Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts [Paperback]

Nicklaus Suino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2007

Budo is about learning more than how to fight; true budo is a way of seeking and uncovering meaning in life. Here, Nicklaus Suino, one of the leading iaido teachers in North America, gives expert advice on how to get the most from training in traditional Japanese martial arts such as iaido, kendo, aikido, judo, kyudo, and karate-do. He reveals the essential components of budo training, including:

   • how to determine the principles behind techniques
   • how to develop physical strength, technical strength and strength of character
   • how to discipline your mind to really focus and be in the present moment

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Suino writes balanced, thoughtful works on budo, and this latest work is no exception. . . . This book is a nice introduction to budo for individuals new to the world of the dojo. It is short on hyperbole and long on experience and common sense. I would recommend it as an appropriate work for novice students, although the clarity of Suino's prose and the sincerity of his convictions regarding the benefits of studying budo would recommend it to any reader who shares something of his experience and his beliefs."—Journal of Asian Martial Arts 

About the Author

Nicklaus Suino is a sixth-degree black belt in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido. He is codirector of the iaido division and director of the judo division of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, and is a regional director of the North American branch of the International Martial Arts Federation. He lives in Traverse City, Michigan, and teaches iaido and other martial arts at seminars throughout North America. Information on his seminars can be found at www.artofjapaneseswordsmanship.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill; annotated edition edition (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834805731
• ISBN-13: 978-0834805736
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading, April 14, 2006

By 

John Klassen (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for all practioners of martial arts, especially those who seek to go beyond just the physical skills to a life-long study of the philosophy of budo. Based on his own training and wide reading, Suino has distilled the essence of what he describes as necessary for the proper study of budo. Be warned: he does not offer an easy or short road: real commitment is physically and mentally demanding. Suino lays out the key elements of both, including some of the pitfalls that await. The benefits, however, can be felt not just within the martial art itself, but also in one's broader approach to life.

I particularly liked Suino's criticism of those who are more talk than action in teaching or studying martial arts, and those who are focused more on badges and belts than truly studying the art in all respects. His message is not an easy one for a society focused on quick gratification, self-importance and short attention spans. In addition to the life-long commitment, his call is essentially one of modesty in all aspects: deference for teachers in learning and developing techniques over a period of time, concern for fellow students, modesty in behaviour in the dojo, understanding that learning can evolve and shift its focus but that it has no end point, and modesty in realizing that one is part of, and building upon, very ancient traditions.

Appendices include capsule summaries of the key martial arts and a useful bibliography for further reading.

This is a book to be re-read and contemplated.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Revision of Arts of Strength, Arts of Serenity, May 4, 2006

By 

Susan "susan_in_az" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts (Hardcover)

I purchased this book because I learned and benefited from Suino's Arts of Strength, Arts of Serenity. I was thrilled to see he had a new book out. Unfortunately, this new book is simply the old book revised and rereleased. I'm glad to see the book back in print. But I didn't need a second copy.

Fortunately, Budo Mind and Body is an outstanding gift book. It's a quick, easy read, but it speaks of things that take a lifetime to thoroughly explore. It's written in a clear, straightforward style with the unadorned elegance that one might expect of an iaido stylist. I highly recommend it unless you already own Suino's Arts of Strength, Arts of Serenity.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of Japanese Martial Arts, April 17, 2006

By 

Gail Silver - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts (Hardcover)

A truely excellent overview of the Japanese Martial Arts including discussion of the philosophical and historical basis common to all of them. Suino provides a general description of each of the major budo styles practiced today, with comments that will help the reader to understand which art might best suit his or her needs. He also makes it clear that serious practice is very different from what is offered by most strip mall Karate/Taekwondo/Jujitsu/Ninja schools, and stresses the importance of taking the time to seek out good instructors and their programs. A must read for the serious martial artist and anyone contemplating studying the budo.