A crucial training aid written by a grandmaster of traditional japanese martial arts. Aiming to develop bujutsu (martial arts)and hycho (strategy) to the highest possible degree, the samurai devised a code consisting of over eighteen arts. A samurai should have impeccable manners and be an expert in martial arts, but he should never be a killer. His sword contained his soul, which he cultivated by learning poetry and art, and by practicing Zen meditation. Samurai Fighting Arts introduces the world of tradtional Japanese martial arts and provides readers with a deeper understanding of Bushido--the way of the warrior, Also known as Kobudo, these eighteen traditional martial arts compnise a number of styles formulated in the samurai era and represtent a living continuation of its culture as they are still taught today. Fumon tanaka is the world--famous Kobudo grandmaster and one of the few living people to practive all the Kobudo styles. His first book in English, Samuai Fighting Arts is divided into five chapters; Kobudo and its history; Kumiuch Hycho; Nito Ryu; lai and Kanpo; and classical Kanjutsu and its application it also offers readers the opportunity to learn some of the lesser--known arts of Kobudo, particularly the way of Nito Ryu--the two--sword method created by the famous samurai Myamoto Musashi, and to understand the spirit behind it. Lavishly illustrated, Samurai Fighting Arts contains over 700 photographs, including rare examples of past masters demonstrating techniques as well as Tanaka's ow daughter who is being trained to take over his role of teacher.
