The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu [Paperback]

John Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2001

Master swordsman, calligrapher, and Zen practitioner, Yamoaka Tesshu is a seminal figure in martial arts history. John Stevens's biography is a fascinating, detailed account of Tesshu's remarkable life. From Tesshu's superhuman feats of endurance and keen perception in life-threatening situations, to his skillful handling of military affairs during the politically volatile era of early nineteenth-century Japan, Stevens recounts the stories that have made Tesshu a legend. This is the book all martial artists must own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Though there have been several accounts of the life of Tesshu (he has been called 'the modern Miyamoto Musashi') there has been until now no account in English. John Stevens' is full and responsible. . . . This is a work filled with respect and devotion."— The Japan Times

About the Author

John Stevens is Professor of Buddhist Studies and Aikido instructor at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, Japan. He is the author or translator of over twenty books on Buddhism, Zen, Aikido, and Asian culture. He has practiced and taught Aikido all over the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (August 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570620504
• ISBN-13: 978-1570620508
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspires Martial Artists to Train, September 16, 2001

By 

Antonio Bustillo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu (Paperback)

This is not a detailed biogtaphy, nevertheless, the author gives you a good overview of Yamaoka Tesshu's life. Yamaoka lived during a time when Japan was moving toward industrialization, and we get a glimpse of key historical moments during the transition.
There are numerous accounts that give insight to Yamaoka's mindset and character. Thus, no matter what art the individual reader may practice, Yamaoka's approach to training will reinforce the ideals of the serious-minded.

Unlike other books where certain martial arts figures are ridiculously protrayed like gods, Steven's book has humorous stories and Tesshu comes across like a normal human being who achieved everything throigh his diligent search and practice.

The book's strong point...it inspires hard training.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspiration!, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu (Paperback)

It is a shame that this book is out of print. I regard its appearance before me in an old used bookshop in Florida as a great gift. After reading it I felt compelled to write down a few of its more inspiring passages ... and ended up with a four-page document! Inspiring, and entertaining too. Stevens' account of the life of Tesshu is flavored with scholarship and love. Good luck finding it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, June 2, 2009

By 

Ronin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu (Paperback)

For a long time I was very skeptical of people's claims regarding the greatness of Yamaoka Tesshu. The issue I took was when viewed against someone like Musashi, who killed many adversaries in documented duals often with a wood sword, I couldn't see how anyone could compare such a record with someone like Tesshu who lived in a time of Samurai decline and was not a dueler. After reading this book, now I know.

This is essential reading for anyone on the martial path, and you will be floored by what an amazing individual Tesshu was. Sword of No Sword is loaded with stories and anecdotes on his life, examples of his greatness, and gems of philosophy and martial wisdom.

Tesshu was basically a renunciate freak of nature. He trained harder, drank harder, calligraphied harder, and was simply inhumanly productive partially because he almost never slept. I want to give a number of my favorite quotes, but I don't want to ruin the journey for anyone. However I will make this one exception:

"Tesshu placed himself in formal zazen posture, bid his family and friends goodbye, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and entered eternal meditation. Some accounts said he smiled briefly just before his death. He was 53 years old." (p81) It is said Tesshu is the only person to "die in state", meaning in zazen during the 19th century.

As you can probably tell The Sword of No Sword made me a passionate Tesshu fan. It is said he scripted over 1 million calligraphy's in his life. I am fortunate to have acquired one. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!!