Rediscovering Budo
Rediscovering Budo

Author: Roald Knutsen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2021-10-25

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 9004213910

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In an environment where Budo has lost much of its original spirit in the inevitable process of changing attitudes towards sport, Roald Knutsen reappraises and reaffirms the profound and intrinsic importance of the underlying warrior culture and its real legacy. Technical knowledge rests entirely in the dojo; this book is intended to show those interested something of the roots that underpin the true Bujutsu and Budo, and to throw some light on the other complex influences from the past that have enriched so many of the surviving traditions. A number of these roots are purely warrior-based in nature, others are intellectual or even esoteric. If a student is only searching for technique, then this book will be of limited value. But for those inclined to look below the surface, there is much to commend it. Indeed, it will be widely welcomed by more serious Budo practitioners, as well as interested observers, who are looking for a return to 'first principles', concerned more about substance than style, and thereby gain valuable insight into the mind-set of Japan's unique warrior culture.

Sun Tzu and the Art of Medieval Japanese Warfare
Sun Tzu and the Art of Medieval Japanese Warfare

Author: Roald Knutsen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2021-11-01

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 900421352X

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For the first time, this study examines in depth how the medieval Japanese masters of Heiho – the Art of War – sought to interpret, illustrate and transmit the principles of China’s time-honoured military strategist Sun-Tzu during possibly the most turbulent period of Japanese history, the war-torn Muromachi period (c. 1350 – 1575). In these two centuries a number of gifted warriors, steeped in the teachings of Sun-Tzu and the Chinese Military Classics, developed their own concepts of the arts of warfare, expressed in personal combat, to heights of formidable effectiveness. Rather than consider the weaknesses and strengths of the medieval military command structures, the author focuses instead on certain basic strategies still to be found in the upper levels of these individual masters’ teachings, some of which have fortunately survived the five hundred or more years that have elapsed since these strategists passed away. Sun-Tzu’s lasting legacy was encapsulated in one simple statement: ‘All warfare is based on deception’. This volume, supported by a sixteen-page Plate Section, demonstrates how, and from where, some of these master swordsmen derived their unique understanding of these ancient teachings.

Tengu
Tengu

Author: Roald Knutsen

Publisher: Global Oriental

Published: 2011-08-15

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 9004218025

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This fully illustrated volume, including an eight-page colour-plate section, is the first in-depth study in English to examine the warrior and shamanic characteristics and significance of tengu in the martial art culture (bugei) of Muromachi Japan (1336-1573). According to Roald Knutsen, who is widely known for his writings on the samurai tradition, prompting his life-long study of tengu – the part-human, part-animal creatures – was the early discovery that the tengu of the Muromachi period were interacting with the deadly serious bugei masters teaching the arts of war. Here were beings who did not conform to the comic, goblin-like creatures of common folklore and were not the creations of the Buddhist priests intent on demonizing that which they did not understand and could not control. As this study shows, the part-hidden tengu under review passed on and taught the clearest theory of tactics and strategy to bushi of the highest calibre, the absorption and mastery of which often decided if the warrior and his clan lived or were annihilated on the all-too-frequent killing grounds of the Muromachi age. Tengu will be widely welcomed in many contexts including studies relating to martial arts, religion and folklore, shamanism and mythology, and the social and military history of Japan.

Japanese Spears
Japanese Spears

Author: Roald Knutsen

Publisher: Brill

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13:

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This is the first book in English to provide a fully illustrated guide to the use of polearms - ranging from the earliest halberds and spears reaching Japan from the Asian mainland to the sophisticated naginata, nagamaki and various forms of yari used by the Japanese samurai through the medieval period. While the sword remains the best known of Japanese weapons, it was the halberd (naginata) and then the yari that dominated the battlefields up to the early seventeenth century, and thereafter the yari became an important status symbol to many warrior families. Additionally, the authors focus on the actual method of use of these weapons, hitherto an almost unknown aspect in the West.

