Japanese Arts

Oriental Weaponry |  Martial Arts Books |  Japanese Arts

• Kyudo: Essence And Practice Of Japanese Archery Book (BS28-164)
• Kyudo: The Way of the Bow Book (BS28-588)
• The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi Book (BS28-623)
• Classical Weaponry of Japan Book (BS28-629)
• The Tea Ceremony and Women's Empowerment in Japan Book (BS28-638)
• Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordmanship Book (BS28-657)
• Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths Book (BS28-659)
• The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths Book (BS28-660)
• Iai: Art of Drawing the Sword Book (BS28-677)
• The Book of Five Rings: Hardback Edition Book (BS28-681)
• The Japanese Sword: The Soul of the Samurai Book (BSbk-ja-001)
• The Heart Of Kendo Book (BSbk-ja-003)
• Teachings Of A Grand Master Book (BSbk-ja-010)
• Complete Kendo Book (BSbk-ja-012)
• Kodo: Ancient Ways Book (BSbk-ja-013)
• Kendo: The Definitive Guide Book (BSbk-ja-016)
• The Craft of the Japanese Sword Book (BSbk-ja-017)
• The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords Book (BSbk-ja-018)
• Kyudo: Japanese Art of Archery Book (BSbk-ja-020)
• Yasukuni Swords: Rare Weapons of Wartime Japan Book (BSbk-ja-022)
• One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery and Daily Life Book (BSbk-ja-026)
• Japanese Martial Arts Book (BSbk-ja-027)
• The Shambhala Guide to Kendo Book (BSbk-ja-028)
• Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship Book (BSbk-ja-029)
• A History Of Japan Book (BSbk-ja-030)
• Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps Book (BSbk-ja-031)

Kyudo: Essence And Practice Of Japanese Archery Book

(Ref: BS28-164)

This guide to the spiritual and technical practice of this graceful martial art, by 15th-generation master Hideharu Onuma, includes illustrations and rare photographs.

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Kyudo: The Way of the Bow Book

(Ref: BS28-588)

The bow and arrow are among humanity's oldest tools, long used for hunting and as weapons of war. The samurai tradition of archery known as Kyudo integrates the study of technical skills with the development of a focused mind. KYUDO is a clearly written guide to this martial art that is practised by many people in Japan but is little known in the West.

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The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi Book

(Ref: BS28-623)

The first biography of this world-renowned and undefeated swordsman, The Lone Samurai follows the dramatic escapades of Musashi - author of The Book of Five Rings - from his initial victory at the age of 13 to his early 'retirement' at 30 to pursue a more spiritual path. Wilson provides a riveting account of Musashi's trials and his triumphs, as well as a portrait of the turbulent and dangerous times in which he lived. The author supplements the story with fascinating insights into Musashi's mind - how he turned his opponents' strength against them, how he outwitted even the most skilful assailant, how he honed and eventually perfected his style of swordsmanship and philosophy.

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Classical Weaponry of Japan Book

(Ref: BS28-629)

This is an in-depth study of more than 100 special weapons developed for use as part of the armoury of the traditional martial arts of Japan. Each weapon is illustrated with detailed photographs to support the text explaining its history and usage. There are also photographs which show present-day grandmasters demonstrating how each weapon was used.

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The Tea Ceremony and Women's Empowerment in Japan Book

(Ref: BS28-638)

The subject of the tea ceremony is well researched both in and outside Japan, but the women who practice it are hardly ever discussed. "The Tea Ceremony and Women's Empowerment in Modern Japan" rectifies this by discussing the meaning of the Japanese tea ceremony for women practitioners in Japan from World War II to the present day. It examines how lay tea ceremony practitioners have been transforming this cultural activity whilst being, in turn, transformed by it. Drawing on Foucault's concept of discipline and focusing primarily on the body, this book illuminates how female ceremony practitioners have empowered themselves through the unique way of using their bodies. In particular the book examines: * The relationship between the tea ceremony and the body* Myths surrounding the body* Body discipline* Postwar effects on the tea ceremony* Tea ceremony networks* Meaning of the ceremony in the lives of women By combining anthropological observation with historical examination of the tea ceremony, this book radically revises mainstream discourses surrounding women and the tea ceremony in Japan. It will prove of interest to scholars of Japanese Studies, Gender Studies and anthropology alike.

