The Katas

Bibliography:
Tokitsu, Kenji. "The Katas Meaning behind the Movements." Shambhala. Boston & London.

Review: There are many awesome materials out there on kata that are exemplary in their content and meaning. I have listed my favorites on this blog and my web site recommended reading list.

I applaud the works of:

Bibliography:
DeMente, Boye Lafayette. "Kata: The Key to Understanding & Dealing with the Japanese." Tuttle. Vermont. 2003.

Kane, Lawrence A. and Wilder, Chris. "The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide for Deciphering Martial Applications." YMAA. New York. 2005.

Wilder, Kris. "The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power." YMAA Publication. New York. 2007.

And, we must not forget the references to kata in the  many books listed here and elsewhere that promote the understanding of kata.

This book takes up the cultural basis of the martial art kata as it has meaning to budo. This also speaks to kata in light of both the art of the sword and the writings/teachings of Miyamoto Musashi as understood by Sensei Kenji Tokitsu.

His approach is different and from the expertise of a Japanese martial artists of note. It is highly recommended and can answer many of the questions toward the depth and breadth of kata practice. 

A must read, a must have and a must place it in your library!

The Inner Art of Karate

Bibliography:
Tokitsu, Kenji. "The Inner Art of Karate: Cultivating the Budo Spirit in Your Practice." Shambhala. Boston & London. 2012.

Review: This book is an outstanding choice to provide a different perspective toward the practice of karate. It also speaks to the implementation of budo from Japan into the Okinawan art of Karate. This one is an excellent addition to any karate or martial art library.

Tokitsu Sensei has far exceeded my expectations upon finding this fine book and taken the explanations often assumed by western practitioners and placed them directly within our grasp for us to assimilate and apply in karate goshin-do (budo oriented practice).

He extends meaning in terms and their implementations and applications in an easy westernized format that can and will change how martial artists perceive karate and other budo oriented martial arts. He even uses the sport/combat sport aspects to make his point valid and obvious to all those practitioners as well. 

This book stands tall among such books as the Book of Martial Power and it should be read immediately - get your copy today, click the title above in the Bibliography.

High recommendations to all karate practitioners!

Complete Book of Five Rings

Bibliography:
Tokitsu, Kenji. "The Complete Book of Five Rings." Shambhala Publications. Boston. 2000.

Review: I have several translations from several translators on the Gorin no Sho but this one is a bit beyond those in context, content and understanding. I am in the process of reading it yet felt it a large contributor toward understanding budo, etc. and felt it was a library addition of note.

It is a book with a unique definition and historical time-line on the concept of "budo." A more modern term that speaks to the warrior and the way, etc. A very interesting viewpoint on this single term often used and abused in modern circles of martial arts.

This book has a section at the back in "notes" that discusses the difficulties in translations. It is worth the effort to read this section with diligence simply because the writing of kanji/kana is based from feudal times and influences the culture and beliefs of the Japanese which by direct and indirect influences either comes from or adds to the Okinawan's and Chinese cultures and beliefs. 

More to come .....

Martial Arts Spiritual Dimension

Bibliography:
Payne, Peter. "Martial Arts: The Spiritual Dimension." Crossroad. New York. 1981.

Review: This particular book has many benefits to include the insight of the author. There are some sections that don't seem to fit a philosophical view and don't seem as clear as I understand and would like but it is worth the funds just the same.

The China Study

Bibliography:
Campbell, T. Colin and Campbell, Thomas M. II. "The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health. BenBella Books, inc. Texas. 2006.

Review: This book is important not just for martial artists but for any human being who desires to maximize their potential, both health and martial, through fueling the body and mind with proper foods, etc.

This one was earth shaking for me. I had an incident a few years back and was told to go on medications, etc. and I refused. I already knew there had to be some way around those recommendations and all they would subject to my mind and body as to complications, etc.

I changed my diet but even then it was not enough even when the specialist said diet would not do it. Now, today, I have come to the conclusion that I would refuse both bypass heart surgery and/or angioplasty, etc. along with the drugs and am moving to the diet explained in the China Study. I am almost totally on a plant based diet except for fish. I am going to move away from fish as well and get what I need and what the body truly desires from a plant based whole food diet.

This is something I believe wholeheartedly and the first time I have seen the facts and figures in print that say, this stuff is meant to be how I nourish my body. The stories involved are inspiring and bring me great hope for a long, healthier and happier life way into the hundreds. I want to be a karate-ka who exceeds the hundred ten years mark.

This book is a must read for everyone. You can read some of the stories within the pages and come to understand that this study is earth shaking news and changed my way of seeing my health, fitness and well-being.

ADDENDUM dtd May 18, 2012: I have read this book and find it illuminating yet at the same time I believe that unless you read it with an open mind you will find it ...... it is earth shattering, earth shaking and confirms my growing suspicions about our medical and food industries.  I have changed my diet, I have joined the Dr. McDougall web site and I will live a long and healthy life because I have been presented the information which I CHOOSE to incorporate into my life as my wife will do as well. Thank you Dr's Campbell and Dr. McDougall for going the distance, stepping up to the plate and attempting to do what no one else has the intestinal fortitude to do - create a healthy lifestyle.

