Customer Reviews

Hanbo: The Aiki Way, Revised & Expanded

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Actually, I had read the reviews of the 1st edition in which one of the customer reviewers justly complained that "...a page wasted (left blank) for "seminar/practice notes" after each technique is presented ...." before I ordered my copy of this "completely revised and expanded 2nd edition". I thought this new edition might be better, but I was wrong: the author only exchanged one silly idea for another: now each technique is first presented in a step by step fashion, with instructions under the picture (o.k so far). Immediately after this the very same technique is shown again in a "putting it together" sequence (using identical photographs in most cases) without the text "...so that you can more easily see the flow of the techniques...and incorporate the Aiki movement ..." (p.13).
This is simply a rip-off! Does Mr. Goss mistrust the capability of his readers to look over the first series of photos for a second time to create "... a filmstrip-like effect..." (p. 13), this time skipping over text instructions? By leaving out redundant picture series he could easily have doubled the number of techniques shown on those 208 pages!

Also - sadly - many of the photos don't show the footwork involved (which is vital in aiki arts if the techniques are meant to work!) or obscure it as both opponents wear hakama (which may be traditional, but is a didactic mistake - unfortunately seen in many aikido and other martial arts books). A far better visual solution is to have both partners wearing differently coloured uniforms as in George Kirby's jujutsu books.
I also disagree with Goss sensei's strikes against knife attacks: to strike at the MUSCULAR part of the forearm (as in technique 14, picture 2, p. 116) or of the bend of the elbow (as in technique 19, picture 3, p. 149) is not nearly as effective as striking the BONY parts of the forerarm, which hurts enough to make the attacker almost certainly drop the knife.

If you seriously want to learn about hanbojutsu (Aiki or not), my advice is to get yourself a copy of „Stick-Fighting" by Masaaki Hatsumi&Quintin Chambers (originally published back in 1971, well before the ninja craze centered on Hatsumi sensei started!): on less pages you get a lot more techniques (60 compared to 27 in Goss' book) explained in over 300 clear and well chosen photos, a lot more explanatory text and at a cheaper price than this book.

I have been a martial arts practioner for over 15 years. I have studied Korean, Burmese and Japanese Martial Arts. This book is a great workbook for a martial artist. The photos give you step by step instruction. Also one of the nice features is the street application of the weapon in the back of the book. If you train in martial arts this is a great edition to your library. I am very happy to see the evolution from the first edition to the second. I encourage all martial artisit no matter your style to go out and get this work book!

This is valuable book for anyone training in martial arts or someone that would like to know practical self defense techniques with common items such as a cane, umbrella or golf club. There are 23 well defined techniques with step by step illustrations and written instructions.

The layout of pictures and text provides space for making notes. Having studied hanbo under Sensei John Goss, this book is a valuable resource for reference and details. The hanbo is used not as a tool or club but rather than a conduit for aiki. Aiki has many forms; leading, surprise, breath and atemi (strike or a focused cut motion). I have been training for 9 years and this is a book that I use weekly! When you look at the cost per technique, the book is a real bargain.

Now in a revised second edition, Hanbo The Aiki Way is an in-depth guide by 6th degree black belt John C. Goss to self-defense with the Hanbo - a three-foot long staff, though in the modern urban environment any medium-sized, stick-like object such as a cane or an umbrella can be improvised to serve as a hanbo. Hanbo The Aiki Way specifically applies techniques and principles connected to Aiki arts to using the Hanbo to protect oneself. Methods for self-defense against open-hand attacks, knife attacks, and bokken (wooden sword) or jo (staff) attacks are all depicted step-by-step with black-and-white photographs. The text is sparse and directly to the point, and the movements and actions depicted are intended as a starter point, allowing for an infinite number of combinations as needed. The principles of the Aiki way - do not match strength against strength, but rather focus on yielding to, redirecting, and controlling the force of the opponent - are ideal in a dangerous world where there is always someone bigger and stronger than oneself. Goss' years of experience in both practicing and teaching Korindo Aikido show through clearly in this superb supplementary resource useful for both dedicated martial artists and lay people studying basic principles of self-defense.

I recently bought this book, but I have to admit that my expectations
were higher, I do not particurlarly liked the idea of waisting
information repeating strings of photos, sounded to me like he was just has
nothing more to said about such an interesting subject, I definetely was
more impress with Mr. Lowry books than on Mr. Goss, ( no doubt about his
skills ). But I did not feel I got what I want for my money.

As a lifetime student of the martial arts, I was interested in this book because there is very little information on Hanbo-jutsu. Since my school (Bushi Satori Ryu) focuses more on the Hanbo than on the Jo or Bo, I found this book very interesting. Though there are some very good techniques shown, I found some of the techniques too formal and complex to be of real value in actual street combat. Nevertheless, there is value in this book for those seeking a basic guide to the Hanbo.

In my opinion, the best Hanbo instruction that I have seen came from Tanemera's Hanbo video series. If you can get a hold of those films, you will have a complete formal course in the use of the Hanbo.

Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Use of the Cane/Walking Stick for Self-Defense).