Black Medicine: The Dark Art of Death [Paperback]

N. Mashiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1978 | Series: Black Medicine S.

A thorough analysis of the human body's vital points and how to use them to your advantage in combat handgunning and all types of hand-to-hand combat situations. Must reading for military combat specialists, martial artists and those interested in self-defense.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; First edition (March 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873641019
• ISBN-13: 978-0873641012
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars DARK ART OF DEATH???, April 18, 2003

By 

Tyr Shadowblade (TM) (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Medicine: The Dark Art of Death (Paperback)

NOTE: Two reviews written by me are in this section. For some reason, volume 2 of this series ("Weapons at Hand") is listed seperate from the other three volumes, and Amazon further erred by placing my review for that book in this section as well! I am writing this to let readers know that, unlike "Weapons at Hand," volume 1 of this series is NOT "5-star" material! Let there be no confusion about that!

Of all the questionable "atemi-waza" and "pressure-point" books available, "Black Medicine" is one of the best. However, like these other books, the effectiveness of these strikes is greatly exaggerated. Sure, gouging an eye or blowing out a knee will end most fights, but if you attempt to grind your knuckles into a nerve cluster or pull some silly stunt like the "Vulcan nerve pinch" in a real right against a determined adversary, he'll just laugh in your face before slamming said face into the nearest wall! Pressure points take years to master, and are of dubious value, providing a false sense of security to the beginner. Read this, and all such books, with skepticism.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the first books I ever owned on the subject!, March 19, 2007

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Author of the Achieving Kicki... (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Medicine: The Dark Art of Death (Paperback)

Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is N. Mashiro's, "Black Medicine: The Dark Art of Death."

This was one of the first books that I ever purchased years ago when I was in high school and starting to learn about the martial arts. This book gives you a very good overview on the vulnerable and vital points on the human body and is very informative. If you are interested in self-defense or any of the martial arts, I would definitely put this book on your too buy list.

Introduction:

1. The 3 Ways To Get Your Attacker To Stop Hurting You

a. Make him lose his concentration.
b. Interfere with his control over his body.
c. Destroy the integrity of his body.

2. The 3 Ways To Kill Your Opponent

a. Destroy the central nervous system.
b. Destroy or interfere with circulation.
c. Interfere with breathing.

What the author does with this book is to give you a fairly basic, yet detailed description of the locations of certain vulnerable and vital areas of the body, and the effects that certain blows can and will have when directed against these areas. This is done not only through accurate written descriptions, but also through the realistic and practical use of photographs and in some cases, illustrations.

The author breaks down the following chapters to vital points located in certain areas of the body and its extremities. They are as follows:

1. Vital Points of the Head
2. Vital Points of the Neck and Throat
3. Vital Points of the Upper Trunk
4. Vital Points of the Lower Trunk
5. Vital Points of the Hand and Arm
6. Vital Points of the Leg and Foot

The author concludes this book with a section on the vital points of pistol shooting. Which in and of itself is a remarkable section and one in which an entire book should be devoted.

This review is without a doubt the shortest one I have ever written, and on a book that should be a staple in the library of every martial artist and/or self-defense practitioner. Simply stated, "If you could only have a select number of books in your library, this book would definitely be one of them."

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good information - but not very complete, July 14, 2001

By 

C. Pellitteri (Upland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Medicine: The Dark Art of Death (Paperback)

This book basically covers a list of target areas. Points on the body to strike and what effect a strike to that area might have. It isn't a "death touch" or "instant kill" kind of goofy voodoo psuedo martial arts book. It is more of a basic anatomy book for martial artists. It is very interesting but not very through, but how could it be at 92 pages especially when many of the pages are simple black and white photographs. An example of one of the pictures is a woman biting a man's ear. Does one really need an expalination AND a picture to figure that one out? Over all, an interesting book with good information.