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 itself the teacher-student relationship the act of bowing what to expect--and what will be expected of you--when you visit a dojo the training weapons the 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
Thoughtfully written:
This book is thoughtfully written and will help amy student of any martial art, have an inside look into how a student should approach study...highly recommended.
In the Dojo: A Guide to the Rituals and Etiquette:
Excellent for a beginner who has started to learn about the Japanese Arts. It is good to know what to expect when starting out in a new dojo. Not all dojos take the time to show all of the etiquette. Sometimes, it is left up to the student to know ahead of time. This book also details a bit of Japanese history, of which is always good to know the history of the dojo you will/are attending.
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.
