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The Twelve Rules of the Sword Paperback – August 28, 2018

by Ito Ittosai (Author), Eric Shahan (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 191 ratings
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A translation of two books on the philosophy of the Itto School of Sword Fighting. Book 1: The Twelve Rules of the Sword. Book 2: The Sword Manual of Kanamaki Jizai. The first is attributed to Ito Ittosai the legendary swordsman of the 16th century. Ittosai travelled the country and fought the head students of 33 schools, winning every time. The second is a 16th century instruction manual attributed to Ittosai's teacher Kanamaki Jizai. These books are essential for understanding the development of traditional Japanese sword arts and Kendo.
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  1. Print length
    115 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 28, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.26 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1720715645
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1720715641
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 28, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 115 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1720715645
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1720715641
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.26 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 191 ratings

About the author

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eric shahan

eric shahan

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Eric Shahan is an independent translator of Japanese books on a variety of topics mainly Jujutsu, sword techniques, police manuals, Karate, Ninja related, travel guides, Edo Era Manga, rope binding, tattooing in all areas of Japan and Seppuku.

After moving to Japan in 2002 he taught himself Japanese and began translating books in 2010 with the publication of Ninjutsu no Gokui "The Essence of Ninjutsu." Eric followed up with translations of Jujutsu, Kenjutsu and Karate books in addition to 18th century comic stories as well as Japanese police and military manuals.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
191 global ratings
Damage is just an additional feature that is applied.
1 Star
Damage is just an additional feature that is applied.
I'm not sure how you damage a soft cover but obviously it has been done. Spine is moderately damaged and book is expanded from water damage.
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Top reviews from the United States

Alvar
5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday Gift
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
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I bought this for someone else. It's a short read though and I managed to sneak a read for myself before gifting it off. It's a really fascinating book as a historical piece because it shows images of the original documents and discusses the context and translation. I thought it looked like a cool gift idea but I'm also into Japanese martial arts history and so this book really grabbed my attention as I read it. I've never heard of the book before seeing it on Amazon. I rate books with price in mind as well but the lack of content here is understandable as it is focused on a historical document, so $12 seems okay for what you're getting. It's entertaining if you're curious about historical documents of Japan, but I think most people would be disinterested in the content. I'll probably buy a copy for myself later on. The advice given in the book is more technical than philosophical, so it's not like other popular samurai books, but some of the advice can be applied to situational thinking. I really liked the book personally, as I was in Bujinkan at one time and did some kenjutsu. It's a great gift for anyone into Japanese swordsmanship or history.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for aficionados of the sword.
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021
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It took a little work to understand the philosophy expressed, being an occidental sword master in the film industry, but my respect for Japanese swords and the Samurai who believed they were part of their soul, made the exploration very worthwhile.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is Awesome!
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020
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I read this book five out of five because I thought it was awesome it has cool sword techniques and Concepts. If you like Samurai stuff and swordsmanship this is a good read
3 people found this helpful
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Aaron Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Looks well.
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023
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I am not a sword warrior or a warrior at all. Been hurt before more then twice. Yet, but no matter what. It must have been ruff life, in the olden years.
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Steven mullen
5.0 out of 5 stars This is high level stuff.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2018
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Eric shahan is making so much amazing material available to the english speaking world. This book will join my collection of treasures he has produced in recent years. The principles contained in this book are so deep I feel it will take me years to begin to grasp them.
9 people found this helpful
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Alfonso E. Martinez
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading.
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2020
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I liked it. I like marshal arts.
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Alan Fuchs
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2020
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Exactly what I wanted.
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Edward M. Van Court
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting insights into the theory and philosophy of Japanese sword play
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2019
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Don't expect much specifics on technique and you won't be disappointed.
This book is several interpretations of a work from the 19th century, "The 12 Rules of the Sword", along with some spells or meditations, and a work claiming to be a transcription of a 17th century text. Note that all of this postdates Musashi's "Book of Five Rings".
The 12 rules are more memory aids than instruction. They discuss concepts without much detail, but "Horizontal, Vertical, Above, & Below" and "Interval Between You and Your Opponent" do give some practical principles of physical action. "The Color of Things" is about being in the moment. and reminding the student that combat is not the moment for reflection or to seek meaning with a drawn sword in your hand.
Overall, it was interesting, but not one that merits the multiple readings the way the "Book of Five Rings" does.

E.M. Van Court
13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Mikael Bauer
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Edo period source but needs editing + revision
Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2022
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The original work itself is an interesting example of Edo literature, exhibiting neo-confucian influence and the expected focus of Chinese references. The introduction is fine for the novice reader perhaps, but the text is in need of better annotation and referencing. The translation is not always accurate, with errors throughout. It does capture the general meaning.
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Emmanuel Wietzel
2.0 out of 5 stars Auto edited notes from the manuscripts?
Reviewed in France on April 29, 2021
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Very disappointed by the overall quality of the picturial content. The coherence of the work seems also a bit awkward to me.
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Ramon Carbo-Dorca
3.0 out of 5 stars Un documento histórico
Reviewed in Spain on July 21, 2019
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Debido a su contenido ni debe gustarte ni debe repelerte. Es así como es y nada más. Un documento que muestra una de las tradiciones del Japón, relacionada con el arte del manejo de la espada y su interrelación con el budismo y la espiritualidad oriental.
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Sander Anseeuw
5.0 out of 5 stars Insights into the minds of master swordsmen
Reviewed in Germany on November 26, 2019
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Interesting thoughts from a time when centimeters and split seconds meant the difference between life and death.
Valuable to practitioners of the way of the sword as wel as everyday life, business,...
For those who also study Japanese language and kanji, it's nice the original texts are included.
2 people found this helpful
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Cosmic Hare
5.0 out of 5 stars nice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2019
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An interesting book for sure. Some useful tips for modern martial artists too. I owned the hagakure many years ago and I like this one, not as much but is still a good addition. If you like this kind of book, you won't be disappointed. It's short, but the lessons are interesting.
One person found this helpful
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