Customer Reviews

Understand? Good. Play!--Words of Consequence

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This is not so much a conventional book but more a collection of thoughts, quotes and ideas put forward by Hatsumi over the more recent years. This book is a must have, as Hatsumi feels that only now he understands what Takamatsu taught him.

It is part practical information on taijutsu and a large part philosophy. You will take from this book that what is right for you. If you are at all interested in matters beyond pure technique then this will amount to far more words than are actually in the book! Ideas that are put forward are optimistic, universal and reflect the true nature of people.

It also reminds me of what a funny guy he is, even though he has all these terribly earnest people coming to see him from all round the world who hang on his every breathe (me included). You have to have a sense of humour, its what makes us human and indeed its what makes good Budo. Hatsumi has never fogotten to laugh or play.

For anyone who has trained in Japan at the Hombu dojo this book will have great resonance. I can best explain it by saying that it's like the faint echo's of Hatsumi's words are suddenly made clear and sharp again. Words where you missed there significance at the time become re-evaluated as Hatsumi speaks to you again from the pages of this book. This is why I say its like a pocket Hatsumi. Strange concept yes, but oh so true...

As the above review says, this isn't a conventional book, but a collection of quotes from Masaaki Hatsumi, Grandmaster of Bujinkan Taijutsu. If you are a casual reader it will be hard to place many of these quote in context, or even understand the terms that are used.

However, if you study the martial arts this book is a wonderful companion. It's hard to describe why I enjoy this book, but I have found it to be an invaluble reference tool in training. If you don't train in a Japanese art some of the japanese phrase may throw you, but most of the book should still be understandable.

I highly recommend any martial artist to pick this book up and enjoy it. The wisdom contained on these pages will keep you content for many years.

This is not the sort of book that you sit down and read straight through. It's not a training manual, not a "how to" ready-made recipe book for ninja enthusiasts. In fact, if you haven't seen Hatsumi or his better students train, then much of this may be plainly unintelligible. In this way it is reminiscent of the densho of old- they only make real sense to the initiated (something I suspect is at play in nearly all of his books, especially the ones with lots of photos and diagrams). Rather, it is a collection of related (and unrelated) snippets into the teaching and training philosophy of Hatsumi.

Topics include themes on fighting multiple attackers, use of blades, foot work, throws, training diligence, the transmission of the essence of the art and much more. There are also nice caveats in the text devoted to the perspectives of his top students.

While I mentioned that the point of the book is not instructional in the "step here and pull here" sense, it certainly would be a welcome addition to most martial artists' reading lists and is instructional on a deeper level, if you have the ability to see and understand.

And this brings up the point of yugen, that mysterious realm of life that isn't quite understood, but rather experienced. Much of this book reminds me of the intuitive approach we must have in our training. I find myself reading parts over now and again and each time I draw something else out. Like an icon or a great novel, it speaks freshly every time. Understand? Good. Play!

Gambatte!

As many other people have said, this book really isn't for the casual reader. If you don't know japanese martial art's phrases, it'll be hard to place a lot of the japanese words. It's a collection of quotes that Maasaki Hatsumi and a few other instructors have said, and it's broken up into different catagories. I'm trying to find this one quote in the book as I write this but I can't find the page...anyway it was one quote that of the hundreds, really stuck with me. It was something like "Taijutsu is not the techniques. Taijutsu is knowing how to take yourself to a safe place." I always thought that was an interesting quote--I sort of interptered it as taijutsu is not the throwing/arm locking/pressure point hitting so much as it is keeping yourself out of harms way. The nice thing about these quotes is their meaning changes over the years as you train for longer and longer periods of time. At first I didn't get a lot of the quotes, but now they're starting to make sense. It's hard to explain why I like this book...some of it is the humor. Some of the quotes really make you think not just about training but about how we see things and treat the world. I'd highly recommend it to anyone in the Bujinkan. I'm only a green belt, but I still get a lot of wisdom out of this book.

A brief note to say how thoroughly entertaining this book truly is. Its a honour to be able to read the quotes of Soke Hatsumi on many wide topics, ranging from training through to life and the budo spirit. Sadly, I doubt I will ever get a chance to train with the great man, but I believe this is as close as it gets. Do not hesitate to buy this if you are a true student, however, if you are looking for glossy photos and a flashy easy read, look elsewhere.

Many people, over many years, have taken Soke's words and moulded them to suit their own ideas and opinions. A lot of Soke's teachings have been interpreted 'on behalf of others' but what is one to do when one has the words in one's own hands? Will those words be willfully transformed? Will they be used to be justify perserverance? Or will they be ignored?

The words in this book are direct from Soke himself and were uttered over many years. To progress in this art, one need only to compare how one thinks about Soke's budo to what the master himself has to say. Naturally enough, if one encounters a divergent path, then the question needs to be asked, 'Who has strayed?'

Use this book as a guide and reminder to stay on track. Accept it as natural that as with Soke's art itself, the words within will adapt themselves to the reader. Depending on that person's nature (and dare I say quality?), the same words will continue to unfold and blossom into newer and fresher meanings.

Non-martial artists with a venturesome spirit ought to be able to find poetic and artistic value in this book. Yet it must be remembered that Soke is a martial artist and those who can come to grasp the sense of Soke's martial 'feeling' will come to realise just how direct and forthright Hatsumi-sensei actually is. The evidence is in the words.

The dragon's tail is hot but if you can grab on to it and not let go...

Bieng in the Bujinkan for over 10 years, I haven't seen a collection of Soke's insight quite like this. When I first bought the book years ago and read it, some things tried to sink in, but now after years of training, I can see the "shell" of what he is saying. He is a man of many words, but to try and understand them will take a lifetime.Thank you Ben Cole and Soke' for allowing this to come to blossom.
If you are in any part of the marital arts, you should pick up a copy of this book. Find yourself some free time, and let your mind go. Enjoy!

I was very lucky to obtain a signed copy with a drawing of a cat!!! One of Hatsumi's hobbies. This has to be one of "THE" best martial arts books I've ever seen. Great photos, very artlike and so revealing. But, the best part is feeling like you are part of this great man. Not an instructional book, but the very essence of all martial art. Ninjutsu practitioners will of course gleam some great thoughts here, but I have found that returning to this incredible book, that no one has hit the nail on the head like Hatsumi. What a wonderful legacy this is and I also thank Benjamin Cole for publishing it. I wish they would put out a second edition, so more people could experience a real book on martial arts. This book gives you everything you need, if you are open enough to receive it!!!

I had been curious about this book for some time. Due to the rarity and price, it took some time to locate a copy that didn't cost an arm and a leg. (let me add that now that I've read the book I understand the high prices)
I was very lucky to find a mint condition copy for 130$ being that prices range up to 1,000$!!!!
This book is all that the 5 star reviews say and more!
Probably one of the best books ever on Martial arts.

Quotes and advice from Soke Hatsumi covering:
Training, techniques, striking, grappling, kicking, taihenjutsu, multiples, kamae, heart, rank, teaching, ninpo, weapons, sword, staff, jissen, and life.

Great book! although not for the casual reader. If you come across a copy....get it!!
One to re-read over and over for a lifetime!

Anyone who has trained wtih soke should read this book. If you haven't, I think some comprehension would be lost. But still very good.