This guide provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Kendo, the Japanese way of the sword. It includes the history of the art of the sword, the basic equipment used, a glossary of terms, and instructions for all the basic forms.

This is an accessible introduction to kendo, the Japanese "way of the sword", the ancient martial art that originated in the Japanese samurai tradition. The book includes the history of the art, the basic equipment used, a glossary of terms and instructions for all the basic forms.

Master the art of Kendo--Japanese Swordsmanship with this illustrated and comprehensive martial arts guide. Kendo or the "Way of the Sword" holds a special place within the martial arts as one of the few practices tracing back directly to Japan's ancient samurai heritage. Modern students flock to kendo for physically--and mentally--challenging activity that combines traditional martial arts values with strenuous physical activity. Author Geoff Salmon has over 40 years of kendo experience gained in and outside of Japan. His goal in this kendo guide is to dispel many misconceptions about the sport and to make kendo training accessible and effective for anyone. His simple, straightforward writing style is especially helpful for beginning students and martial artists from other disciplines who wish to add kendo training to their repertoire. The core of this kendo book is a series of detailed instructional sequences demonstrating the basic kendo techniques. The author also presents the fundamental principles and philosophy that make kendo as much an exercise of the mind as of the sword. For many adherents, the goal is to train your mind to achieve a state of mushin (no-mind). Beyond that, this book also shows you how to win competitions and integrate kendo into your personal fitness routines. This is the first book to clearly link the philosophical and mental elements of kendo to the physical techniques, thereby enabling readers to gain a holistic understanding of the martial art. It offers a comprehensive training program similar to those given by leading kendo teachers in Japan, past and present.

Focusing his expertise on the techniques and history of the bokken—the wooden training sword used by both ancient samurai and today’s swordsmen—the author maintains that training with the bokken is important on two levels for the modern practitioner: to build the physical stamina, rhythms, and adroit body movements of traditional swordsmanship and to achieve something of the animating spirit of the traditional swordsman. This history of the bokken combines the author's concise, eloquent writing style with more than 100 photographs to provide the reader with the traditional and modern perspectives of this vital, historically rich practice tool.

Part Samurai history, part martial arts guide, this is THE book for anyone interested in Japan's fabled Samurai culture. Author Alexander Bennett is the ultimate insider--holding multiple black belts in Kendo and Naginata, as well as a Ph.D. in Japanese literature and history. In this book he shares his vast personal experience and knowledge with readers seeking to undertake their own personal quest in the Japanese martial arts. Bennett outlines the Japanese history of Bushido and the Samurai--from early times up until the present. Then, as only someone steeped in this world can, he surveys the contemporary martial arts scene and provides the essential knowledge young foreigners need to find a teacher and learn successfully. Unlike any other book on this subject, Japan The Ultimate Samurai Guide is written by a Japanese speaker who has studied and taught martial arts in Japan for many decades. Chapters include: The Real Samurai The Concept of Bushido Development of the Japanese Martial Arts Martial Arts Masters You Should Know About Budo in Japan Today Key Martial Arts Concepts Life in a Japanese Dojo A Japan Survival Guide Written in a down-to-earth and easy-to-read style, this book will captivate anyone interested in Japan, as well as martial arts teachers and practitioners around the world. With both history and humor, this vividly illustrated book has a more personal touch than many (for example, read up on "Fifteen Famous Japanese Cultural Indiosyncrasies" and Bennett's favorite martial arts movies). As Bennett says, "This book is supposed to be genuinely from the heart. Without the pretense…misconceptions or romantization that often accompanies martial arts."

Guide details muscles used during common martial arts moves and how to more effectively prevent injury and gain strength. Features more than 100 comprehensive illustrations. Includes examples of stretches to protect specific muscles in each move.

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

The word kendo means “the way of the sword”. Well beyond the technical skills, it relates to our emotional and intellectual skills. If in Japan, and more generally in Asia, this multidimensionality of kendo is straightforward and fully apprehend, this is not yet the case all around the World, where the practice of kendo still needs to gain maturity to blossom. The heart, strength and soul of the Japanese kendo is undeniable, and we must inspire ourselves from its rich history. However, we have to be careful of the shortcut residing in the temptation of a “copy and paste”. This easy way will lead to the edification of a fade kendo without any character and soul. On the contrary, we should inspire ourselves from the Japanese reference to build a kendo culture, that will rely on our own experience and traditions, the roots of our strength and singularity. This book proposes a multidimensional pedagogical approach of both learning and teaching kendo, where beginners, as well as experts, are going to find relevant and practical materials for daily practice. Moreover, any isolated trainee can find in this manual, references to guide his practice and monitor his improvements. Keiken suru, means “to make the experience”; so Embrace your own Experience with Force, Efficiency and Soberness.

Kendo is the first in-depth historical, cultural, and political account in English of the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship, from its beginnings in military training and arcane medieval schools to its widespread practice as a global sport today. Alexander Bennett shows how kendo evolved through a recurring process of Òinventing tradition,Ó which served the changing ideologies and needs of Japanese warriors and governments over the course of history. Kendo follows the development of Japanese swordsmanship from the aristocratic-aesthetic pretensions of medieval warriors in the Muromachi period, to the samurai elitism of the Edo regime, and then to the nostalgic patriotism of the Meiji state. Kendo was later influenced in the 1930s and 1940s by ultranationalist militarists and ultimately by the postwar government, which sought a gentler form of nationalism to rekindle appreciation of traditional culture among JapanÕs youth and to garner international prestige as an instrument of Òsoft power.Ó Today kendo is becoming increasingly popular internationally. But even as new organizations and clubs form around the world, cultural exclusiveness continues to play a role in kendoÕs ongoing evolution, as the sport remains closely linked to JapanÕs sense of collective identity.

With its message of universal harmony, the martial art of Aikido is attracting an ever-expanding number of followers all around the world. There are now 1,600,000 Aikido practitioners in 90 different countries. The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemasu Aiki focuses on the human values and promotion of peace that legendary founder Morihei Ueshiba believed were at Aikido’s core. Takemasu Aiki means, "the life-generating force capable of unlimited transformations," an idea that serves as the spiritual foundation on which Aikido rests. The book, translated into English for the first time, draws on the essence of the founder’s philosophy and spirituality, which was based on the Shinto religion. It presents such tenets as: the importance of harmony in the martial arts, the ultimate promotion of peace by dispelling any aggression through such harmony, and the divinity of the true self and the universe. The Japanese version of the book holds a special place in the hearts of Aikido practitioners; the English-language edition has been eagerly awaited and is sure to be greeted with great excitement.