Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.) [Paperback]

Donn F. Draeger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1. | Publication Date: December 18, 2007

Evolved amid the incessant warfare of medieval Japan, bujutsu, or "martial arts," provided the warrior with the technical and psychological training that prepared him to use his weapons in actual combat. Classical Bujutsu emphasizes the intensely practical nature of these martial arts. The author describes sixteen major forms of bujutsu, employing a variety of weapons and techniques.

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: 112 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill (December 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834802333
• ISBN-13: 978-0834802339
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.3 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,071,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't get the japanese martial spirit without reading it, March 4, 2003

By 

"gitirana" (Rio, RJ, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.) (Paperback)

The book in the beginning suggests that we will meet long and profound explanations about how the values and characteristics of the classical warriors in ancient Japan developed... Well, they are not that long, not that profound... I wanted more... BUT... What we have in the book is just great!

Maybe I'm so greedy about this matter that I'm thinking the book could go longer, but it is an excellent work! You can't understand the original martial spirit from Japan if you don't read a book like this...

In the end, the author shows some details about the main traditional Martial Arts in Japan, but the great point is the focus on the development of the characteristics of the classical warrior through the telling and analysis of the historical period in which they developed. The text is dry, economic, and goes straight to the point, telling especially what is important to understand the spirit behind the facts. After all, it is a classic anyone who loves Martial Arts, especially those Japanese, must read!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST OVERALL BOOK ON JAPANESE ARTS, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Classical Bujutsu (The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, Vol. 1) (Hardcover)

The only book that explains the history of japanese warfare so you can see why the martial arts evolved as they did.

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't get the japanese martial spirit without reading it, February 7, 2011

By 

Moacyr M. Gitirana "GITIRANA" (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.) (Paperback)

In the beginning of the book, one can think we will meet long and profound explanations about how the values and characteristics of the classical warriors in ancient Japan developed... Well, they are not that long, not that profound... I wanted more... BUT... What we have in the book is just great!
Maybe I'm so greedy about this matter that I'm thinking the book could go longer, but it is an excellent work! You can't understand the original martial spirit from Japan if you don't read a book like this...

In the end, the author shows some details about the main traditional Martial Arts in Japan, but the great point is the focus on the development of the characteristics of the classical warrior through the telling and analysis of the historical period in which they developed. The text is dry, economic, and goes straight to the point, telling especially what is important to understand the spirit behind the facts. After all, it is a classic anyone who loves Martial Arts, especially those Japanese, must read!