Moving Toward Stillness
Moving Toward Stillness

Author: Dave Lowry

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2011-06-14

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 1462900631

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Moving Toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan is a distillation of the most important lessons learned from a lifetime devoted to martial arts training. Drawing from his highly regarded magazine columns in Black Belt magazine, author Dave Lowry sets out lessons that not only guide us to a deeper understanding of the social values and moral imperatives that are the ancient heart of budo, but speak to us also of the universal nature of those values and of how they remain relevant to us, in the modern West. Among the 45 chapters of this martial arts philosophy book you'll find lessons addressing everything from such well-known martial concepts as "one encounter, one chance" to the art of being alone, from strategy for the modern-day battlefield to the luxury of anger, from subduing the self and bending like the bamboo to maintaining an unwavering calm in the face of death. Essays include: The Way of the Master Excess Baggage Swimming 'Round the Stone Simple Things Even if I Die Not Knowing, But Doing and many more

Karatedo Paradigm Shift
Karatedo Paradigm Shift

Author: Kousaku Yokota

Publisher: Azami Press

Published: 2017-04-28

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 9780998223612

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Kousaku Yokota's fourth book, Karatedo Paradigm Shift, goes beyond the boundaries of Shotokan as he expands his research to cover aspects of Okinawan karate and concepts from other styles. In this book, Yokota addresses topics such as training and physiology and also talks about the technical and philosophical aspects of the art. He also takes this opportunity to revisit Tekki/Naihanchi, which, unfortunately, seems to have lost its importance in Shotokan despite the fact that it is one of the most important kata in many Okinawan karate styles. Readers of Karatedo Paradigm Shift will benefit greatly from this work. The research carried out by Kousaku Yokota and the thoughts and concepts that he introduces will enable readers of all styles and abilities to progress further in their karate journey, both physically and psychologically.

Black Belt
Black Belt

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1991-05

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13:

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The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.

The True Believers
The True Believers

Author: Louis Martin

Publisher: Louis Martin

Published: 2017-12-08

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0692997059

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The critically acclaimed true story about the human cost of hero worship in martial arts. Featured on numerous shows and podcasts, The True Believers struck a chord with both traditional and modern martial artists across the world when it was first published in 2017. Now, in this special second edition, readers can go further down the rabbit hole in this true story about rampant fanaticism taking over a worldwide martial arts organization, and the chaos that it sowed in the lives of its True Believers. True Believers is the story of how a small, California marital arts school grew into a new age religion. Promoting black belts in mere months to maintain an army of fanatical young converts, while creating a business of endless monetization, trapping the most dedicated students in a spiral of financial ruin. Follow the rise and fall through the eyes of a young student on a seven year journey, attaining one of the highest ranks in the system, while secretly doubting his own abilities and fearing that his dojo has become a cult. Along the way, he discovers the truth about the business of selling fantasy and creating a codependent community that is fearful of the outside world and increasingly reliant on their master for direction. The True Believers is about the darker side of martial arts that robs real people of years of training and tens of thousands of dollars. But it's ultimately a story of triumph, as a group of senior students take a stand against wrongdoing and cripple an organization, their senior students resigning in protest.

Zen Bow, Zen Arrow
Zen Bow, Zen Arrow

Author: John Stevens

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2007-02-20

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13: 0834827239

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The life and inspirational teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Japanese master archer first introduced in the martial arts classic Zen in the Art of Archery A Zen and kyudo (archery) master, Awa Kenzo (1880–1939) first gained worldwide renown after the publication of Eugen Herrigel's cult classic Zen in the Art of Archery in 1953. Kenzo lived and taught at a pivotal time in Japan's history, when martial arts were practiced primarily for self-cultivation, and his wise and penetrating instructions for practice (and life)—including aphorisms, poetry, instructional lists, and calligraphy—are infused with the spirit of Zen. Kenzo uses the metaphor of the bow and arrow to challenge the practitioner to look deeply into his or her own true nature.