Sword & Spirit

Take a look at the martial arts section in your local library or bookstore and you'll find a huge selection of titles, ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime. What you won't find is much in the way of accurate information on the authentic fighting traditions of the Japanese samurai. Sword & Spirit, the second volume in the Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan series, fills that gap. The eight essays in this volume include a translation of advice from a warrior to his son; the teachings of a modern instructor of the classical traditions; evaluations of the classical martial arts as combat systems; an outline of the meaning of kata in training; an interview with a master of shurikenjutsu; photos and descriptions of a select group of classical martial arts traditions; and an introduction to a long neglected primary source on the ways of the Japanese warrior.

• Follow up volume to the successful, Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, hailed by Wayne Muromoto of Furyu: The Budo Journal as “probably the best book on martial arts this year, if not for several years past and hence…”

• Behind the scenes look at the most exotic and secretive of the Japanese martial arts, by men and women with extensive first-hand experience

• Consists of eight documented essays by the world’s foremost authorities on the classical martial arts; will appeal to practitioner, scholar, historian, Japanophile.

• Full color cover photograph by Inoue Kazuhiro; 33 additional b&w illustrations

• Bibliographical references