| Being the author of several books on the martial | | | | talks about the art of Kendo and the samurai |
| arts and fighting, I am always looking for books | | | | sword, and the basic techniques that are used |
| of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I | | | | when yielding a samurai sword. These techniques |
| have a book in my library, it's definitely worth | | | | include; the proper grip, en-garde, touché, |
| owning. One such book is Jay Gluck's, "Zen | | | | and the I-ai or "quick draw." |
| Combat." | | | | The rest of this particular section is devoted to |
| This is a very well written book and one that I | | | | various weapons used by the samurai such as; |
| don't believe is in print anymore. The copy I have | | | | the naginata, bo staff, spears, etc. |
| I ended up finding in an old book store several | | | | 4. Kyudo; The Way of Archery: |
| years ago. This book gives you some outstanding | | | | This section starts out with a brief history of the |
| information on the history of primarily the | | | | bow in Japanese history and then quickly dives |
| Japanese martial arts and their philosophy. | | | | right in to how Zen became incorporated with |
| 1. The Bull Story; Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama and | | | | Japanese archery and why it is still practiced that |
| Kyokushin-kai Karate: | | | | way even today. |
| This section covers a lot of, although brief, | | | | The author gives a very detailed explanation on |
| biography of Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama and how he | | | | the equipment, ritual, and techniques associated |
| came to learn the art of Karate. Included in this | | | | with Japanese archery. This is a very thorough |
| biography are stories about his training style or | | | | and well presented, yet basic, analysis of this |
| technique, his first U.S. tour in the early 1950's, | | | | very impressive art form. |
| which was also the first time that the art of | | | | 5. Dancing; Dervishes of Strength: |
| Karate had been demonstrated in the U.S. There | | | | We begin this section with a trip to Iran and its |
| is also a story about how Mas and the author | | | | traditional dance at their House of Strength. This |
| visited with another famous Karate master, | | | | was very informative and was totally new to me, |
| Gogen "Cat" Yamaguchi. | | | | although the ideas expressed weren't. The author |
| This section of the book concludes with some | | | | also discusses the importance of dance and music |
| basic information from Mas on training techniques | | | | to the martial arts if one truly wants to master |
| and methods, etiquette and principles of karate, | | | | them. |
| descriptions on various punches, blocks and kicks, | | | | There is a terrific section included here that deals |
| kata or forms with Heian or Pinan Nidan being | | | | with how to breath and training your body |
| described and illustrated. There is also a very | | | | through the use of certain breathing techniques. It |
| good section on belt rank and the importance of | | | | also has a section devoted to the purifying of the |
| it. | | | | body through the use of "cold training." This |
| Of particular note, there is a terrific section on | | | | section finishes with a brief history on the art of |
| how to form a proper Shuto or knifehand strike, | | | | ninjitsu. |
| and on how to condition your hands for delivering | | | | 6. Aiki; Luke: 4-28: |
| powerful blows. | | | | This is perhaps the best section in this book and |
| 2. Why the Zen of Zen Combat; Martial Arts | | | | covers the art of Aikido and its master, Morihei |
| Philosophy: | | | | Ueshiba. This section is quite detailed and recounts |
| This section is primarily devoted to the early | | | | several exploits of the Aikido master. It also |
| history of the martial arts and their philosophy, | | | | briefly explains some of the techniques and |
| and how Zen compliments them. This is really a | | | | principles associated with this amazing art form. |
| very good although brief section on the history of | | | | This book was originally written and printed back |
| martial arts. | | | | in the early 1960's, and therefore I don't know if |
| 3. Kendo; The Way of the Sword: | | | | it is still available or not. You may have to get on |
| In this section, the author talks briefly about | | | | the internet, or search your local used book |
| Miyamoto Musashi who was Japan's greatest | | | | stores to find it, but if you do, definitely pick it up. |
| samurai swordsman. In addition to Musashi, he also | | | | You won't regret it. |