Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts [Paperback]

Dave Lowry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 1995

This moment of perfect clarity that is the force behind all the traditional Japanese arts—from archery to flower arranging—is celebrated here in Dave Lowry's exploration of the common principles shared by calligraphy and the martial arts.

Forty-two examples of Lowry's calligraphy, accompanied by his essays, show how the way of the brush reflects the strategic principles of the way of the sword. Each calligraphy represents a term from the martial arts—such as do, the way, or wa, harmony. The accompanying text amplifies our understanding of the term, what it meant to Japanese warriors, and what it means to practitioners of calligraphy and the martial arts today. What becomes clear is that these two seemingly unrelated disciplines actually partake of the same profound elemental spirit.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Lowry is an accomplished martial artist, calligrapher, and writer. He is the restaurant critic for St. Louis Magazine and writes regularly for a number of magazines on a wide variety of subjects, many of them related to Japan and the Japanese martial arts. He is the author of numerous books including  Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai, Sword & Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts, Clouds in the West: Lessons from the Martial Arts of Japan, and The Connoisseur's Guide to Sushi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (September 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570621128
• ISBN-13: 978-1570621123
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.3 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into the meaning of martial arts-related caligraphy, August 16, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

Lowry, an accomplished martial artist, teacher and student of Asian history, presents another terrific insight into the wonderful world of the martial arts. Each "chapter" begins with the traditional japanese caligraphy for a common martial arts term. Lowry then breaks the components of the caligraphy character(s)which gives even seasoned students of the martial arts a new perspective on both the term and their training. This is followed with commentary and insights into how this relates to the martial arts training experience. The calligraphy for "Kyu" (color-belt ranks) for example is dissected into elements that represent the "tying together of threads." Lowry then allows the reader to "discover" how this relates to martial arts training (my "discovery" was that, just as threads are woven together to make cloth, the experiences of a "lower rank" student are "woven" together to create a "black belt" rank.) I highly recommend this book to intermediate and advanced students of Japanese martial arts. Lowry's perspective allows the reader to fully understand what previously were "simple concepts" and re-evaluate the way they approach their training.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth multiple readings, March 9, 2005

By 

Howard Upton (Hope, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

Dave Lowry has written an excellent book that I've read on more than one occassion. As a bugeisha (one that studies the traditional Japanese martial ways) this small treatise on terms, kanji and philosophy used in most budo settings is quite enthralling.

I've found that as I've progressed in my own training, Mr. Lowry's "Sword and Brush" becomes even more profound. Going to my bookshelf, dusting off the book cover and reading it each year has proven fruitful. His simple and direct approach provide insight into shodo (the way of the brush), a particular kanji(s) history, which allows the reader to visualize the origins of the pictograph, and its transcendence into the combat ways of Japan. Each philosophical overview imparts a wisdom found by one who has truly studied the arts and can teach intricate meanings to the reader.

Lowry is a true student of the arts; an individual steeped in budo and bujutsu. He gets "it," and tries to share his knowledge with others.

Buy this book, you won't regret it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, February 5, 2002

By 

Modern Viking (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts (Paperback)

Swordsman and calligrapher Dave Lowry discusses 42 Japanese concepts. Amongst other things, he covers do (the Way), martial arts teachers, training in the martial arts, timing, ku (emptiness), tan (forging), intent, gei (the cultivation of craft), and austerity. I myself practice eskrima, which has nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese martial arts, yet I found this book directly inspiring and helpful to my own training, so I would recommend it to any martial artist regardless of art.