If the Way of the warrior is the soul of Japan, their magnificent swords were the tools utilized to form the nation and forge their spirit. You’ll find an abundance of information in this special two-part digital anthology in support of this thesis.Kimberly Taylor wrote four chapters, the first being an interview with 7th dan Matsuo Haruna. Haruna offers great advice for practitioners based on his firsthand experience. Taylor’s two highly researched chapters give o...

There are simularities and differences between the European and Japanese medieval warrior traditions that reflect the social evolutions within those cultures. Over the years publishing the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, we published articles that presented the main themes found in this unique area of comparitive studies. The most important of these writings are assembled in this anthology for your convience.Chapters 1 and 2 are by Dr. Willy Pieter, a leading scholar with a ...

The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645. It is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War and Chanakya's Arthashastra. There have been various translations made over the years, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking...

A timeless guide to strategy and personal discipline from one of history's greatest samurai. Written by the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, the book explores principles of combat, focus, leadership, and self-mastery. Its lessons extend beyond martial arts into business, decision-making, and everyday life. Clear, practical, and deeply philosophical, the work remains influential around the world. Written by Miyamoto Musashi. Discover the mindset of a true master strategist—download you...

True Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki—the famous 17th-century ninjutsu manual.Authors Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understa...

In this extraordinary book, shamanic dream teacher Robert Moss shows us how to become shamans of our own souls and healers of our own lives. The greatest contribution of the ancient shamans to modern healing is the understanding that in the course of any life we are liable to suffer soul loss — the loss of parts of our vital energy and identity — and that in order to be whole and well, we must find the means of soul recovery. Moss teaches us that our dreams give us maps we can use to trave...

The shinobi, or ninja, is one of the most widely recognized figures in the world of espionage—and also one of the most misrepresented. What do we really know about the historical shinobi, his tactics, and his role in medieval Japanese society? In Secret Traditions of the Shinobi, these questions—and many more—are answered. Translated into English for the very first time, this widely sought-after collection of historical documents brings to light the secret practices, techniques, p...

MEDITATION—FOR KIDS! The “father of mindfulness” presents a hands-on, creative method of meditation perfect for children experiencing stress and difficult emotions (TIME).Features cute illustrations, plus useful tips on how to start a ‘pebble meditation’ practice at home or in the classroom.Developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as part of the Plum Village community’s practice with children, pebble meditation is a playful, fun activity that ...

"An excellent introduction to traditional Japanese swordsmanship."-Daily YamiuriThis book introduces Kendo, the exhilarating mental and physical sport of Japan that has gained new popularity, with both sexes now participating, its own evolution and the efforts of a remarkable group of teachers it has progressed through the years to its present position as a sport.This is Kendo is a fully illustrated introduction to the traditional art of J...

The classic text on the mystical traditions of the ninja now decoded in English• The path of the ninja as an authentic spiritual discipline• Details the art of concealment and espionage, including methods of disguise, survival techniques, and face reading• A ninja response to the Samurai Bushido and the way to mind-body harmonyExperts in disguise, infiltration, espionage, and counterintelligence, the ninja had spiritual values and magical traditions that dis...

The Samurai sword of Japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. This volume by leading Samurai expert Stephen Turnbull reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of Japan's famous steel-making techniques and the challenges from contemporary warfare. Together with the technical details of forging, polishing, mounting and tes...

Yokai Attack! is a nightmare-inducing one-stop guide to Japan's traditional monsters and creepy-crawlies.Yokai are ethereal sorts of beings, like ghosts, nearly always encountered at night; everyone has their own take on how they might look in real life and what sorts of specific characteristics and abilities they might have. This book is the result of long hours spent poring over data and descriptions from a variety of sources, including microfilms of eig...