eric shahan

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About eric shahan

Hi, I've been living, studying and training in Japan for over 15 years. My goal is to share some of the cool, fascinating and mysterious teachings that can be found in Japanese martial arts manuals. For the most part these books have never been translated before. Thanks for your interest!

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Karate Jutsu: Kumite Jan 16, 2019

by Motobu Choki, eric shahan

( 161 )

$12.95

A translation of an early book on Okinawan Karate. Reprints the Japanese book with an English translation and notes on the opposite page.
Also includes a translation of The Ten Articles of Karate by Anko Itosu as well as a poem on Karate by Funakoshi Gichin.

Other Formats: Paperback

Kuji Mar 27, 2022

by Fujita Seiko, Eric Shahan

( 26 )

$16.99

A translation of Fujita Seiko's 1962 book on Kuji, the Nine Seals. Kuji are a kind of ancient magic spell used to invoke various deities to surround the practitioner with protection and power. Its roots are shrouded in mystery, and it exists in many various incarnations.
The author is Fujita Seiko, a Ninja of the Koga School, describes the proper way to make Kuji. He also includes several variations and additional characters that can be added for specific protection.
The Kuji is associated with Ninja however it was used by both Samurai and monks as well as ordinary Japanese people for protection as they travelled. This type of magic has a long history in Japan.
First time in English.

Other Formats: Paperback

The Hundred Rules of War Jan 5, 2018

by Tsukahara Bokuden, eric shahan

( 72 )

$9.95

A book by a veteran Samurai to young warriors who had not tasted battle. The man known as a sword saint, Tsukahara Bokuden 1489-1571, composed this work seventy-five years before Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings. Bokuden studied Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto School and later founded the Kashima Shinto School of sword fighting. This book, which consists of a hundred songs, was transmitted to Samurai who had not yet fought in battle. In the early 1600s a forward was written by the Zen Priest Takuan Soho. Later the eighth Tokugawa Shogun Yoshimune added an introduction. This is the first English translation of this work and it is presented beside the original Japanese brush script. The English will be on the facing page.
According to the afterward, for several generations this document was only transmitted to only one other person.

Other Formats: Paperback

A Collection of Curious Jujutsu Manuals: Volume 4 Apr 1, 2022

by Eric Shahan

( 3 )

$11.99

A collection of previously unpublished Jujutsu and Judo books and articles. Translated to English for the first time.
This volume includes:

1. 拳法図 An Illustrated Guide to Kenpo
Copied by Fujita Seiko (Edo Era)
2. 當流・伝書
Toh School Densho (Edo Era)
3. 明治時代新聞記事 Jujutsu in the News
Newspaper Articles (1870 ~ 1880)
4. 兵法要務：柔術剣棒図解秘訣 Fundamentals of Military Strategy
By Inoguchi Matsunosuke
Part III : Standing Techniques (1887)
5. 乱捕活法柔術教科書 Free Sparring, Resuscitation & Jujutsu
By Inoguchi Yoshitame
Part III Throwing Techniques (1912)
6. 米國大統領の柔道教師山下義韶及び柔道の海外發展
By Yokoyama Kendo
Yamashita Yoshitsugu: Judo Teacher to President Roosevelt (1943)

Other Formats: Paperback

Jujutsu 1913 Aug 12, 2020

by Noguchi Senryuken, Eric Shahan

( 51 )

$14.99

A Jujutsu instruction manual for the Shinto Rikugo School, which was a blend of six different classical Jujutsu schools published in Japan in 1913. This school was set up to compete with the popular Kodokan Judo. Jujutsu 1913 was one of the earliest Japanese martial arts guides to use photographs to show how to do techniques. Jujutsu 1913 contains 200 black and white photographs and illustrations showing the proper way to set up various throws, sweeps, chokes and grappling techniques. The titles and descriptions have all been translated into English for the first time. An invaluable look into how Jujutsu was taught in the pre-war era. An excellent book for Jujutsu (Jiujitsu), Judo, BJJ or Japanese martial arts researchers or practitioners.

Other Formats: Paperback

The Shadow School of Sword Jan 4, 2022

by Aisu Ikosai, Eric Shahan

( 7 )

$24.99

Aisu Kage Ryu, The Aisu Shadow School of Sword, was founded by Aisu Hisatada (1452-1537.) It is considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Schools of Sword Fighting. Following its founding in the 1480's, the Shadow School of Sword began to spread all over the Kyushu Island and even the Wakou Japanese pirates that prowled the waters around the Korean Peninsula and the shores of China studied it. The Kenjutsu used by these Wakou Japanese pirates was apparently quite feared in China at the time.The purpose of this book is to present a translation of four 16th century scrolls from the Aisu Kage School in order to see the kind of documents passed down in this martial arts tradition.Scroll 1 Enpi Mokuroku : Leaping Monkey CatalogueA Mokuroku is a catalogue of techniques and by receiving it a student has been designated to have attained a certain level of proficiency. This scroll contains 11 techniques and begins with Enpi, Leaping Monkey. An earlier version of this scroll fell into the hands of the Chinese navy, who seized it from Wakou Japanese pirates that had been launching raids on the coastal areas. Apparently the fighting style of the pirates as well as the scroll made such an impression on the Chinese reproduced it in military strategy volumes for decades afterward.Scroll 2 Tengu no Maki : Tengu ScrollThis is a very exciting looking scroll. It does not have a title , however since it contains 12 techniques with a human figure paired with Tengu, Japanese Mountain goblins, I refer to it as The Tengu Scroll. The Tengu are not generalized, instead Tengu from all over Japan are included. The human figure holds a Tachi however the Tengu are armed with a variety of spears as well as two Kodachi, short swords.Scroll 3 Shiai no Tachi : The Dueling SwordThis scroll features humans holding a variety of weapons including Nagamaki, Tachi and Kodachi.

