Learn the ancient art of Japanese archery or Kyudo with this illustrated guide.The Japanese Art of Archery, is deeply rooted in tradition. It not only continues to enjoy widespread popularity in Japan, but is also attracting the interest of more and more foreigners, in much the same manner as Japan's other distinctive sports, such as judo, sumo, kendo, and karate. Kyudo: The Japanese Art of Archery offers a concise description of kyudo by an arden...

One Arrow, One Life is a classic treatise on kyudo, the art of traditional Japanese archery, and its relation to the ideals and practice of Zen Buddhism.With a solid introduction to the form and practice of Zen meditation, as well as a thorough description of the Eight Stages of Kyudo, One Arrow, One Life captures the subtleties of the complementary nature of thought and action, movement and stillness. Demonstrating the importance of bringing movement, posture and ...

The classic samurai-era text that fused Japanese swordsmanship with Zen philosophy—written by the incomparable Zen master Takuan SohoWritten by the seventeenth-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573–1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.Takuan was a g...

The life and inspirational teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Japanese master archer first introduced in the martial arts classic Zen in the Art of ArcheryA 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, a...

A thousand years have passed since a dragon has been seen in the world. Science and technology have replaced magic, which has dwindled until it has become little more than an element of myth and legend.There are those who still have dragon blood flowing through their veins, distant descendants of the mighty creatures of old. These rare humans have the power to cast magic, the power to heal, and the power to craft alchemical weapons capable of starting wars… or ending them. But they...

The CBC Literary Award–winning title story from Claire Battershill’s debut collection, winner of the Canadian Authors Association Emerging Writer Award, and a finalist for the Canadian Authors Association Emerging Writer Award and the PEN International / New Voices Award.For as long as Susan can remember, the circus has been part of her family’s DNA – her mother was a gifted contortionist, and her grandfather played the role of a man-wrestling bear. Coming from suc...

The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary martial arts master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do.Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over 1,000 photographs to document eighteen classic karate kata (preset forms) and seven yakusoku kumite (prearranged partner exercises), as well as basic techniques. This book is a precise and easily acces...

The essential guide to Wing Chun Kung-Fu—basic forms and principles, fighting and grappling, advanced techniques and weapons.Featuring over 300 black and white photos and step-by-step illustrations, Wing Chun Kung-Fu: A Complete Guide offers clear, straightforward, and authoritative instruction to the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun Kung-Fu. This Wing Chun book introduces and demonstrates the three empty-hand wing chun kung fu forms, the combative buildin...

True Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki—the famous 17th-century ninjutsu manual.Authors Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understa...

Master the Chinese martial art of T'ai Chi with this accessible, illustrated guide.T'ai-chi (Tai Chi) is an effortless and rhythmical art that stresses slow breathing, balanced and relaxed postures, and absolute calmness of mind. It requires no special equipment or place to practice and takes no more than ten minutes a day.This book, from renowned Tai Chi master, Cheng Man-Ch'ing, introduces T'ai-chi as a means to a healthier life, as a sport and as a metho...

Immerse yourself in the world of the Samurai with this classic text, translated and interpreted for the modern reader.Code of the Samurai is the four-hundred-year-old summary of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido—the ancient Japanese "Way of the Warrior." Bushido has played a major role in shaping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in shaping modern Japanese martial arts withi...

With extensive, step-by-step photographs and instructions, this jiu-jitsu guide is an effective tool for mastering this ancient martial art.The original Japanese martial art developed by the elite samurai class during Japan's feudal era, Jiu-jitsu is the forerunner of Judo and the precursor of today's ultimate fighting styles, such as mixed martial arts (MMA). For centuries, this method of unarmed self-defense proved so successful in combat that it was kept secret ...