C. Golo Naito’s The Tokyo Tables is 26 page eBook with an accompanying downloadable 25 minute Vimeo video that teaches many tricks from his personal set. I like this ebook/video combo for several reasons, including the diversity of magic discussed and the top notch video presentations and instructions. The Tokyo Tables are well worth the $10 download price.
The video presentation demonstrates and explains a Floating Cigarette effect using Mesika’s Loops©, A Ring in Ear routine for which he credits Gregory Wilson’s ReCap, a sleight of hand trick with a name tag and flash paper and a few card tricks. None of the effect are difficult and most are easy to master.
Naito’s instructional videos are excellent. In fact, the videos are so good that Naito should be in the business of making them for other magicians. The videos are contained on one continuous video and the eBook indicates the time that each segment starts so you can jump ahead. The instructional portion of the videos use appropriate freeze frames, graphic overlays to accentuate a certain aspect of a trick, and English subtitles (there is no spoken language in the videos) over music.
The promotional video shows what the eBook looks like and the ad copy is accurate. The claim that “nearly every trick has a video showing a performance and explanation of the trick” is true, but I wish he had more videos since the six in the download are all great.
The book and video teaches many close-up tricks using playing cards, invisible thread, flash paper, rings, currency bills, name tags and teaches many ideas crediting numerous magicians and great resources such David Stone, Al Koran, Dai Vernon, Robert Giobbi, Hofzinser Tommy Wonder and many others.
This is a strong compilation and teaching reference that is a great deal for its price and it is instantly available as a download.