Beginning students in Japanese martial arts, such as karate, judo, aikido, iaido, kyudo, and kendo, learn that when they are in the dojo (the practice space), they must don their practice garb with ritual precision, address their teacher and senior students in a specific way, and follow certain unwritten but deeply held codes of behavior. But very soon they begin to wonder about the meaning behind the traditions, gear, and relationships in the dojo. In this collection of lively, detailed essays, Dave Lowry, one of the most well-known and respected swordsmen in the United States, illuminates the history and meaning behind the rituals, training costumes, objects, and relationships that have such profound significance in Japanese martial arts, including the dojo space itselfthe teacher-student relationshipthe act of bowingwhat to expect--and what will be expected of you--when you visit a dojothe training weaponsthe hakama (ceremonial skirt) and dogi (practice uniform)the Shinto shrine Authoritative, insightful, and packed with fascinating stories from his own experience, In the Dojo provides a wealth of information that beginning students will pore over and advanced students will treasure.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Insightful collection of essays on Japanese martial arts:
"In the Dojo" is a collection of stand-alone essays by the prolific Dave Lowry, a devotee of traditional Japanese martial arts. This book is a deep, albeit at times esoteric, explanation of all key terms, concepts and rituals associated with the Japanese dojo. The book will appeal to practitioners or fans of Japanese budo: judo, aikido, kendo, karate, etc. Those looking to improve their technique will be disappointed. Some might find the emphasis on ritual to be stifling. One doubts if Lowry would... more info
Excellent:
Great book! Very informative. While reading, it reinforced what had been taught to me by my instructor. It was refreshing to know what has been passed down to me and to my students is the proper etiquette of traditional karate. Sad that so many of our Americanized karate-ka miss out on true traditions in the dojo.
Not so good:
Not so good book. Dave Lowry wrote only generally informations on etiquette, without details and specific informations.
Unfortunately this book is more blabby, folk, popular than sensible and useful, handy.
Pitty, because Lowry is a great man in martial arts and the role of etiquette in the dojo is so important and unkown to many martial artists...
Insightful:
Dave Lowry adds significant meaning to what happens in a dojo. His explanation of numerous Japanese words fosters the readers understanding of what karate is. He explains certain conjectures about karate, and when there is reason to dismiss some conjectures, he does so with perspicacious descriptions. I particularly liked his explination of dojo. Do means way, as in karatedo, and jo means place. Dojo is "The place of the Way" which I find more meaningful than "practice hall". He has dozens of useful... more info
