Ki and the Way of the Martial Arts

Ki and the Way of the Martial Arts PDF

Author: Kenji Tokitsu

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2003-08-12

Total Pages: 123

ISBN-13: 1570629986

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While technical prowess and physical power are essential characteristics of a martial artist, true mastery of the art comes by cultivating one's inner strength. Here, Kenji Tokitsu—an authority on Japanese and Chinese combat arts and a respected karate teacher—shows how cultivating ki (life force) and understanding the principles of budo (the martial path of self-development) can make training in martial arts more meaningful, effective, and personally and spiritually rewarding. Tokitsu emphasizes the mental aspects of martial arts practice including: • The importance of ki development • Seme, or capturing your opponent's mind • Understanding ma, the spatial relationship in combat Studying these concepts, he explains, gives martial artists the tools to train for a lifetime and at the very highest level. Tokitsu also gives a historical and cultural survey of budo, and explains how the Western view of budo training is different than the Japanese—a perspective rarely available to Western martial artists.

The Inner Art of Karate

The Inner Art of Karate PDF

Author: Kenji Tokitsu

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2012-02-14

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 1590309499

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Budo, the way of the martial arts, is at heart a path of spiritual cultivation and self-realization whose aim is to develop a strategic mind that makes combat unnecessary. Kenji Tokitsu explains the philosophy of karate as budo and looks deeply at the key concepts that are essential for developing the budo mind in karate practice. These concepts are: • distance and timing, • rhythm, anticipation, and intuition, • and the cultivation of explosive but focused energy. These concepts are difficult to teach, but mastering them is the ultimate goal of any true martial artist. Tokitsu expertly guides the reader through these elusive ideas with clarity and a practical view.

Zen in the Martial Arts

Zen in the Martial Arts PDF

Author: Joe Hyams

Publisher: Bantam

Published: 2010-05-05

Total Pages: 145

ISBN-13: 0307755509

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"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action."--Samurai Maximum. Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed his physical expertise but gave him the mental discipline to control his personal problems-self-image, work pressure, competition. Indeed, mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts can dramatically alter the quality of your life-enriching your relationships with people, as well as helping you make use of all your abilities.

Classical Budo

Classical Budo PDF

Author: Donn F. Draeger

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 1990-10-01

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 0834802341

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Donn Draeger was one of the most famous and well-respected martial artists of the twentieth century, and he was a pioneer in bringing Asian martial arts study to the West. Here, he illuminates the compelling historical, political, and philosophical events that gave rise to the development of the budo arts. The classical budo, or "martial ways" are not combat systems like their forerunner, bujutsu, or "martial arts"; nor are they sports like modern judo, kendo, or karate. They are first and foremost spiritual disciplines, whose ultimate goal, achieved through the most rigorous mental and physical training, is self-realization in the tradition of Zen Buddhism. The author details the history, philosophy, and methods of a variety of these "martial ways," some using weapons and some weaponless, and reveals how they evolved from their combative roots. The book includes fascinating artwork from classical sources, and archival photographs of modern budo masters in action.

The Katas

The Katas PDF

Author: Kenji Tokitsu

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2010-09-03

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1594778183

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The embodiment of the ancient knowledge that underlies the dedication-to-perfection philosophy of Japan • How mastering these specific movement sequences known as katas provides a way to deepen one’s martial arts practice spiritually • Explores the psychological and social importance of the katas in martial arts and Japanese society, including their role in seppuku (ritual suicide) • Includes many examples from the lives of famous masters, from the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi to 20th-century poet Yukio Mishima An essential part of the martial arts of Japan, such as sumo and karate, the katas are specific sequences of movement that originated during Sakoku, Japan’s period of closure to the outside world from 1633 until 1853. The dedication-to-perfection philosophy of the katas, ubiquitous in Japanese society, is vital to understanding the spiritual aspects of their martial arts as well as other traditional Japanese arts, such as flower arranging, chadō (tea ceremonies), and kabuki theater. With examples from the lives of famous masters, from legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi to 20th-century poet Yukio Mishima, this book explores the psychological and social importance of the katas, including their role in seppuku (ritual suicide), the student-master relationship, and gyo (the point at which the practitioner breaks the mold of the kata and begins to embody it). Looking at their origins in the warrior class and how this pursuit of perfection is ultimately a way to accept the power of death, the author explains how performing the katas transmits ancient knowledge much deeper than just technical movements, providing a way to deepen one’s martial arts practice spiritually.

Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano

Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano PDF

Author: Brian N. Watson

Publisher: Trafford Publishing

Published: 2014-04-24

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 1425163491

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Based on a series of interviews that Jigoro Kano gave in his sixties, the book relates his creation and development of Kodokan judo during the period 1882 to 1928.

Traditions

Traditions PDF

Author: Dave Lowry

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2011-11-15

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 1462902235

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The goals of the budo—the martial arts and Ways of Japan—lie in refining the body and spirit. The techniques, methods, and rituals of the budo can provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists—and serve as guides to a well-lived life. In Traditions, Davy Lowry discusses unique aspects of the budo ranging from hacho, or deliberate asymmetry, to uke-waza, the art of "receiving" an attack. The spirit of ryomi, the process of self-evaluation and improvement, is illustrated through the story of Kaofujita, a master swordsman who never stopped practicing the first movement he learned. You'll also learn the importance of yuyo, the distance where an attacker must focus his strike, from the story of Jubei, whose mastery of yuyo saved him in a life-and-death encounter, and the significance of shikaku—, the dead zone, on maintaining balance in combat and in life. With its focus on traditional martial arts, and fascinating stories that illustrate key martial arts principles and philosophy,Traditions will be required reading for serious martial artists.

Living the Martial Way

Living the Martial Way PDF

Author: Forrest E. Morgan

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780942637762

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A step-by-step aooroiach to applying the Japanese warriors mind set to martial training and daily life.

Martial Artist's Way

Martial Artist's Way PDF

Author: Glen Doyle

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9780804831956

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Written by a three-time Canadian Kung Fu champion, this book offers guidance and encouragement to all those seeking to learn skills in the martial arts. National print media.

Nei Kung

Nei Kung PDF

Author: Kosta Danaos

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2002-02-01

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1594776091

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Explains the science behind the practice of nei kung, the elemental nature of yin and yang energy--the two components of ch'i, and how learning to control the yang energy in our ch'i can result in the release of dynamic energy. • Establishes the existence and understanding of nei kung in the practices of many of the world's ancient cultures. • Includes a step-by-step guide to the meditation that forms the basis of the practice of nei kung. • By Kosta Danaos, author of The Magus of Java and apprentice to an immortal of the Mo-Pai tradition. In 1994 Kosta Danaos was accepted as a student by John Chang, a Chinese-Javanese Taoist in the Mo-Pai tradition and a master of nei kung, the practice of harnessing and controlling our body's bioenergy, or ch'i. Nei Kung: The Secret Teachings of the Warrior Sages describes the practice of nei kung and how learning to control our ch'i can result in the release of dynamic energy that can be used for healing, pyrogenesis, telekinesis, levitation, telepathy, and more. Danaos suggests that both components of ch'i--yin and yang energy--are fundamental to the earth and to life and were recognized and used in many of the world's ancient cultures. Though we have forgotten how to access them, these components are in fact elemental parts of us. The author explains that we first must open our minds to the fact that the power of ch'i is real. Next, in learning to control our ch'i as a whole, we must learn to channel our yang energy in productive ways--a potential we all possess. To help readers understand their capacity to connect with this inner elemental power, the author offers a fascinating blend of teachings that include sound scientific theories explaining much of the "magic" of nei kung. He also offers historical, linguistic, artistic, and literary proof of the presence and understanding of nei kung throughout the ages and a step-by-step introduction to several types of simple meditation--fundamental to directing one's ch'i. With his engaging storytelling and disarming humor, his physics-based explanations for seemingly mystical phenomena, and his reassurances that he's really no different from the rest of us, Kosta Danaos shows us that once we remember our capacity to harness our yang energy, we can change ourselves and our world.