Customer Reviews

Moving Zen: One Mans Journey to the Heart of Karate (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a newly minted ShoDan in Shiho Karano Karate, I have to be skilled in knowledge as well as technique. To that end, I've been reading a number of books on various aspects of the martial arts. One part of that genre are the autobiographical accounts of Budo practitioners. I want to gain deeper insight into my own path through what others have experienced, learned, and how they changed as a result of their martial arts training. "Moving Zen" is one such tale, written by a Welshman who rose to black belt level in Japan during the early 60s. C. W. Nicol, an adventurous twentysomething, decided to immerse himself in the study of Karate. So he moved to Japan and began training at the Yotsuya dojo in Tokyo. "Moving Zen" chronicles the two-year period where Sensei Nicol progressed from a brawny and temperamental white belt to a skilled and calm first-degree black belt. First released in 1975, this newer small-sized edition includes an afterword written by the author in 2001, plus some vintage photographs and simple pencil illustrations.

Sensei Nicol writes with a very pure and austere style, so "Moving Zen" is a fairly quick read. There's not a lot of detailed exposition, although at times he tends to wax eloquent about the spiritual aspects of Nippon, particularly Zen within Karate (hence the title). Sensei Nicol is quite taken with Japanese culture, so you won't see much Western cynicism or skepticism here. Instead, he "went native," marrying a Japanese woman and eventually becoming a citizen of Japan. Of course, Sensei Nicol has his share of trials both in and out of the dojo, due to his hot temper and, ironically, being a gaijin (foreigner) in the somewhat xenophobic society he loves. But his respect, perseverance, and eagerness to learn Karate impress his Sensei and Sempai (not to mention his neighbors), so he eventually wins over even the hard cases. As his studies continue, Sensei Nicol slowly but surely matures and comes to grips with his penchant for "impetuous courage." Despite some slips that would've probably landed him in jail over here, he learns to calm his inner rage and become more tranquil. Indeed, the inner workings of Karate upon his spirit (vs. external fighting ability) become the most precious aspect of the martial arts to him.

I was humbled by Sensei Nicol's unswerving determination and dedication, as well as the harsh training he endured and blossomed under as a Karateka in Japan. One would have to really love the martial arts to deal with the ascetic military-style discipline, exacting technical requirements, and physical pain meted out by Sensei Nicol's superiors. He even had to commute three hours a day(!) via train to his dojo. I'm not sure I'd want to endure all that, although I got a small taste of it as a young Marine under a Japanese Sensei in Yokosuka, Japan. He never abused us, but we sparred full contact (with pads) and performed some extreme exercises, like doing wheelbarrows on our bare knuckles up and down the gym floor. I haven't seen many American dojos that hardcore, including my own. I stand by my current school, but I sometimes miss the intense level of training I had in Japan.

I read "Moving Zen" in conjunction with "Iron and Silk" by Mark Salzman and "Angry White Pyjamas" by Robert Twigger to get multiple perspectives on martial arts training. It's interesting to compare and contrast Sensei Nicol's early 60s presuppositions and experiences with those of Mr. Salzman's in the 80s and Mr. Twigger's in the 90s. Each book is a fascinating snapshot of a particular era, culture, and martial art style (Karate, Wushu, and Aikido). But despite their different philosophies, motivations, and levels of immersion, all of these men demonstrated personal growth and maturation through practicing the martial arts in a persevering way. I found that to be inspiring, and so I recommend all three books.

This is a magnificent book and although I teach a Chinese martial art, I strongly recommend that all of my senior students pick up a copy of it. A classical story of a young man's journey along the path of the martial arts...we all see ourselves at different points in the book...this is a book that you just can't put down.
Until you read it again. And again.

I have read this book probably about a half dozen times. Sadly it was out of print for a long time, but recently came back in to print with a new subtitle "One Man's Journey to the Heart of Karate". I never understood why it was out of print at all. This book is a classic, and is the one that all other martial arts autobiographies are measured against. And I should know because I have read them all (check out my book Martial Arts Biographies-An Annotated Bibliography if you don't believe me). This book is referenced in countless indexes of other books. It really gives a great history of karate in Japan during the 60s. Nicol describes living with other martial artists from the west such as Donn Draeger. If you haven't read it, I strongly urge you to pick up a copy, and read it today.

If you love Budo (especially Karate) or if you love Zen, you will have (as I did) a great pleasure on reading this work of art!
Maybe the expression of Zen in the arts is the best way to contact the alive spirit of this tradition, and I think this work gives a good view of this expression.

Maybe Zen is moving not only in the practice of Karate, but also throughout the pages of this poem written in prose... Mr. Nicol is not only (as his japanese friend wrote to him, page 74) "looking to sky to making poetry"... He makes his poetry also with his feet quite rooted in the floor.

The text is great, because, not claiming to teach us any particular thing, yet it teaches a lot...

You have to know it: It's not a doctrinal book. It's simply as if you were an old friend of the author and he is glad to write to you to tell about his last adventures in a different land and culture, his experiences with Budo... If you like the matter, you will want to end a letter (a chapter - they are 13) and soon beggin the next...

I would just recall that, as far as the matter Zen is concerned, we shall not consider particular behaviors of individuals as a certain expression of a "zen behavior", for it doesn't exist, at least as a crystallized formula... So, for example, the way Karate instructors deal with students weaknesses depends on their culture and on their own, it's not a formula in Karate-do... (Here I'm not saying Mr Nicol presented it as a formula!)

Well, that's it: the only thing I can really resume for those who love the matter of this book is that it's really a classic... If you ever wanted to know the "philosophy" of Martial Arts, Budo, especially classical Karate, you must read it!!

Mr, Nicole tells about Karate from a Western viewpoint and how it was practiced in Japan after the war, but before it became mainstream in America. He recounts his interactions with the Japanese, some nice, some not so nice, and gives detailed accounts about his learning karate in the cold dojo with a wood burning stove as the only source of heat. His adventure is one that many of us envy but would not attempt, as he did and when he did. IN our current day of carpet on the floor, and three inch safety padding, Nicole's book provides a good account of what karate used to be like and should be like today.

This is a wonderful book. It is very easy to read and is appropriate at any level. I have read the book several times and each time I find myself learning something new (or at least comprehending something I hadn't before). As the name implies you will not learn technique from this book, rather you will gain insight through one man's retelling of his story of growing in the martial arts.

This is a great introduction book to Karate & Budo. It is also a short glance to the HUGE personality of Kanazawa Kancho. If you practice any martial art (including traditional budo, sport versions and MMA) you CANNOT miss the reading.

If you love Budo (especially Karate) or if you love Zen, you will have (as I did) a great pleasure on reading this work of art!

Maybe the expression of Zen in the arts is the best way to contact the alive spirit of this tradition, and I think this work gives a good view of this expression.

Maybe Zen is moving not only in the practice of Karate, but also throughout the pages of this poem written in prose... Mr. Nicol is not only (as his japanese friend wrote to him, page 74) "looking to sky to making poetry"... He makes his poetry also with his feet quite rooted in the floor.

The text is great, because, not claiming to teach us any particular thing, yet it teaches a lot...

You have to know it: It's not a doctrinal book. It's simply as if you were an old friend of the author and he is glad to write to you to tell about his last adventures in a different land and culture, his experiences with Budo... If you like the matter, you will want to end a letter (a chapter - they are 13) and soon beggin the next...


I would just recall that, as far as the matter Zen is concerned, we shall not consider particular behaviors of individuals as a certain expression of a "zen behavior", for it doesn't exist, at least as a crystallized formula... So, for example, the way Karate instructors deal with students weaknesses depends on their culture and on their own, it's not a formula in Karate-do... (Here I'm not saying Mr Nicol presented it as a formula!)

Well, that's it: the only thing I can really resume for those who love the matter of this book is that it's really a classic... If you ever wanted to know the "philosophy" of Martial Arts, Budo, especially classical Karate, you must read it!!

a wonderful look at karate, japan, and life. i would recommend this to any person in the world. the best book on karate ever written.