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Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordmanship Book

(Ref: BS28-657)

Flashing Steel should be of interest to ANY martial artist, because it includes philosophy and theory applicable to all martial arts. Flashing Steel contains the COMPLETE system of Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu, along with practice drills and cutting technique. True martial arts are about life and death . . . . and the two are inseparable. Flashing Steel not only teaches you about training in samurai swordsmanship, but how to have a samurai attitude and achieve victory in all areas of your life.

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Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths Book

(Ref: BS28-659)

This illustrated guide to the development of the Japanese sword in the modern era concentrates on the techniques and output of the best smiths. It includes a detailed look at the swords used during World War II and should be of interest to collectors and enthusiasts.

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The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths Book

(Ref: BS28-660)

This text explores the art and technique of the contemporary Japanese swordsmith. It discusses every aspect of sword-making as practised in Japan today, and offers dialogues between swordsmiths which reveal the intricate techniques of this craft. Over 100 photographs illustrate the swords introduced in the text.

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Iai: Art of Drawing the Sword Book

(Ref: BS28-677)

To the Japanese, the sword is a spiritual weapon, possessed of a kind of divinity, a self reflective of the soul of its maker, owner, and user. Around its mystical powers has grown a centuries-old ritual and a fascinating, intricate discipline.

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The Book of Five Rings: Hardback Edition Book

(Ref: BS28-681)

The Book of Five Rings is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645. It is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

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The Japanese Sword: The Soul of the Samurai Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-001)

Drawing on the V&A's magnificent collection, this illustrated survey examines the development of the Japanese sword in an historical and social context from the 8th to the 12th century. The development of the sword from its origins as one of the world's most effective cutting weapons in seen in the context of the emergence and development of Japan's ruling military class, the samurai, to whom it was indispensable both as a weapon and symbol of power. The book also deals with the techniques used in the making of the sword and the associated terminology. In addition to weapons from the V&A's own collections, illustrations include comparative materials from Japan's Tokyo National Museum, as well as prints showing graphic depictions of swords in action.

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The Heart Of Kendo Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-003)

This is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to kendo, the Japanese "way of the sword", the ancient martial art that originated in the Japanese samurai tradition. Kendo is a way of life and a discipline that produces perseverance, alertness, concentration and introspection. It is very closely linked to Zen - its adepts traditionally also train in Zen meditation and numerous Zen masters have been adept at the art of kendo. The book includes the history of the art, the basic equipment used, a glossary of terms and instructions for all the basic forms.

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Teachings Of A Grand Master Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-010)

The esoteric martial art of Torishimaru Aiki Jutsu allows control of an attacker with no physical contact. This question-and-answer guide covers novice techniques, the principles of control, meditations, spiritual insights, and application of the principles to life and the world of business.

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Complete Kendo Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-012)

A thorough introduction to the Japanese martial way of the sword, "Complete Kendo" covers every aspect of the discipline, from equipment and terminology to technique and strategy. Photos throughout.

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Kodo: Ancient Ways Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-013)

Forty-one of the best articles of the popular Ancient Ways column in Martial Arts Training magazine are brought together with 150 illustrations, 40 never-before-published photos. A sixth dan in aikido and sixth-dan kyoshi master instructor in iaido, Kensho Furuya is the resident chief instructor of the Alkido Center of Los Angeles.

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Kendo: The Definitive Guide Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-016)

This comprehensive guide to Kendo features easy-to-follow line drawings to demonstrate techniques, basic information on equipment and lists of official rules and clubs. The book is aimed at beginners and experts alike.

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The Craft of the Japanese Sword Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-017)

