Traditions, Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways - (Tuttle Specials) by Dave Lowry (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The goals of budo--the martial arts and ways of Japan--lie in refining the body and spirit. The techniques, methods, and rituals of budo can provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists--and serve as guides to a well-lived life.

In Traditions, Dave Lowry discusses unique aspects of budo ranging from hacho, or deliberate asymmetry, to uke-waza, the art of "receiving" an attack. The spirit of ryomi, the process of self-evaluation and improvement, is illustrated through the story of Kaofujita, a master swordsman who never stopped practicing the first movement he learned. You'll also learn the importance of yuyo, the distance where an attacker must focus his strike, from the story of Jubei, whose mastery of yuyo saved him in a life-and-death encounter, and the significance of shikaku, the dead zone, on maintaining balance in combat and in life.

With its focus on traditional Japanese martial arts and fascinating stories that illustrate key principles and martial arts philosophy, Traditions will be required reading for serious martial artists.

Review Quotes

"If you are a martial artist - particularly one who studies a Japanese or Okinawan art - I think that this book is one that should be in your possession. It's something you can go back to for inspiration, and it's something you can quote from when teaching or loan to your students when they need some sort of insight into the way they should be training. Even if you do not train in the arts that this book is centered around, I think the concepts can still apply quite well to just about any martial art. In fact, the author includes some comments on the differences between Asian arts and Western arts. This is definitely a good addition to any martial artist's collection!" -- KarateForums.com

About the Author

Dave Lowry has been involved in the study of traditional Japanese martial arts and ways since 1968 and has written about them for more than twenty years. His articles have appeared in magazines in the US, Japan, and the UK, including work as a long-time columnist for Black Belt magazine. He is the author of several books on Japan and budo, including Sword and Brush, Persimmon Wind, and Moving Toward Stillness.