Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior [Paperback]

Peter Hobart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Kishido unites the Eastern and Western martial traditions to create a new breed of peaceful world warrior. Here it is -- pure Eastern martial arts tradition, adapted to the Western Warrior. Kishido unites the best of the Eastern samurai and Western knight-warrior tradition. The principles of Kishido make it uniquely adapted for today's professionals and for people who draw on many influences. The book is divided into concise, readable essays on the principles of kishido.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Hobart has spent his life seeking out and practising the principles embedded in the Eastern and Western martial arts traditions. He has studied and taught five martial arts traditions and trained in Oriental healing, Japanese language, calligraphy, bonsai and feng-shui. Mr Hobart was a leading member of the UNESCO North Pole Expedition, and is currently a senior instructor at a school for martial arts. Peter Hobart is also an assistant district attorney in Pennsylvania. He holds a law degree from Villanova and a Masters of Philosophy degree from Cambridge University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hohm Press (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890772313
• ISBN-13: 978-1890772314
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #669,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a book about the martial arts, January 1, 2004

By 

Robert Miller (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior (Paperback)

This book is of great interest and value to any person seeking to live a life more fully actualized. While frequent reference is made to the author's martial training, and there is a touch of history, this is not a book about the martial arts. No "moves", holds, or techniques are described; rather, it is primarily a work of 'practical' philosophy. The reader is rewarded with a cohesive overview of the author's insights, organized in a way that makes the reasons for the lessons more apparant, thus enabling the reader to better appreciate and retain the lessons. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm to all thoughtful people!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kishido: The Art of the Western Warrior, August 6, 2003

By 

Rick Robinson (Plymouth Meeting, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior (Paperback)

About 2500 years ago the Chinese General Sun Tzu gave his people, and subsequently many others, a guide for martial thinking in his `Art of War.' Just prior to his death in 1645, Miyamoto Musashi wrote his Go Rin No Sho; `A Book of Five Rings.' Both of these classics still stand today as path for the martial artist, businessman, even clandestine operative, to use for life. What makes them so extant after so long, and mandatory study for so many are the seamless blends of philosophy integrated with true courses of action. While there have been many books on Western warfare, the lack of a concomitant philosophy denied them the consummate wisdom of the oriental texts. Finally there is a choice for the modern martial artists of the western world; Peter Hobart's `Kishido': The Art of the Western Warrior. In his novel Peter presents essays on such varied topics as the importance of a pure heart, as well as what a pure heart really is, to a description of the last few days with a master that illuminates how one might learn to accept his own "last few days."

The book is separated into five parts, perhaps as a homage to Musashi's work, with the parts setting a foundation for thought and life, explaining the range, strategy, living in harmony, and at last, the void.
Each essay is like a Zen Koan, a thought, a meditation of its own. After reading the work in its entirety it is very worthwhile to take any one essay and contemplate it at length. One may also look at the separate titles of each thought and turn to the one which most closely resembles any difficulty, confusion or cusp he or she might at that time be facing.

For the philosopher, Mr. Hobart offers a look into Western/Eastern thinking. For the martial artist he illuminates the necessity of being more than a fighter as well as the obligations he or she must truly assume. For anyone the book is a guide to a more chivalrous life of thought, word and deed.

For those of us who simply wish to be a better, more reasoned, more seasoned, person, this is a must read!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The spirit of the martial arts in print, June 26, 2007

By 

David J. Killian - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior (Paperback)

Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior

I've been studying martial arts for over 35 years (karate, aikido, iaido, and tai chi), and I'm also an amateur historian. Along the Way I've read a good deal (in translation largely) about budo and the historical contexts in which it evolved.

Recently I went in search of books to give as gifts to some of my students, and largely based on reviews at Amazon I picked 'Kishido'. However, to assure that it was 'worthy' for my purposes, I read it before presenting it. I could barely put this book down until I finished it. I've found little else that I've read that has touched me so profoundly and captured the essence of the martial arts, including autobiographies of the masters of the past century.

Not only did I present this to my students, I've now shared it with my peers and teachers, as well as added it to my library. This is one book I'll read more than once, and I highly recommend it to anyone who shares my love of budo.