Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 796.860951 EAN: 9780300049671 ISBN: 0300049676 Label: Yale University Press Manufacturer: Yale University Press Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 256 Publication Date: 1998-07-11 Publisher: Yale University Press Studio: Yale University Press
This history of Japanese armed martial arts focuses on traditions of swordmanship and archery from ancient times to the present. The author provides an overview of martial arts in Japanese history and culture, then closely examines the transformation of these fighting skills into sports. He discusses the influence of Western athletic tradition on the armed martial arts as well as the ways the martial arts have remained distinctly Japanese. During the Tokugawa era (1600-1867), swordmanship and archery developed from fighting systems into martial arts, transformed by the powerful social forces of peace, urbanization, literacy, and professionalized instruction in art forms. Hurst investigates the changes that occurred as military skills that were no longer necessary took on new purposes: physical fitness, spiritual composure, character development and sport. He also considers Western misconceptions of Japanese martial arts and argues that, contrary to common views in the West, Zen Buddhism is associated with the martial arts in only a limited way. The author concludes by exploring the modern organization, teaching, ritual and philosophy of archery and swordmanship.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Just the Facts, Sir, just the facts Comment: This is the first book that I have read that presents clear and comprehensive look at Swordsmanship and Archery. This book is more historical in its nature. If you are looking for a MA manual this it is not. Here the author presents scholarly treatment of Swordsmanship and Archery in context to social history of Japan and I admire him for that reason. I have come away with a deeper understanding of the subject and a greater appreciation for how these two martial arts evolved through out the history of Japan. A Great Work.
