Customer Reviews

Sword & Spirit

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Well researched, well written and well edited. Skoss has done an outstanding job. Any student of traditional or classical bujutsu/budo will benefit from this excellent study of Koryu.

I am currently a beginning/probational member of Shindo Muso ryu which is one of the warrior traditions of Japan discussed in two different essays in the book. I found the following articles in the book very helpful in my practice of Shindo Muso ryu: "Uchidachi and Shidachi" by Nishioka Tsuneo and "Field Guide to the Classical Japanese Martial Arts" by Meik & Diane Skoss. The first essay deals with a detail discussion of the two roles in all kata of Shindo Muso ryu the uchidachi (who is taking the role of teacher and receiving the technique) and shidachi (who is taking the role of student that is practicing the technique). The second essay has a detail field note about Shindo Muso ryu and lists many important facts about the tradition which is very helpful information to some just beginning to practice. I recommend this book greatly for anyone already training in any of the classical warrior traditions or is just doing research on the subject.

Anyone who is a student of koryu or is interested in the classical martial arts of Japan must read this book. The stories are interesting in their history, but even more fascinating is the human aspect to these stories. Diane Skoss has done an excellent job capturing both the essence of the art and the practitioners who keep these cultural treasures alive.

I have an armchair interest in the koryu (old schools of Japanese martial arts) and for this reason I thought this would be a great book. I have to say, for specialists I am sure it is a great book. For myself this isn't a book I would buy again. So what makes it great for specialists is what makes it less useful for me. Unless you are looking for very particular slice of koryu history, you may be better served reading Donn Draeger's works.


That said, this is a very detailed book with very well-written articles on various schools (ryu-ha); some of which have only a small group of adherents. Some chapters that could have a more general appeal are Liam Keeley's application of the Keep It Simple and Short principle to koryu (and martial arts in general) and Karl Friday's examination of kata as a form of practice in various traditions.


One quibble, and perhaps I am wrong and out of my depth here, but Keeley refers the "breakdown and analysis of kata" as "kuzushi". I thought kuzushi was an unbalancing of an opponent. Isn't "bunkai" what he meant? But again, I am no expert and I do not speak Japanese.

So in sum, if you are really into koryu this book is for you, if not, try Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.), Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.), Modern Bujutsu & Budo Volume III: Martial Arts And Ways Of Japan (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, Vol 3) or Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.

If you are interested in samurai-era Japan, you cannot pass up Warriors of Medieval Japan (General Military).
ENJOY!

In conjunction with the other two books in this series, this volume represents a marvelous addition to martial arts literature.

Diane Skoss has put together another find collection of short articles which give us a list and short history of the martial arts of Japan. Which focus on the schools which teach the sword and jo.

Excellent introduction to unusual arts are still practiced today. Many I was not aware of. So let this series help you build a foundation for those of you that study Japanese martial arts; or are like me just interested in the history of asian martial arts in general.