ryū\u003c\/strong\u003e-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSecrets of Ittō-ryū Book Five\u003c\/em\u003e presents the confidential fighting principles of \u003cstrong\u003eSasamori Junzō\u003c\/strong\u003e, 16th headmaster of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū 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 Junzō from his teachers (a process called, \u003cem\u003ekuden\u003c\/em\u003e) at the heart of this 400-year-old tradition-a system that profoundly influenced modern martial arts such as kendo, aikido, and Daitō-ryū aikijujutsu.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSasamori, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eInside This Volume: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe school's oral teachings as passed down to Sasamori by kendo greats such as \u003cstrong\u003eTakano Sasaburō\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eNaitō Takaharu\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eOgawa Kinnosuke\u003c\/strong\u003e, and others-organized into five key themes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed guidance on posture (\u003cem\u003ekamae\u003c\/em\u003e), perception (\u003cem\u003emetsuke\u003c\/em\u003e), distance, timing, setup, and finishing techniques\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstruction on advanced strategy concepts like \u003cstrong\u003eaiki\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the application of cutting and thrusting techniques in real combat scenarios\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilosophical frameworks including Heaven-Earth-Man, Yin-Yang, and the Five Element Theory, and how they shape the doctrine of the school\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA rare historical correspondence between \u003cstrong\u003eYamaga Takayoshi\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eNakanishi Chūzō\u003c\/strong\u003e discussing the value-and limitations-of competitive practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith annotations by Mark Hague, the highest-ranking non-Japanese practitioner of mainline Ono-ha Ittō-ryū and direct student of Sasamori Takemi, this book offers not just translation but context-making complex classical teachings accessible and relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eA portion of proceeds supports the Reigakudo Foundation in Japan, \u003c\/strong\u003e helping preserve classical martial arts for future generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSasamori, Junzo:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Sasamori Junzō (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, Junzō was a key link between the modern world and Japan's samurai past.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHague, Mark:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Mark Hague's martial arts career has spanned over 42 years, 19 of which in Japan, and he holds dan rankings in several styles of karate and aiki-jujitsu. He started training in Ono-ha Ittō-ryū in the Reigakudō under Sasamori Takemi in 2002 and was awarded the Kana license in 2009. He continues to practice Ono-ha Ittō-ryū under the current sōke, Yabuki Yūji. His translations include the Amazon bestselling series, Secrets of Ittō-ryū by Sasamori Junzō and Ono-ha Ittō-ryū Patriarch's Collection: Sword and Document Compendium, by Yabuki Yūji.","brand":"Alkaid Research LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51777667957010,"sku":"9798987242131","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a874953f-15b0-4b52-b277-0a28b2c6c3fc.jpg?v=1765362743","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/secrets-of-itto-ryu-book-five-9798987242131","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}