"Finally, some insight into Japanese swordsmanship from a truly original source! Powerfully written and authentic, The Spirit of the Sword is 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 of Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent