Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives [Paperback]

Stephanie T. Hoppe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

• Twenty-four women martial artists discuss the physical and spiritual challenges of martial arts training and how it helps bring meaning and purpose to their lives

• Women aged 12 to 83 are interviewed on the importance and meaning of martial arts in their lives.

• Explores in-depth why many women are dedicating themselves to the martial arts.

• An inspiration for anyone concerned with enhancing the physical, spiritual,  and social dimensions of life, and for those interested in women's self-defense and safety.

Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror explores in depth how, why, and to what effect considerable numbers of women are dedicating themselves to the martial arts. The twenty-four women interviewed here discuss the physical and spiritual challenges of martial arts training and how it helps to bring meaning and purpose to their lives. Their disciplines include T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Aikido, Capoeira, Wing Chun, Judo, Kajukenbo, Jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kung Fu, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. Some were accomplished athletes before beginning, while others had never been comfortable with their physical bodies until discovering the martial arts. All have received deep spiritual nourishment through their practice, integrating and healing their bodies and minds as well as enriching community bonds. Those interested in women's studies will find a wonderful sample of contemporary American women who speak articulately about the forces that have shaped their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Would you be afraid of a woman with a sixth-degree black belt in Aikido? You shouldn't be, not because she couldn't hurt you (she probably could), but because she may turn out to be the best teacher you've ever had. In Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror, seasoned writer Stephanie T. Hoppe conducts interviews with over 20 remarkable women who have not only excelled in martial arts but have adopted them (or been adopted by them) as a particular path to self-transformation. While many of these women are considered masters of their art, all of them have become masters of themselves--centered, articulate, creative, healthy, and compassionate. The wellspring of this wholeness appears to be the challenge, the camaraderie, and the continuous insights that one gains from dedicated practice of an art form that demands focused attention on what one teacher calls "being both gentle and strong at the same time." Sharing their experiences, we learn how martial arts can transform a person and how martial artists can begin to transform society through leadership and self-development training. --Brian Bruya

Review

"In interviews with women ages 12 to 83, we find these arts well integrated into a sustaining feminine identity and holistic spiritual outlook."
(

Publishers Weekly

)

"I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts that will transform it forever in a very deep way. The martial arts will never be the same again for this influence, and that's been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process."
(

Coleen Gragen, fifth-degree black belt Kajukenbo instructor

)

"In Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror, seasoned writer Stephanie T. Hoppe conducts interviews with over 20 remarkable women who have not only excelled in martial arts but have adopted them (or been adopted by them) as a particular path to self-transformation. Sharing their experiences, we learn how martial arts can transform a person and how martial artists can begin to transform society through leadership and self-development training."
(

Brian Bruya, Amazon.com

)

"In simple terms, this book is about 'Women Warriors on the Integration of the Body, Mind and Spirit,' as stated by the author on the front cover. But it is much more. The interviewing technique-relevant questions appropriate to the person being interviewed, recorded on tape-give an immediacy to the chapters. The discussions seem very real, very pertinent. It is a valuable book for any woman who trains, to encourage thinking and feeling about that training."
(

Cassie Bosley, Women in the Martial Arts

)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892816627
• ISBN-13: 978-0892816620
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Women in Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening view, August 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives (Paperback)

being a man and having practiced with one of the women mentioned in nthe book, I found it intriguing and eye opening to see women martial artists and their perspectives on their arts and how it has affected their lives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new perspective on their martial arts practice and their lives... I know it changed mine

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring..., September 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives (Paperback)

As a female student of the martial arts, I found this book very inspiring. Our lives as girls and women are often filled with men as role models, particularly in areas such as martial arts and certain sports, so this book offered a connection to other women out there who are leading powerful, peaceful lives helping themselves and in turn, others. I also like the structure of the book; you don't have to read it cover to cover, you can skip around & read the sections that catch your eye first. Also, the photos are realistic, they help show us that these are REAL women in REAL life, they are not model-types posing for appearance. The variety of women here is truly inspiring and made me want to find people like this in real life to connect with. And men: get this book for the woman martial artist in your life (or any woman searching for inner strength), she'll really feel you care about her, it was one of the best gifts I ever received from a guy! :-)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flawed by author's musings, but inspiring interviews., October 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives (Paperback)

The book comprises some 20 interviews with women in a variety of martial arts, but it also narrates the author's own journey of exploration. She came to t'ai chi ch'uan in early middle age for health reasons. Her realization of, and mixed feelings about, the martial aspects of that art served as a springboard for her searching out advanced practitioners to discuss their development and training; during this process, violence against women and the Gulf War became personal issues for her that raised further questions and added more overtly political and philosophical subtexts.

But the heart of the book is the interviews, and many of them are choice. Aikido, capoeira, judo, karate, kendo, kung fu, naginata, t'ai chi, wing chung and more are featured. The cumulative effect is deep respect for these hard-working and talented martial artists who share their stories. They range from an 8th dan judoka in her 80s to a group of teenagers. Personally, I was most inspired by the women at the extremes of the age spectrum: the strength, diligence and dignity of our elders, and the spunk, optimism and spirit of our youth are exemplars for us all.