The Spirit of the Sword: Iaido, Kendo, and Test Cutting with the Japanese Sword
“The Spirit of the Sword was a great joy for me to read; I now have the immense satisfaction of finally understanding Nakamura Taisaburo’s thoughts on swordsmanship. Gavin J. Poffley has done a masterful job of accurately translating Nakamura sensei’s philosophy, technical explanations, and anecdotes, capturing the nuances and subtlety of his instruction; it is a beautiful and captivating book that should be on the shelf of everyone who is interested in practical swordsmanship.”—Guy Power, Renshi seventh dan, Okuden Menjo and Densho, Nakamura Ryu “Finally, some insight into Japanese swordsmanship from a truly original source! Powerfully written and authentic,The Spirit of the Swordis a book that can be read every year for deeper meaning.”—Bob Elder, seventh dan, Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iai Do Renmei “The same power and directness that made his swordsmanship luminous shines through this text—the fruits of a natural genius, forged in the heat of battle and further refined through decades of intense investigation. Nakamura sensei’s commitment to swordsmanship was born from the knowledge that his superior skills had saved him three times from postings that had cost the lives of fellow instructors. This book was written in their honor and in the hope that future generations might stay true to the principles of combat that keep these arts truly martial.”—John Maki Evans, seventh dan Nakamura Ryu; author ofKurikara: The Sword and the Serpent