The flashing steel of the samurai sword conjures images of the ancient warrior elite of Japan. With the growing popularity of the martial arts, more and more people are looking for reliable information on the fighting traditions of the redoubtable Japanese warriors. These rare and often misunderstood arts are demystified in the eight essays in Sword & Spirit. The authors are all highly skilled and qualified practitioners, who have spent decades living, training, and researching in Japan--and they are unique in that they can tell their tales in English.
Volume one of the "Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan" series, Koryu Bujutsu, was hailed by Wayne Muromoto of Furyu: The Budo Magazine as "...probably the best book on martial arts this year, if not for several years past and hence..." Don't miss these beautiful, well-researched books!
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Very Informative Book on Traditional Japanese Material Arts:
I am currently a beginning/probational member of Shindo Muso ryu which is one of the warrior traditions of Japan discussed in two different essays in the book. I found the following articles in the book very helpful in my practice of Shindo Muso ryu: "Uchidachi and Shidachi" by Nishioka Tsuneo and "Field Guide to the Classical Japanese Martial Arts" by Meik & Diane Skoss. The first essay deals with a detail discussion of the two roles in all kata of Shindo Muso ryu the uchidachi (who is taking the role... more info
A Must For Students of Koryu!:
Anyone who is a student of koryu or is interested in the classical martial arts of Japan must read this book. The stories are interesting in their history, but even more fascinating is the human aspect to these stories. Diane Skoss has done an excellent job capturing both the essence of the art and the practitioners who keep these cultural treasures alive.
Martial Arts of Japan Part 2:
Diane Skoss has put together another find collection of short articles which give us a list and short history of the martial arts of Japan. Which focus on the schools which teach the sword and jo.
Excellent introduction to unusual arts are still practiced today. Many I was not aware of. So let this series help you build a foundation for those of you that study Japanese martial arts; or are like me just interested in the history of asian martial arts in general.
As good as it gets.:
Well researched, well written and well edited. Skoss has done an outstanding job. Any student of traditional or classical bujutsu/budo will benefit from this excellent study of Koryu.
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