Well over a thousand years old, the tradition of swordmaking in Japan is one of the most highly regarded metal crafts in the world. When all sword manufacture was prohibited in Japan for seven years after World War II, the age-old techniques were in danger of being lost forever. Today, in thehands of a new generation of practitioners, the craft is making a startling comeback. Connoisseurs say that the swords being produced now are the equal of anything made in Japan in the past few hundred years. This book takes the reader into the workshops of four of Japan's leading sword craftsmen. Each craftsman has a different role in the manufacture of a blade. Yoshindo Yoshihara, the swordsmith, begins with raw steel made in a traditional charcoal-fueled smelter and refines it by folding and forging, gradually shaping it into a sword with a hardened edge. Okisato Fujishiro then sharpens and polishes the sword with fine stones to reveal the color and texture of the steel. Metalworker Hiroshi Miyajima makes the small copper-and-gold habaki collar that fits between the blade and the scabbard.Finally, Kazuyuki Takayama carves the hilt and the scabbard out of a single piece of wood. Black-and-white photographs show every stage of the manufacture, while important information on history, metallurgy, and modern-day appraisal is presented in an extensive introduction. The swords made in Japan today are not, of course, intended for actual use. But their design, the quality of their steel, and the techniques used to create them still derive from the sword's historical function as a lethal hand-held weapon. A sword must be razor sharp, light, well balanced, andstrong, but not sobrittle it will break. In the perfect resolution of these qualities lie the beauty of the blade and the challenge of the craft. This book demonstrates how brilliantly Japan's sword craftsmen today have met this technological challenge. The impulse of the craft now is to preserve the utilitarian object and yet create an enduring art for the modern age. While many fine books on sword appreciation exist, these deal primarilywith older blades or problems of appraisal. The Craft of the Japanese Sword is the first book in English devoted entirely to contemporary sword manufacture, and will thus be of enormous value to metal artists everywhere, as well as to collectors and students of weaponry.

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The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-018)

A comprehensive guide to the appreciation and appraisal of Japanese swords, complete with historical background, terms and the workmanship of the foremost schools and smiths.

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Kyudo: Japanese Art of Archery Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-020)

Rooted in tradition, Japanese archery is now attracting foreign practitioners. This book describes the aims, techniques, and philosophic basis of Kyudo's ceremonial past, a past strongly influenced by Zen philosophy.

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Yasukuni Swords: Rare Weapons of Wartime Japan Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-022)

Between 1933 and 1945, 8,100 of these weapons were crafted. They were forged by only a handful of swordsmiths - an all but extinct breed of traditional craftsmen. The time-honoured techniques by which they were forged, as well as the quality of steel used to create them, sets them apart from other swords produced at the time. Today Yasukuni swords are highly valued for their beauty and historical significance. This book not only describes in detail how Yasukuni swords were made, but also gives guidance to help distinguish them from the 90,000 swords that did not follow traditional forging practices and were not made of quality steel - swords which all too frequently appear at auctions for inflated prices. Among the 150 stunning photographs contained in this book are those of sword tangs (the part of the blade inside the hilt that carries important identifying information, such as the smith's signature, file markings, distinct shapes).

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One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery and Daily Life Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-026)

Kyudo, the traditional art of archery, and its relation to the ideals and practice of Zen. This study can also serve as an informal manual of practice, for those interested in Zen, kyudo and martial arts.

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Japanese Martial Arts Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-027)

This illustrated book is a thorough and authoritative guide to all the major forms of martial arts that have emerged from Japan, covering the culture, application and forms of dozens of disciplines from Judo to Jo-jutsu, Aikido to Sumo, Karate to Kyudo.

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The Shambhala Guide to Kendo Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-028)

This is a thorough introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of Kendo, the Japanese "Way Of The Sword." Cultivated by the samurai in medieval Japan, Kendo is becoming increasingly popular in the West today as a means to strengthen the body and mind. While most books on Kendo focus primarily on kata, or forms, The Shambhala Guide To Kendo covers everything from the details of practice - such as strikes, shouts, and stances - to the history and philosophy os swordmanship, including Bushido, the code of the samurai. It also provides a fascinating look at how the development of Buddhism influenced two important schools of swordmanship.

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Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-029)

To become an expert swordsman, attention to detail and diligent practice under an accomplished teacher is essential. This work focuses on Japanese swordsmanship and presents "bokuto" (wooden sword) drills to supplement formal class activities. Both single- and two-person drills are presented, including some common "iaido" and "kenjutsu", and some extracted from "iaido" forms by the author who uses them to teach his own students the proper ways of drawing, parrying and cutting.

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A History Of Japan Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-030)

A history of Japan, from the turbulent times of its medieval age to the emergence of modern day Japan as a leading economic power. The authors present analyses of the religion, culture and arts of the Japanese people from the sixth century BC to the present day.

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Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps Book

(Ref: BSbk-ja-031)

Now back in his native California after 15 years of living and writing in Japan, Hillsborough presents his third book on samurai of the 19th-century Meiji Restoration. He concentrates on the spirit of the Shinsengumi and its leaders Kondo Isami and Hijikata and their place in history, rather than on details, especially where the many sources contra.

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Oriental Weaponry |  Martial Arts Books |  Japanese Arts