Flashing Steel, Second Edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship Paperback – January 15, 2008

The Second Edition of Flashing Steel is the last Authentic edition authorized and published with the input of Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi, the 21st generation SoShihan (Headmaster) of the Masaoka lineage of Seito Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Heiho.It is important to note that no book is able to teach someone this, or any other martial art. At best, a book serves as a support or memory tool for direct, in person instruction with a qualified teacher. Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, in particular, puts a lot of emphasis on direct instruction...it's in the name. Muso means "unmatched or unsurpassed", Jikiden means "direct transmission" Eishin is the name of the 7th generation headmaster of the line, Ryu is often translated as "school" but also implies an unending "flow" or "current" of knowledge. Since the late 1500's this style has passed from teacher to student, from Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu down to the current headmaster, Carl Long, in direct, face to face instruction. This tradition must continue.As such, the most important part of Flashing Steel is not the photos and descriptions of technique, which are really only there to support in person instruction. Rather, the most important parts are the discussions of the philosophy, ideals and history of the art and why, and how it should be approached and practiced. For that information alone, the first and second editions of Flashing Steel are valuable to the student of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.The third edition is not.The subsequent third edition was published without his input and containing information expressly forbidden by him and his chosen heir and successor, 22nd Generation SoShihan Carl E. Long.Mr. Pelman is not a qualified instructor of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, nor has he ever been awarded the rank he claims from Shimabukuro Sensei. His interpretations of higher level Eishin Ryu technique is rife with errors, some of them fundamental. There is a reason why said techniques are only taught to the most advanced students, directly by the Soshihan, because persons with lesser dedication and understanding are not able to understand them. Mr. Pellman's lack of understanding is demonstrated in his 3rd edition abomination, simply by his having dared to publish it in violation of the wishes of his former teacher, the current headmaster, and 500 years of unbroken, direct transmission, tradition. DO NOT buy the third edition if you wish to better understand Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. Buy the first or second editions of Flashing Steel instead and find an actual, certified instructor of Shimabukuro Sensei's lineage under Carl Long Soshihan and the Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai.

There is a lot of great stuff in Flashing Steel, but there are also a few things to consider before purchasing. The back cover claims, "Flashing Steel is the most comprehensive guide available in iaijutsu...." when in fact its not. It also says, "...with ten partner exercises applying iaido principles in realistic attack and defense situations." I personally wouldn't say they are realistic at all. All that aside, the book is really geared towards beginner to intermediate iaido practitioners and here it delivers.If you are unfamiliar with Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu, it is a sword art that places tremendous emphasis on attention to detail and precision for mental and spiritual discipline. In fact, this book makes a point of clearly stating the art is not geared toward combat but rather on self-cultivation."The fact that you will probably never engage in a real sword battle may, paradoxically, be the greatest benefit of sword training! Those who train in martial arts that have obvious practical application...too often find themselves so involved in developing skill in the physical self-defense applications of their art that they overlook their mental and spiritual training." (p11)This statement is both very honest and very accurate. The book continues, "...as a martial art that is highly ritualized, moderately paced, and without obvious street-application, iaijutsu provides an ideal environment in which to refine mental and spiritual discipline." Heijoshin is difficult to translate but is roughly equivalent to a 'serene yet fully alert state of mind'. This is the goal of this art.As to the techniques and 42-katas shown, they are very basic and pretty much use the same Nukitsuke (drawing cut), Chiburi (blood removal), and the same Noto (resheathing). To be fair he briefly demonstrates the Chiburi/Noto variation preferred by Katori Shinto Ryu (and myself) but he does not use this in his kata. There is a decent but still slightly lacking description on Kokyu (breath control) and the waza (techniques) are shown from both seiza (kneeling posture) and kamae (stance). The two-man sequences take up a lot of space and the only real value to them from my perspective is to illustrate range, which could have been done with greater economy had that been the author's intention.Beginners may have some trouble following the b/w sequence images for the waza as there are brief actions missing that may not be understood, but as far as martial art books go its not too bad here. I love iaido, but in practice if you are seeking spiritual development, less than a decade of diligent Ashtanga yoga will accomplish more than a lifetime of iaido.Unfortunately the Search Inside feature is not up. The table of contents include:1) History p12) Philosophy p113) Eyes of a Samurai p314) Sword Nomenclature p475) Progression of Training p516) Preparation & Etiquette p637) Fundamentals p858) Omori-ryu Seiza Waza p1239) Chuden Tatehiza (crouching) Waza p15110) Okuden Tatehiza Waza p17511) Okuden Suwariwaza p20912) Tachiuchi (standing) no Kurai p22313) Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iai Kata p25314) Tameshigiri (cutting) p22315) Summary of Eishin-ryu p29916) Promotion Guidelines p30317) Tournament Participation p30918) The Way to Victorious Life p317App A: Samurai no Kokoro-e p333App B: Supplemental MaterialsThe author has the correct positive martial message, and I was continually impressed by this fact. If you are studying Eishin-ryu or plan to in the future, this is an essential guide.

I have read many martial arts books over the years and found this one of the most satisfying. It is so well-written it was actually exciting to read. My yellow highlighter streaks nearly every page. The instructions and photographs are exceptionally clear. The first third of the book (of 338 pp.) deals with fundamentals--and I'm not talking about stance and strikes. The authors offer the clearest summary of martial arts philosophy I've ever read, covering its spiritual basis, attitude and a student's appropriate progression. For example, technique should progress "big-strong-fast-light," meaning get the basic form down accurately, learn to do it well (with power), then speed and lightness will come almost effortlessly and, with repetition will increase one's power and accuracy. These contextual explanations help considerably when doing the techniques.The dual authorship by a Japanese and an American master, who have worked together for decades, greatly enhances the book's presentation. The use of annoyingly obscure (to us English-speakers)Japanese words and phrases is not overdone, as in many martial arts books and is always clearly explained. I don't actually do iajustsu or iado, but this book has helped considerably with my kenjustu practice and bokken workouts.This book is so much better than Nicklaus Suino's "The Art of Japanese Swordship" (on the same Eishin-Ryu Iado), but that's another review.