Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.) [Paperback]

Donn F. Draeger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol. | Publication Date: December 18, 2007

Donn Draeger was one of the most famous and well-respected martial artists of the twentieth century, and he was a pioneer in bringing Asian martial arts study to the West. Here, he illuminates the compelling historical, political, and philosophical events that gave rise to the development of the budo arts. The classical budo, or "martial ways" are not combat systems like their forerunner, bujutsu, or "martial arts"; nor are they sports like modern judo, kendo, or karate. They are first and foremost spiritual disciplines, whose ultimate goal, achieved through the most rigorous mental and physical training, is self-realization in the tradition of Zen Buddhism. The author details the history, philosophy, and methods of a variety of these "martial ways," some using weapons and some weaponless, and reveals how they evolved from their combative roots. The book includes fascinating artwork from classical sources, and archival photographs of modern budo masters in action.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donn F. Draeger was a U.S. Marine Corps officer and a historian of martial arts disciplines, in which he held a variety of expert ranks and teaching licenses. He was technical director of the magazine Martial Arts International and author of many books on the fighting arts of Asia. He died in 1982.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill; 2nd edition (December 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834802341
• ISBN-13: 978-0834802346
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.4 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great basic guide to the development of the martial arts in Japan., August 24, 2009

By 

Joseph J. Truncale "warriorwriter" (Vernon Hills, Il) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.) (Paperback)

This book is the second in a three book series by the late Donn F. Draeger. This volume continues its exploration into the development of the Japanese martial arts from a Jujitsu(Art)to using the term "DO" (meaning way).

This text covers the historical setting, the rational of developing combat systems, the methods used, and the formation of the Budo systems. Where the Jujitsu systems were designed strictly for practical military use, the Do (Judo, Kendo, Nagainata Do etc)systems emphasized character development. Sport systems also were developed from many of these original military combat systems. For example, Jujitsu, which focused on practical street and military combat, decreased in popularity by Judo, which is a sport.


In conclusion, if you are serious about the martial arts you will want to own the entire three book series by Draeger.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tanto-Jutsu Official Manual of Bushi Satori Ryu).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entering the way, August 7, 2011

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.) (Paperback)

It is generally acknowledged that Donn Draeger was the leading English speaking expert in both practice and background knowledge. His nearly exhaustive and unique experience of Japanese martial arts, modern and ancient, is practically unparalleled. This text bears witness to Draeger's noted ability to lucidly express the Japanese mindset to Westerners.

This book is the companion volume to his text on bujustsu, emphasizing the "do" over the "jutsu". Put another way, the "do" suffix denotes a practice that has as its goal spiritual/philosophical enlightenment while the "jutsu" pertains to the art of combat. As peace come to reign in the 1600s (early Edo period), the need to retain large standing armies began to fade and those of the samurai class began to cultivate the less martial side of their arts.

The book is more or less broken into two parts. In the first half, Draeger succinctly summarizes the historical context of the classical budo, situated in the Tokugawa shogunate, with new social orders being created to maintain political stability alongside the redefining of older ranks. The roles of zen an neo-Confucianism are continually referenced in the development of "do"; "[It is] the elevation of the mind, the reaching out to what is beyond the present self, that is to be sought." A highly detailed discourse on the nature of martial training under the "do" system will resonate with most traditional martial artists even today, with the emphasis on the riddle of learning, a type of zen koan, that leads to satori, enlightenment.

In the second half the actual schools of "do" are explored, from archery to spear to sword, with many others as well. Here again Draeger's expertise shines through, as he was a personal exponent of many of these arts under some of the most famous of teachers. When it came to Japanese arts, Draeger didn't dabble. He was all or nothing.
If you have an interest in Japanese martial arts, this is a must have resource that you will return to many times.

4.0 out of 5 stars ein bisschen fehlt, September 6, 2010

By 

Konrad Stein "El viejo lobo." (Hettstedt) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.) (Paperback)

Ich bin ein großer Freund des Herrn Draeger. Seine Bücher waren zu ihrer Zeit Vorreiter, aber auch heute noch sind sie absolut lesenswert. Nur die Details sind oft ein wenig zu sparsam gehalten. Es gibt inzwischen Werke, die tiefer in die Materie eintauchen und doch nicht überfrachtet sind.
Dennoch hat sich der Autor vier Sterne verdient.