Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts [Hardcover]

Serge Mol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2003

This is an in-depth study of more than 100 special weapons developed for use as part of the armoury of the traditional martial arts of Japan. Each weapon is illustrated with detailed photographs to support the text explaining its history and usage. There are also photographs which show present-day grandmasters demonstrating how each weapon was used.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Serge Mol's earlier volume, CLASSICAL FIGHTING ARTS OF JAPAN: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO KORYU JUJUTSU, is already destined to become a classic. CLASSICAL WEAPONRY OF JAPAN: SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTIS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS is a continuation of that work, focusing on the ancient, special and secret weapons used in Japan's various koryu jujutsu and weapon schools.

About the Author

Serge Mol is the author of the acclaimed CLASSICAL FIGHTING ARTS OF JAPAN: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO KORYU JUJUTSU, and is the first and only non-Japanese to have received the rank of menkyo kaiden in Enshin Ryu Iai, Suemonogiri, Kenpo and Yawara, or to have received menkyo in Hoki Ryu Juutsu.

Before specializing in classical martial arts, Mol also studied various modern budo including kendo, iaido and judo; he has dan ranking in iaido and judo.

Mol has lived and trained in Japan for several years as a direct disciple of Grandmaster Tanaka Fumon - one of Japan's foremost authorities on classical martial arts and special weaponry - and Grandmaster Nakashima Atsumi. In addition to more orthodox classical martial arts such as jujutsu, iaijutsu, kenjutsu, and bojutsu, the author has studied the use of various hibuki (secret weapons) and kakushibuki (concealed weapons). The author's relationship with these grandmasters and reliance solely on original Japanese materials - many of which are ancient, secret texts - make his work uniquely reliable.

Mol lives in Belgium and travels frequently to Japan for additional training and research.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 218 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International; 1st edition (June 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770029411
• ISBN-13: 978-4770029416
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,482,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely well done!, August 9, 2005

By 

L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts (Hardcover)

The work is extremely well researched, clear, and comprehensive; describing things I've never heard of in 30+ years of martial arts. The photographs and illustrations complement the wonderful text. While you can never truly learn any martial art solely from a book, no matter how well-written, this is a very worthwhile tome. It offers unique insight into the lessor-known weapons of feudal Japan, including kobuki (small/minor weapons), hibuki (secret weapons), and kakushibuki (hidden weapons).

Weapons addressed in detail include stuff like jitte, marohoshi, chidorigane, shuriken, and kusari-gama. Content includes bladed weapons (e.g., wakizashi, tanto, kubizashi, kama, jitte, marohoshi), small hand-held weapons (e.g., shutogane, tessho, dokko, suntetsu, tekken), truncheons (e.g., kabutowari, tetto, nashi, tetsuniyoi, hanbo, tanbo), miscellaneous hand weapons (e.g., kanamuchi, tamazue, hogu, kakute, kaginawa), chain weapons (e.g., konpi, kusariryuta, mijin, kusarigama, kursaibo, kusarijutte), shuriken (e.g., yarihogata, tanogata, kuji, senban, shiken, kamagata, tetsumari), deceptive weapons (e.g., yatate, shikomibue, tessen, jutte). A brief introduction on the history and use of each type of weapon precedes each section.

The book is easy and fun to read. I'm really impressed.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars instant classic, September 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts (Hardcover)

At last, a decent book on Japanese feudal weaponry. Sure, there are many good books on the subject, but none of them are in English. If you want to know about the history of a lot of weapons, this is the definitive source. It's almost like looking through a catalog of lethal toys, and many times I found myself stopping to draw diagrams and write out dimensions so I can make some of them myself. As always, Amazon has the best price, so buy it now!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete guide to non-sword weapons of classical Japan, November 13, 2005

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts (Hardcover)

This book is nothing short of amazing. Incredibly detailed and thoroughly researched, it is the Magnum Opus on the subject of non-sword weaponry in ancient Japan. Swords have been covered extensively in many books, so it is very worthwhile to give the rest of the arsenal their due.

A history lesson as well as a weapons guide, "Classical Weaponry of Japan" compiles the secret scrolls of the various fighting schools of old Japan, along with the collections of noted weapons-scholar Fumon Tanaka and the authors personal collection of ancient weapons. From these, Serge Mol not only describes the weapons, their fighting styles, their lineage, but also the historical genesis behind the creations.

The sword being the legal property of the Samurai class, and its wearing and use highly proscribed, the non-Samurai citizens of Japan were incredibly creative in their adaptation of daily implements into lethal weapons. Also, each fighting school, in order to attract students, created a unique and secret arsenal of weapons available only to their high-ranking adherents. In this way, a warrior could unveil a weapon that his opponent had never seen, and thus would be unsure as to how to defend against.

The book is divided into seven categories of weapons, such as bladed weapons, small hand-held weapons, truncheon-like weapons, shuriken and shurikenjutsu, and deceptive weapons. Each category then contains sub-categories, with several weapons described. Altogether, more than 100 different weapons are showcased, along with their histories and uses. Most weapons are accompanied by photographs, and several are shown in use. Some favorites include the spectacular Kusarigama (Sickle and Chain), which I have seen used in several films due to its visual flair, and the beautifully decorated Omamorito (Protection Knife) which high-ranking women carried in order to kill themselves should they be "dishonoured" during a castle raid.

A necessary book for weapons and martial arts enthusiasts, it is also a perfect reference book for writers and readers of ancient Japan, including those interested in Samurai films and comics.