In Taiho-Jutsu: Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai, author and judo second-dan Don Cunningham provides a fascinating introduction to the civil society of Edo-period (1603-1867) Japan—particularly the role played by the well-known warrior class, the samurai.Cunningham shows that the samurai were not, as commonly portrayed, always all-powerful mediators ruling the chonin through the power of their swords. During this period the samurai became a part of the complex syste...

Secret Weapons of Jujutsu is the first jujutsu book in English that deals with the full array of small hand weapons used by the Japanese samurai and constabulary.This martial arts manual includes a history of the weapons and discussions of hibuki (concealed weapons), improvised weapons, and traditional battlefield weapons such as: kansashi (a long, pointed metal hairpin worn by men and women) kokai and kudzuka (small utility knives) shoku (fire ax) shakuha...

Unlock the secrets of the legendary weapons of the samuraiWhile the samurai is well known as the military nobility of medieval Japan, their range of weapons, which went far beyond the katana, bow, and spear, is lesser known. For instance, some weapons, like the tesson, or iron fan, were used in secret where samurai swords were not allowed. Others were improvised, with warriors using whatever fighting tool was at hand. In Samurai Weapons, readers will follo...

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 ha...

Simple, direct, and deadlyit's the art of ngo cho kun, or fists of the five ancestors.In its approach to iron body training, its reliance on the sam chien stance, and its special emphasis on hard and soft techniques, this Fukien style of kungfu is believed to be the root of the Gojuryu and Uechiryu Okinawan karate systems.During the declining years of the Ching dynasty, Sijo Chua Giok Beng combined the salient features of five styles from five ...

The Secrets of Judo is a revealing Japanese martial arts manual that focuses primarily on the scientific principles at work in judo.It offers clear-cut explanations of the numerous techniques involved in throwing and grappling. In addition to the precise detailing of judo's physical aspects, this book provides insights into the psychological factors related to judo's underlying philosophy.The Secrets of Judo, a fascinating and valuable wor...

A highly effective and well-rounded Filipino martial art, Cabales Serrada Escrima uses basic stick-fighting movements whose applicability extends into both unarmed engagement and knife fighting.In Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima, Mark V. Wiley offers not only a clear presentation of the strikes, blocks, counters, and disarms unique to this style, but goes beyond mere self-defense techniques into the concepts underlying the fighting art, explaining how and why the moves ...

Compiled from Bruce Lee's own notes and writings, Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do is the seminal book presenting the martial art created by Bruce Lee himself.Jeet Kune Do was a revolutionary new approach to the martial arts in its time and is the principal reason why Bruce Lee is revered as a pioneer by martial artists today, many decades after his death. The development of his unique martial art form—its principles, core techniques, and lesson plans—are all presen...

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...

Complete Shotokan Karate is actually two books in one: a thorough history of Japanese karate in Asia and the United States, and an instructional manual for students of the Shotokan method.Part One outlines the history of karate from its probable origins in India (or perhaps Greece), and its transmission from China through Okinawa to Japan. Relevant aspects of Japanese history and culture, such as the samurai ethos and Zen, are emphasized.

Can intuition help when you are faced with violence?Legally, do you have to wait for someone to strike first before you can defend yourself? What are the best techniques to use if your assailant is stronger and more skilled than you are? And what about defending against weapons and even gang attacks?Drawing from more than two decades of international experience – including providing security to aid workers in Iraq and teaching his own system of self-defence...

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...