09/01/2025
I am pleased to announce that the latest volume of the Secrets of Itto-ryu (Itto-ryu Gokui) is out.
Secrets of Ittō-ryū: Book Five is the fifth installment of the translation of the Itto-ryu Gokui and covers the teachings of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū passed down orally to Sasamori Junzo, the 16th Soke of the school. Book Five builds upon Book Four, which covers in detail the contents of the school's licenses.
Book Five breaks the teachings down into two chapters:
The first covers more practical aspects of the art, such as detailed descriptions of the kamae, how to observe your opponent, timing and distance, and the nuances of attacking and cutting.
The second chapter covers more esoteric aspects of the art, such as its relationship to Heaven, Earth, Man, Ying-Yang theory etc. This chapter also contains letters between Yamaga Takayoshi and Nakanishi Chuzo, where they discuss the pros and cons of kata training vs competitive practice with shinai.
This book is available at Amazon here: https://a.co/d/1LhyChg
You can also get it directly from the publisher’s website here (not Amazon): www.alkaidresearch.com
For centuries, the inner teachings of —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. presents the confidential fighting principles of , 16t...
