''Flashing Steel, ''the best-selling and highly acclaimed book on ''iaijutsu ''(alternatively called ''iaido), ''is as much about bringing life into focus as it is about techniques of swordsmanship. ''Iaijutsu ''was the martial art of the samurai of feudal Japan who remain the most enduring of warrior icons, equally popular in the East and the West. ''Iaijutsu ''sword training has philosophical tenets that inform the warrior's life, building compassion and self-discipline both inside and outside the dojo. Shimabukuro Shihan and Pellman Sensei combine practical exercises, photographs, and historical and cultural context in a thoughtful guide to this most popular of Japanese sword arts. The book features Master Masayuki Shimabukuro's renowned expertise and classical training, with Leonard Pellman adapting the information for a Western audience. Included here are dozens of ''kata ''(formal training patterns) that govern ''iaijutsu, ''with partner exercises applying the principles of the art in realistic attack and defense situations. These ''kata ''are also widely practiced by students of kendo, aikido, and other sword-based martial arts, giving the book a wider relevance beyond ''iaijutsu. ''This second edition of ''Flashing Steel ''includes new techniques, updated photographs, and theoretical explanations for both new and existing sword forms.