Check out video trailer looks interesting!

http://www.magicmakersinc.com/dvds/techniquemaster.html

Looks good.If they withdrew the knock offs I'd buy it!

Indeed it does look good. And Ben Salinas translates for Mr. Araki on this DVD.

Hopefully they give proper crediting, the Triumph is almost exactly like John Bannon's last man standing. The coin routine looks like a move published by Larry Jennings in his book, as well as the load move made popular by Jay Sankey based off of a L'Homme de la Masque move.

First, seriously, you expect credits? It's MAGIC MAKERS. They have a reputation to uphold, and money says they won't disappoint.

Second, the video looked brutal. Unmotivated and convoluted handlings, and tired plots. This guy is "unquestionably one of the greatest card workers the world has known"? Really? I don't know about that...

Third, I didn't realize that the best magic Japan had to offer was the Jenning's handling of Goodwin's stand-up triumph (except, with a much much worse set-up procedure). Or some suspect looking copper, silver, brass. Etc.

Feel free to support magic makers. I, personally, wouldn't buy anything of theirs- even if it was the Vernon/Marlo sessions. But you are free to waste your cash anyway you see fit.

I agree that nothing was impressive about the video either. The demo just looked like another one of those DVD's that teaches variations, and mostly inferior, of the existing originals. Of course, it is not fair for me to judge the video when I don't have it, but that is definitely what it seems like to me after watching the demo.

For "real" magic of Japan, I would recommend picking up "New Magic of Japan" and "Five Times Five: Japan" instead. Another great(!!!) video focusing on Japanese magic is "Magic of Japan" released by Steven's Magic Emporium.

My 2 NT's,
Charles

Charles and Ben have both pointed out the potential flaws with this release. I agree with Charles, either buy 5 times 5 Japan or wait for Kaufman to release the new book of Japanese magic he is working on.

Donny

Thanks for the heads up

The video demo not even come close to my little magic shop demonstrator's daily practice...

The card work on the demo is as crappy as mine.

Magic Makers, because of their reputation, is quite limited in who they can get to do DVD's for them, so....don't expect much.

I thought Goodwin/Jennings Triumph involved more playing with the deck ( I read it once from Trapdoor magazine ), in any case,

I'm actually intrested, as I like seeing how people think when it comes to card magic and seeing an uknown name ( to my memory at least ) triggers my sensors. Does this fellow has any reputation in Japan ( msc455magic perhaps can answer this? )

~ Feras

Yes, he's known for his expertise in sushi knife cleaning. That was good enough for Magic Makers to put him on a magic DVD.
:rotf:

If you want a superb video on Japanese magic there is a copy of the out of print Steven's video in the "Let's Make Magic Deal" section right now at a very fair price from a very trustworthy seller. I'm amazed that it hasn't been snatched up yet. Additionally, L&L will be releasing a new Dr. Sawa DVD set sometime this year (hopefully in the not-too-distant future).

If you want info regarding Ichiro Araki I would suggest that Hideo Kato would be the man to ask. Personally, as a collector of Japanese magic, I have found nothing from him prior to this.

...other than the fact that he is supposedly a well known singer/actor in Japan, and co-hosts a magic website HERE.

More info HERE

Agreed. As I said, I think most people here would benefit more from Kaufman's books on Japanese magic.

Best,
Charles

Yes, I thought the Triumph on the clip looked a little like Last Man Standing with the Goodwin display, but I'd not pass judgement from a small clip like this and would like a proper review from anyone that's seen this DVD completely. Some of the stuff that comes out of Japan is very interesting (as in the mentioned books)so it's unfair to trash the guy because he's not known here, or without seeing the full product.

As suggested, Hideo might know more of this fellow's reputation in Japan. I thought the DVD might be of interest.

Paul.

Paul, remember it's a Magic Makers product. You know how they are. You don't support Magic Makers, do you? I mean, you'd never buy or, God Forbid, work for them, right?

Re: "Paul, remember it's a Magic Makers product. You know how they are. You don't support Magic Makers, do you? I mean, you'd never buy or, God Forbid, work for them, right?"

I did! But I guess you knew that? Right? My DVD's were produced by this company. As were the Wesley James DVD's and the Royal Road DVD's, the card splitting DVD, which I didn't think were bad at all. Each item should be judged on its own merit.

Do I agree with everything they do? No I don't (nor plenty of other dealers).When I was more active as a dealer, I never sold anything I thought was suspect. Do an achive search and you'll even find a post from me pointing out "The Dice Through Mirror" was pirated. Although MM weren't the first to take it, I think they pirated a pirate copy from India. In fact, in dealing I sought out original and different material and had a far smaller range than most. But I discovered you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Now, had YOU approached me to do a DVD project, and offered me a reasonable sum, I would have done it, but you didn't. And no-one else did either, but MM asked and so I did it. Their business dealings with me were fair and above board and they did not screw me over in any way.

Certainly, the average magic buyer should be more knowledeable and be aware of what is and what isn't a copy, or who actually owns the rights to what (which is not always who you think - Paul Fox cups for example, or the Art of Close Up books or a zillion intant downloads)then make their decisions accordingly. The truth is, the biggest buyers are the newcomers to magic and children, who would be better advised buying books, rather than being brainwashed by all the 'hype' of new and recycled releases week in and week out.

I don't buy many DVD's (preferring books personally). I thought this one might be interesting despite who produced it. I judge an item on its own merit. My last good DVD buy was Aldo's packet trick DVD produced by Meir Yedid. But, let's not get off topic...

Paul.
P.S. If anyone else wants to do a different DVD project with me, make me a good offer!

Well said Paul. I think people can become real jerks on here sometimes. Now back to the DVD at hand, I believe Mr. Aracki has a few hardcover books out called Technical Coin Magic and Technical Card Magic and is well respected and known in Tokyo.

Paul, I didn't know you did a project with them. I've never seen your DVD on any site for sale or reviewed on the Café. I only recently started seeing your posts and very much enjoy reading what you have to say.

Yes, Wesley and 2 of my favorites, Simon Lovel and Randy Wakeman, have done projects with them. I say I wouldn't do a set with them if asked, but that's easy to say when I'm not being asked. They should do one with me, just for the fun of seeing me say how wrong I was about them and having 500 people post what a liar and thief I am. The set wouldn't sell because I stink, but it would be a funny scenario!

I once asked Aldo about working for a company that had no scruples. He said " Chris, I only care that I get paid". I love honesty like that.

Paul, thanks for the response. Your honesty was also refreshing!