i think this book is a metaphor of what Sensei Hatsumi wishes to teach in genenral. his books are chaotic, hard to understand and have to be read twice (or more) to be understood.

this book features magnificient pictures, a lot of explanations about the historical context and some technique descriptions.

I would tend to recommend this book to advanced martial artists, as the title suggests, but i have to admit that the pictures can be a good introduction to beginners to spark their imaginations.

Read between the lines on this one, re-read it a few times, and weigh it against your own martial arts background. always seek a qualified instructor to practice these techniques properly and safely.

I know that many dislike this book for its highly stylized content. Some say, "Lots of fluff not much stuff." If one was to be utilitarian about it, then this book is really a waste of cash. But then again, it depends upon what you are expecting. It certainly is not a text on stick or pole fighting for a novice. I guess in some ways it may not even be a text on stick fighting! The applications and photos require insight into the inner meaning of things, with little being obvious. I must say that had I not seen Hatsumi actually move, and also practiced martial arts for some time, I would have been clueless. This book for me was less instructional than it was in giving a certain feeling. Again, another one of Hatsumi's teaching methods that can be confusing. He certainly is not teaching to the lower levels. If you are looking for a Hatsumi book that is more user-friendly, check out his classic "Stick Fighting" coauthored with Quasten.


Enjoy!