Follow-up books?

[Blues]

Maybe somewhat off-topic, but I am really interested in the following questions:

I have heard or read somewhere that this is an introductionary book, and that other books will be published, each focussing on one of the five main aspects of Shinkendo.

Is this true? And if it is: what will the next book's focus be?

My last question is:
Are there any plans for books about Aiki Buken?

[Nathan Scott]

Hello,

Sorry for the slow reply!

This book was intended to serve as an introduction to shinkendo.

Our art has a basic training structure we call "gorin goho gogyo". An image of this structure can be viewed here (we can't display images in this forum):

http://www.shinkendo.com/nihongo/gorin-s.gif

These five areas are:

1) Suburi (sword swinging movements)

2) Batto-ho (combative drawing methods)

3) Tanren Kata (solo forms)

4) Tachiuchi (pre-arranged partnered sparring)

5) Tameshigiri (test cutting)

For a couple of reasons, Obata sensei has decided to write the next book on tameshigiri. It is actually finished for the most part in Japanese language, and we are working at translating it now. It should be quite interesting, and is of course something Obata sensei has extensive experience in.

It will be a massive undertaking to prepare the next book, and I for one will not be able to put nearly as much time into this one as I did the first one (for personal reasons). We have a couple of people working on it, but I suspect it will be some time before it goes to the print shop.

I don't know which area of study Obata sensei will tackle next, but I know he intends to publish reference books on all five areas of study, and I believe one on shinkendo philosophy and priniciples.

Obata sensei has resisted publishing further aikido books ("Samurai Aikijutsu" being the only one) because he feels that there are already "lots of books on aikido already". But, his students keep telling him that his aikido is different than that of other popular teachers, and that it would be great to see him do something comprehensive on the subject. We'll see.

Unfortunately, everything takes time (and money!), and at this point the seniors in shinkendo and aiki buken are mostly concerned with documenting as much of his methods as we possibly can while there is still the opporutunity.

Thanks for the question,

[Bustillo, A.]

Osu,

I read and have a copy of Mr. Obata's book on aikido. I especially enjoyed reading the background and short bio's on past instructors.

I can easily understand why he refuses to work on another aikido book.

Please keep me posted when the 'sword-test cutting' book is available in English.

Amtonio Bustillo
Coral gables, Fl.

[Nathan Scott]

Hello Mr. Bustillo,

Thanks for your note - I'm glad you've enjoyed sensei's writings.

The most organized and comprehensive training biography on Obata sensei so far is in the first "Shinkendo" book. But there are bits and pieces in all of his books (and on our home page).

We will of course post announcements here and on our web page when future projects are finished.

Osu,

[Bustillo, A.]

I will definitely look into it.

Osu,

A. Bustillo