Customer Reviews

Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book can be taken two ways. First, it can serve as an introduction of safe, practical use of the bokken (patterned after Yagyu-Ryu) to the beginner swordsman. It offers selected waza taught in such a way as to emphasize perfection of sword technique and to maximize the excercise potential of the practitioner (it's a great workout!). The waza are thoroughly explained and are accompanied by many helpful photographs.

The second, and probably more significant, point of this book lies in the author's introduction of the term, suburi. Early in the book, he explains the historical ryu system: samurai were expected not only to master the sword, but also empty-handed Bugei, music, literature, and especially, poetry--it was an exhaustively prohibitive commitment to a Renaissance way of life. Even if one today had access to an authentic dojo representing a respected ryu, cultures and social norms worldwide have changed so much since the days of feudal Japan that such commitment to the truly authentic training of the samurai would be impossible, or at the very least, would wholly lack the practicality to make such a commitment worthwhile in today's complex world.

In order to preserve the spirit of Bugei, however, the author offers us an alternative. Suburi is actually a two-fold path of training applicable to all bushi (practitioners of ANY martial art): on one hand, there is the physical aspect of bokken training. The mere excercise offers patience, discipline, stamina, and especially, grace all with which to supplement the style of the reader (be it empty-handed, or otherwise). The second path is a spiritual one. It calls the bushi of today to make a commitment to the study and practice of the philosophical side of the martial arts. Specifically, for those to whom honor, duty, and self-sacrifice still truly mean something, this sort of spiritual (as well as physical) training may be the only appreciable way to preserve Bushido, the way of the warrior, in the modern world. In addition, it may serve as the only way to offer this teaching and way of life to today's warriors around the world who have no practical access to authentic dojo training.

Of course, traditionalists will argue that this is merely another modern perversion of the Bugei, and admittedly there may be truth to this. But it cannot be denied that Bushido may soon be lost to the world if steps are not taken for the preservation of its spirit. Also, such teachings and ways of life could benefit so many worldwide who hold so dear personal integrity, honor, and other characteristics of the spiritual warrior. Thus, it is my belief that the author's conception of suburi is an invaluable one. I humbly suggest to any who are really capable of relating and sympathizing with this review any of the many books available on the subject of Bushido, or other martial arts-based philosophies.

As an Aikido student I was looking for a reference guide for katas and exercises so that I could practise outside the dojo. This book does not provide complex single katas ( it only has two very basic ones )so I was disappointed in that respect, however I did find the various introductory articles very educational and certianly relevant to any martial art whether you are trainig with a sword, a staff, or are doing empty handed techniques. My advice is: buy the book ad keep in mind Mr. Lowry's advice at all times but don't expect a visual feast of amazing pictures ( they are just plain black and white ). If you take this book as an introduction you will like it and hopefully it will push you to train harder and find out more about Japanese swordsmanship.

I was prepared to be disappointed-but was pleasantly surprised. I have studied the sword for years, and yet learned something from this book. For a beginner, too, its clear, concise explanations, coupled with well thought out photographs, will prove an excellent study guide or workbook. There are minor deficiencies, occasionally, but they will provide the student an incentive to put down the book and physically explore what Lowry is trying to demonstrate.

There are few like Musashi, who need little personal instruction. This book is not a substitute for a good teacher, but an excellent adjunct to one. The Way is not a set of rules. It is only the Way.

Having no formal martial arts training I found this book very informative and easy to use. It wasn't too complex for me to understand. The information is presented in a well balanced form of historical awareness and application of the techniques. Though there is no subsitute for true martial arts instruction, this book will help anyone interested in learning the art of Japanese swordmanship to get started.

This book provided step by step instruction with many pictures at different angles. It goes into the philosophy of the sword and its role as a metaphore for life. It opens your eyes to a way of life lead by the discipline of the sword. It's inexpensive and gives the basics of the art. ----Buy the Book.----

Bokken Art of the Japanese Sword is a good introductory book. It shows all of the basics of stance, movement, and the basic cutting moves. Good quality photographs accompany the movement sequences, similar to other martial arts books of this type. The only complaints would be that the book is a bit on the sparse side and does not have many combination moves, advanced moves, or kata to aid in training. For the relatively low price, it is still a good value for an introductory guide, but the reader will quickly want to move up to a more advanced text to accompany their training.

Some other books on this subject wrongfully encourage competetiveness and emphisize on the opponent getting hurt. Instead, this book stays true to it's ancient Japanese roots- emphizing throughout to focus on Kirihaku, or to "Cut at the impurities" within the self. Approached this way, and with easy to understand picture secuences with great photographs, helpful sections on clothing and equipment, and a great learning curve with plenty of different forms, strikes, and techniqes with a partner makes this a fantastic book for any begginer and perhaps for others as well. A very complete section on the origins of the Bokken, along with the famous tale of Miyamoto Musashi's fight with Sasaki Kojiro, round it out for much better understanding of the art overall. If you are interested in Bokken, THIS IS THE BOOK TO GET.

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations were well done, and the fact that some techniques were shown from different angles was also helpful. I also enjoyed the historical information and background this book had to offer. It is a must for sword enthusiasts.

BY THE TIME I READ LOWRY'S BOOK, I WAS A YEAR INTO MUSO SHINDEN RYU IAIDO, AND I FOUND SOME MINOR DESCREPANCIES IN THE HANDLING OF THE BOKUDO AND THE KATANA. MOST OF THE STANCES AND POSITIONS OR KAMAE VARY ONLY EVER SO SLIGHTLY. I FOUND "BOKKEN" TO BE VERY HELPFUL IN SOME AREAS AS IT IS FULL OF PHOTOGRAPHS SO THERE IS NO MISTAKING WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE THE BOKKEN AND MOVE ABOUT.
IT'S AN A+ BOOK FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER!

It covers all the basics, with excellent pictures and step by step explanations. You can actually understand the graphic sequences of the movements (in most books you can't). Tries to cover most common errors and how to detect them and work on them. It has some single katas, and some Kumitache Katas (katas with a partner). It's definitely worth reading.