Other Formats: Paperback

The Twelve Rules of the Sword Jan 13, 2019

by Ito Ittosai, eric shahan

( 151 )

$11.95

A translation of two books on the philosophy of the Itto School of Sword Fighting. 1. The Twelve Rules of the Sword2. The Sword Manual of Kanamaki JizaiThe 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.

Other Formats: Paperback

Koto Ryu: Striking Techniques of the Tiger Felling School Jan 4, 2021

by Ueno Takashi, Eric Shahan

( 25 )

$29.99

Translation of a Jujutsu document from the Koto Ryu "Tiger Felling School."

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

The Japanese Pirate Sword Apr 2, 2022

by Cheng Zongyou, Eric Shahan

( 6 )

$11.99

A translation of the 400 year old Chinese sword manual 單刀法選 Dandaofa Xuan. At the time, Wakou, Japanese pirates, were raiding the coast of China. The pirates used their razor sharp swords and unconventional fighting style to frustrate any attempts to subdue the constant attacks. Eventually, after capturing documents related to Japanese sword fighting and finding people who had trained with Japanese sword masters.

The author Cheng Zongyou 程宗猷, trained at the Shaolin temple for 10 years before he began writing illustrated manuals about martial arts. He also studied under a Chinese master swordsman who had leaned directly from a Japanese master. With that knowledge he wrote a book about how the Japanese sword was crafted and the way it should be used. The training sequence introduced by Cheng in his book is the earliest known method for learning the Japanese sword.

Other Formats: Paperback

Karate Kenpo The Art of Self Defense Oct 26, 2020

by Mabuni Kenwa, Eric Shahan

( 26 )

$19.99

A translation and reproduction of Mabuni Kenwa's 1934 book on Karate fundamentals, training and philosophy.Mabuni Kenwa (1889 - 1952) was born in Okinawa as part of a Samurai family. He began studying Karate under the famous Karate master Itosu Anko (1831-1915) and later studied under master Higaonna Kanryo. Mabuni was legendary for his extensive knowledge of kata and other aspects of Karate. He was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan Karate by his contemporaries. He served as a police officer and taught his colleagues his martial art. This is his first book on Karate.

Other Formats: Paperback

The Complete Martial Arts of Japan Volume Three: Kenbu Dec 12, 2020

by Sadamoto Sugawara, Eric Shahan

( 20 )

$9.99

Revised Edition for 2020! Originally published in 1898. A translation of a Japanese Martial Arts Manual. Descriptions of Kata for Shikomi Tsue (sword hidden in a cane), Iai (sword drawing and basic cuts) and Kenbu (Japanese sword dance). Kenbu are poems written in Classical Chinese "Kanbun" style and are about historical battles, winning, losing and overall portraits of martial spirit. Intense and often quite bloody the Kenbu presented in this volume and the corresponding step by step analysis by the author allow even the uninitiated to a glimpse into this fascinating subject.Includes the original illustrations on every page along with a full translation. Key Japanese terms are retained with an explanation given. Final part of a three volume series. First time in translation.

Other Formats: Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Kendo Solo Training Jul 15, 2021

by Yamamoto Kansuke, Eric Shahan

( 15 )

$9.99

Volume Two translates the fully illustrated sword and spear fighting instruction manual An Illustrated Guide to Kendo Solo Training, first published about 200 years ago. This book is notable for its excellent illustrations of early Kendo armor as well as mysterious techniques to fight Tengu, mythical winged mountain goblins.
About the Author: The 16th century Samurai warrior Yamamoto Toki “Way of the Devil” Kansuke was a hero of the Warring States period, the century of war from 1467-1600. Though partially blind and lame in one leg, Yamamoto Kansuke’s prowess as a military strategist was legendary and his methods became the subject of study in Japan ever since. Each of the four editions used in A Closer Look at the Sword Scroll, is actually a combination of two short works.
1. Military Strategy and Sword Fighting The Sword Scroll
2. Military Strategy and Sword Fighting the Inner Secrets Scroll
While each of the four volumes is identical in parts, each book contains interesting variations, including different woodblock prints, that collectively add a great deal of information to those interested in traditional Japanese martial arts and military strategy. An important resource for those interested in Samurai fighting arts, Bushido or Japanese History.

Other Formats: Paperback

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