Customer Reviews

Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior

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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!

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!

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior" by Peter Hobart. The book can be read pretty quickly. It contains 50 short chapters in 161 pages and then includes a short Glossary of Japanese terms used in the book as well. While the chapters are short, the contain some very important lessons.

The book is a series of lessons that Hobart's martial art master passed to his students while not only teaching martial arts, but teaching virtues embedded in all traditional martial ways. The instructor taught through example that conduct is just as important as ability. He exemplified integrity, dignity, courtesy, chivalry, truth, trust, benevolence, and wisdom. He passed these lessons to his students, and now Hobart has written them down so the reader can blend the philosophical and spiritual concepts found in martial arts with the physical and technical training of their specific art.

The lessons include:

Part I: Foundation

1. Kishido The Way of the Western Warrior
2. Bumon Lineage
3. Shoshin An Open Mind
4. Junshin A Pure Heart
5. Fudoshin A Determined Spirit
6. Ihtaram A Civil Code
7. Enkyoku The Winding Way
8. Ganshiki Insight
9. Discretio Mater Virtutis Restraint
10. Noblesse Oblige Obligation

Part II: Range

1. Bangei Versatility
2. Bunbuichi Sword and Brush
3. Bokuden, Ima Anachronism?
4. Koji The Master Texts
5. Nihongo The Lingua Franca
6. Shika, Doka, Renga Expression
7. Heiho Strategy
8. Koan Mumonkan
9. Kanpo Healing
10. Garyotensei The Eyes of the Dragon

Part III: Strategy

1. Yohei Mercenaries and Merchants
2. Gi Right Decision
3. Yu Bravery
4. Jin Benevolence
5. Rei Right Action
6. Makoto Truth
7. Meiyo A Matter of Honor
8. Chugi Loyalty
9. Ichigo, Ichie The Power of One
10. Hanare Time to Let Go

Part IV: Harmony

1. The Dao Interconnectedness
2. Docere Versus Ducere Instructors and Educators
3. Primum Est Non Nocere First Do No Harm
4. Chaqun A Son Gout Horses for Courses
5. Shojin Demagogues and Curmudgeons
6. Stare Decisis Tradition
7. Girei Professional Courtesy
8. Kiki Opportunity
9. Kouhei No One is Above the Law
10. Tatsutoriatowonigosazu Leave Things a Little Better Than You Found Them

Part V: Void

1. Kotan Elegant Simplicity
2. Heisei Serenity
3. Fuga Refinement
4. Enryo Reserve
5. Panache A White Plume
6. Gyakute The Unexpected
7. Hokosaki Advance and Be Recognized!
8. Okunote The Other Hand
9. Matsunen The Final Days
10. Renzoku Passing the Torch


As you can see, there are quite a few topics with quite a range of lessons. I think some of the most important are illustrated in the final chapter, those of gi, yu, jin, rei, makoto, meiyo, and chugi; or Right Decision, Bravery, Benevolence, Right Action, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty.

The book is full of stories and examples of how the master not only taught the lessons, but lived them as well. I'll say again, you can read through this book quite quickly, but it will mean more if you savor each lesson and look to see if you are applying it to your own life. I know I related many of the lessons to teachings that I've had from my instructors and I looked for ways that I could better live by the code outlined in this book to make me a better teacher as well. I hope to be an example of these traits to my students also, and I truly believe if you are going to teach someone skills that can hurt or kill someone, you must also instill the positive character traits so that person will only use those skills if necessary and will never misuse the teachings.

I highly recommend this book. I believe the teachings Hobart has shared from the wise master will enhance your own martial art journey.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the DVD set Hapkido Cane.

I had never heard of this author before, nor have I read any of his books previously. However, I was exetremely impressed by the philosophical lessons and teachings of this book. After chapter 2 (which is a somewhat dense historical background of the topic) the book became a very smoothe and easy read. I was immediately able to apply its lessons to my life and thoroughly enjoyed the thought provoking subject matter.
I reccomend this book for all of those interested in the philosohipcal teachings of the martial arts and military history.

I found this book to be an interesting read. It is divided into five sections, each containing 10 short commentaries about different subjects which are applicable to the martial arts. Each new commentary is accompanied by interesting quotes which introduce the commentary's theme. While this is not my favorite book on martial philosophy at all, it is worth while and it is an interesting read. It is well done and well organized. I think that you will find it enjoyable and be able to pull a few gems from the pages of Kishido.

Bohdi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

Having been involved in the martial arts for more than forty five years, and having reviewed hundreds of books, I found this book to be both entertaining and highly informative. It covers various topics all related to living the way of the warrior. The book is organized into five sections. Part one covers the Foundation of warrior philosophy. Part two deals with the Range. Warrior strategy is explained in section three. Part four emphasizes the importance of harmony in following the way of the warrior. The final chapter covers the void. In conclusion, this is a book for anyone interested in the philosophical foundation of living the way of the warrior.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors).

This collection of short stories is very philosophical and eclectic spanning a wide range of topics that all have to do with personal growth. The story Ihtaram: A Civil Code takes place takes decades ago on the Arabian Peninsula. The author incorporates Bushido principles as he tells of a good host allowing a murder to happen rather than violate the code of hospitality. The point of this extreme story is to show that the host chose to find resolution by working within the mandated code. I don't exactly agree with this viewpoint but the story was intriguing. I also loved the calligraphy and the quotations.

....ask those who have gone before. Sometimes, I struggle to blend eastern thought with everyday western living. Peter Hobart helps by taking years of experience and distilling it down to an essence over a few pages. Pick out either an idea or concept listed, and gain a new thought (or revisit an old one semi forgotten) to work on. Not just for the martial artist, also for those who wish to live, rather then exist.
The chapters may be thin, so what?! Never say in 300 words what can be said in 30.So, if you are wanting to stetch your mind, or just want a degree of clarity in everyday living, then perhaps this is the book for you.

A very readable series of essays on the philosophy behind the martial way. I'm reading it again as a guide for teaching design in an art school.