Secrets of Itto Ryu: Book Five by Junzo Sasamori

Secrets of Itto Ryu: Book Five by Junzo Sasamori

£27.00 GBP
£31.00 GBP £27.00 GBP
Shipping calculated at checkout.

The First and Only English Translation of a Once Secret Samurai Swordsmanship Manual

For centuries, the inner teachings of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū—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.

Secrets of Ittō-ryū: Book Five presents the confidential fighting principles of Sasamori Junzō, 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, kuden) 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.

Sasamori, 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.

Inside This Volume:

  • The school’s oral teachings as passed down to Sasamori by kendo greats such as Takano Sasaburō, Naitō Takaharu, Ogawa Kinnosuke, and others—organized into five key themes
  • Detailed guidance on posture (kamae), perception (metsuke), distance, timing, setup, and finishing techniques
  • Instruction on advanced strategy concepts like aiki, and the application of cutting and thrusting techniques in real combat scenarios
  • Philosophical frameworks including Heaven-Earth-Man, Yin-Yang, and the Five Element Theory, and how they shape the doctrine of the school
  • A rare historical correspondence between Yamaga Takayoshi and Nakanishi Chūzō discussing the value—and limitations—of competitive practice

With 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.

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.

About the Author

Sasamori Junzō (1886-1976) was the headmaster (sōke) of the ancient Japanese martial arts of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, Chokugen-ryū naginata, and Shinmusō Hayashizaki-ryū iado. He also achieved the rank of 8th dan in kendo. He gained fame within Japan's martial arts community for his work in keeping the authorities under General Douglas MacArthur from completely banning the practice of kendo during the U.S.' postwar occupation of Japan, efforts that cemented his place in the annals of Japanese history as one of the saviors of Japan's martial arts. His life was much more than just the sword, 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, serving 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.

Language: English

Length: 272 pages

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)