My book collection and question

[CrimsonDemon]

I have a small collection of books of my interests and some of them actually put function to my performance. Some of these include academic studies of Dr. Haha Lung and his ninja based series, and Petra & Toyo Kobayashi in Classical Tai Chi sword.

To let everyone know, I will absorb anything that will give me a greater understanding and power to my learning and active ways to my training and developing my physical self, another reason why I picked up the best of Inside Kung-Fu: Ultimate Training for the Martial Arts.

But then it hit me when I picked up two specific books that really caught my attention at the book store: Kazumi Tabata's, Secret Tactics; and Inazo Nitobe's, Bushido.

Given I haven't fully read through every one of the books I have(and don't mistake me for someone that just looks for cheap instructionals and tries to follow the diagram), but what little I have looked through these it really inspired me to think about how and why I work my training. Especially my mindframe behind it.

Afterwards, it got me to thinking through many media examples, "What are other culturals sophistications? Especially fighters?" Ranging from the proper speaking English rapier fencer, to the couthe and passionate honor of the Samurai; I wonder what are the guidelines and expectations of other fighter's etiquettes and sophistications?

Anyone know of any books or guides that would help teach other cultures' politeness, manners, and attitudes? Especially that of other cultural fighters?

And to let it be known, I'm not really looking for a collection, more like individual instructionals. But, I'll take anything I can get my hands on.

[Mufty]

Never mind it's all in the mind He he He Just kidding :bang: :bang:

[CrimsonDemon]

Bump. Rather have another chance to pray I'm being taken seriously.

[Crimson_Stone]

Anyone know of any books or guides that would help teach other cultures' politeness, manners, and attitudes? Especially that of other cultural fighters?


Most of my hobbies are rooted in U.S. and Japanese history, but I will take a stab at trying to help.

One book that comes to mind is by Richard Cohen and titled By the Sword : A History of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions

It covers swordsmanship from all around the world, from the ancient to the modern. There are chapters dedicated to specific topics such as Japan's Sword culture, swordfights and hollywood, and the history of the blade. However, most of the book is spent on dualist, fencers, and athletes in Europe. The footnotes and stories on these historical characters range from histerical to saddening, but mostly funny.

This book spends many pages on the men and women who met on the moores to settle disputes with cold steel. It discusses the rules of the duals and often the altercations that led to the challenge, which are often quite entertaining. It is an interesting read on both the blade in hand and the man/woman wielding it.

For more specific topics the Hagakure and Bushido Shoshinsu read like the samurai's guide to living during the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The historic Yagyu Munenori's book is published under the titles The Life-Giving Sword, The Way of the Living Sword, and Sword and the Mind. It oulines his methodology of swordsmanship. Not an easy read though.

Unfettered Mind is a series of letters from Takaun Soho to Yagyu Munenori discussing the similarities between swordsmanship and Zen Buddhism. Another not so easy to read.

The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi by William Scott Wilson is a biography on Japan's most renowned swordsman. Its also the only book I can think of that exhibits Musashi's incredible paintings and woodwork.

Hope this helps

[CrimsonDemon]

Thanks, I'll look into those as soon as I get the chance. Love the name by the way :love:

[Still Waters]

Another book you might find interesting is one I'm reading at the moment. It is a translation of The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Mushashi.