Product Review

Rise to the next level of sword mastery with this three-DVD set! In Advanced Samurai Swordsmanship, Japanese sword master Masayuki Shimabukuro and his senior student, Carl E. Long, delve deeper into the elegance of body-and-weapon movement that defines personal mastery of the legendary samurai sword. This three-disc martial arts collection includes the following: expert development of footwork, agility and body movement, mastery drills for timing, blocking and drawing, deep-level practice of kata (forms) and two-man sparring, precision-cutting demonstrations and on-screen glossary of samurai swordsmanship terminology. Masayuki Shimabukuro is an eighth-dan in muso jikiden eishin-ryu iaijutsu and a Black Belt Hall of Fame member (2006 Weapons Instructor of the Year). He has received official appointment by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai as the organization s international representative for iaido and battodo. Carl E. Long is the vice chairman and director for the Jikishin-Kai International, overseeing certification of its North American, South American and European instructors. He is a five-time recipient of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai s yushu-sho, one of the highest awards granted for the performance of iaido.