{"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\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Alkaid Research LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798987242131\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 214\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.64lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.45d","brand":"Junzo Sasamori","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51730199314613,"sku":"9798987242131","price":25.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_275b0f3b-114c-479f-9143-5f1efaa3523e.jpg?v=1758004511","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/secrets-of-itto-ryu-book-five-9798987242131","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}