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 Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:07 pm
With all the literature available on Martial Arts it's sometimes hard to decide which book to actually pick up and read. While I definitely think it's important to devour all the knowledge and wisdom you possibly can, some works are definitely held in higher regard and are worth stamping "PRIORITY". Pass on the good reads you've stumbled across; just give us the title, author and a BRIEF explanation as to why you reccomend the book.
I'll go first!
The Book:
The Journey: The Oral History of 24 of the Most Proficient American Kenpoists of Today
Author:
Joe Hyams-Author of 'Zen and the Martial Arts'
Reason for Suggestion:
A must read for anyone interested in how American Kenpo came to be. It Profiles not only Ed Parker but many of his most accomplished students including John Sepulveda, SigungLeBounty, Dennis Conaster, Jeff Speakman, and even the King Himself, Elvis Presley. I periodically pick this book up just to skim through it. It's nice to read the personal histories of the men that made kenpo and how they found the art, especially because I have had the honor and pleasure (and sometimes excruciating pain xp ) of working with a few of them.
Alright Guys and Girls, your turn!
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:48 pm
The Book:
In The Dojo: A Guide to the Rituals and Etiquette of the Japanese Martial Arts
Author:
Dave Lowry - one of the most well known and respected swordsmen in the United States and author of Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai, Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts, among others.
Reason for Suggestion:
When we begin our training in the martial arts, we all learn that in our dojo, we must wear our uniforms gracefully and with traditional precision, we must address out teacher and senior students in a specific manner and follow an unwritten code of conduct - but have you ever wondered what it all means and where it all comes from?
This book is a must for students interested in the history and significance of the rituals, training costumes, objects, and relationships that have a deep significance in japanese martial arts, including:
-the dojo space itself
-the teacher-student relationship
-the act of bowing
-what to expect and what will be expected of you when you visit a dojo
-the training weapons
-the hakama (ceremonial skirt) and the dogi (practice uniform)
-the shinto shrine
A amazing book for begginers who wish to learn more in depth about the traditions followed the japanese dojo and an amazing addition to any advanced student's arsenal of knowledge.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:13 pm
I've never gone to very traditional schools, but I do love to learn about the culture of martial arts! (Falls into that Anthro study)
When my Nihongo Sensei (japanese teacher) learned I studied Karate she promptly said to me. 'Ahh, so desu ka?' (is that so?) then she says very animatedly "ONEGAISHIMASU" I about crapped my pants she basically screamed it in my face...then I just stared really blankly at her for a few seconds until I asked her "What the Hell does that mean?"
We both had a good laugh after I explained I studied at a school that taught American Kenpo and that we understood the traditions and followed most of them, but didn't really have too many formalities.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:58 am
DesiBuu I've never gone to very traditional schools, but I do love to learn about the culture of martial arts! (Falls into that Anthro study) When my Nihongo Sensei (japanese teacher) learned I studied Karate she promptly said to me. 'Ahh, so desu ka?' (is that so?) then she says very animatedly "ONEGAISHIMASU" I about crapped my pants she basically screamed it in my face...then I just stared really blankly at her for a few seconds until I asked her "What the Hell does that mean?" We both had a good laugh after I explained I studied at a school that taught American Kenpo and that we understood the traditions and followed most of them, but didn't really have too many formalities. LOL XD Well, I don't remember if the book covers that XD... I am familiar with the phrase, though, but I can't remember where I learned it sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 4:57 pm
New Book on my night stand:
(This one should be, at least, a recognizable title for many of you.)
The Art of War
Author:
Sun Tzu
Reason for suggestion:
Well, it's a must read for anyone invading another nation, or trying to build you own military defense force. But, for those of use in martial arts, it's a great book on developing strategy.
It reads like a Power Point presentation with lots of bullet points and no pictures so, my suggestion is to read a few lines and reflect on them. Do this by either meditating on the concepts or maybe write them down in a journal.
At our school, we just have open discussions on the points we think are pertinent to the ideas we are working on that day.
Note
When I went to B&N to pick up a copy I didn't find it in the "Sports" section where I've found most other books on Martial arts. I didn't find it in "Philosophy" where it made sense to look. It was in with the "Classics" so, I would check there first.
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