The Key [鍵]: Opens [開く] the Door [戸] to Potential

Often I think to myself what it is I am trying to do here on the blogosphere. Am I trying to teach a dogma that is mine regarding martial systems? Am I preaching the gospel according to Charles? Am I forcing my perceptions and beliefs on those who read my mindless meanderings?

No, what I am trying to accomplish is to give a esoteric gift to those who read my stuff. The gift is a key. This key is to open the door of each person's potential. It is to open the mind so it will think for itself.

I don't want folks to follow anything I provide here or in practice but rather to assimilate all that I have to offer and then decide on their own as to its validity and to its value to that individual, that person, YOU!

I am not saying that anything I provide is either true or false, fact or fiction, or good or evil but rather information that may be or at least seems to be "different." It is not right or wrong, good or bad, true or false - just different.

The sages of China teach that a cornerstone of any great structure is the knowledge gained in its building, creation and foundation. It has to be the kind that is subject to reflection and change as to the moment, the person and the environment, etc.

I hope all who read this and my output are discovering the key and using it to open their door to their potential.

Force Decisions

Bibliography:
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Review: I ordered this book yesterday, the 31st of April 2012, and look forward to the read.

This is another "hit" for Rory Miller. In light of the recent news hoopla on the Florida Trayvon and Zimmerman case this is one book every single person who shouted out their indignation toward the police handling things should read, read, and read again.

Mr. Miller provides a lot of information on how Police, generally speaking, work and handle things, i.e. force situations, etc. and does so in a format easy for anyone not a police person can understand.

This is another one for the required reading and understanding rule of any self-protection system including the various forms of martial arts. 

The modest price on Amazon makes this must read book very easy to acquire - get it and read it soonest. :-)

p.s. I just finished Rory Miller's new book. I can state, "When I read of an officer using force I have a better understanding of the circumstances that drove it and the rules, fundamentally, the officer works under. "

The Tao of Pooh & The Te of Piglet

Bibliography:
Huff, Benjamin. "The Tao of Pooh." Penguin Books. New York. 1983.

Review: When I first was told of the Taoist Philosophy through a recommendation to read the tao of pooh I just laughed. When I saw the person's eyes and they shined a seriousness I said, ok, I'll bite.

I have found it to be my most favorite book on Taoist philosophy. The second book of this particular boxed collection, the te of piglet, is a bit of a disappointment. Mr. Huff, to my reading, was a bit put off because the popularity of the Tao of pooh was so successful they kept at him to put out another, i.e. the te of piglet.

Regardless, both have value with the Tao of pooh as the best but the Te of piglet is still worth the costs. As a martial artist I have worked diligently to learn about the cultures and philosophies of those who created the arts, i.e. Taoism, Buddhism, Shitoism to name a few, finding this one on Taoism to be a great primer for further readings.

Go for it, it is fun and informative.

Hara

Bibliography:
Durckheim, Karlfried G. "Hara: The Vital Center of Man." Unwin. 1988.

Review: This is the first real definitive book on the subject of "hara" that I had come across at the time. It is often referenced in other works on various topics such as martial systems and cultural words of Japan and China. Well worth the cost if you can get a copy.

The Best of Dave Lowry

Special Posting: I am lumping all of Mr. Lowry's books into one post with one review simply because of the quality and quantity of his publications. His efforts are most appreciated by this practitioner of karate and I give a highest possible recommendation all of his efforts be added to your library.

The Best of Dave Lowry
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "The Best of Dave Lowry: Karate Way Columns 1995 to 2005." Black Belt Communications. New York. 2005.





 

Persimmon Wind
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Persimmon Wind: A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan." Koryu Books. New York. 2005.

Autumn Lightning
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai." Shambhala Publications. Boston. 1985.
http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Lightning-Education-American-Samurai/dp/1570621152/ref=pd_sim_b_4/103-7155655-3955034?ie=UTF8&qid=1173636227&sr=1-1

Traditions
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways." Tuttle Publishing. Vermont. 2002.

Sword and Brush
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts." Shambhala Publications. Boston. 1995.

Moving Toward Stillness
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Moving Toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan." Tuttle Publishing. Vermont. 2000.








Review: Koryu, a term most have either not heard before or if they do they have no clue as to what it means for their practice of the martial way. Dave Lowry provides those outside the "Koryu circiles" a glimpse into this most "traditional form" of training and practice. In my view it is another wonderful insight into the culture, beliefs and ways of the Japanese Martial Arts.

As readers of this blog and my other blogs know, seeking out the knowledge of the cultures that originated this form we practice called, often incorrectly, martial arts that to not have his publications in your library is a "missing link" to your training, practice and way.

There are a couple of other most excellent sources to the "Koryu (core-you) Ways" but none to date have placed so much in the hands of the neophyte of martial systems than Mr. Lowry.

Try the first in the list if you doubt me. This is a compilation of the articles he writes for black belt magazine. It is the only redeeming quality of that publication that brings me to the newsstand otherwise I prefer CFA magazine. (another personal opinion ;-)