Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts

[Gary]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'm sure Gordon will re-arrange if need be.

For those interesting in their history / research into Japanese Budo, there is a new book out by Dr David Hall. I've got mine on order and eagerly await its delivery.

By all accounts, this is a landmark piece of work, with a lot of information that is hard to come across (outside of Japanese publications).

I’ll let you have an update after I have got my grubby mitts on it.

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/97 ... tAodAX4AQg

[oneya]

Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts" is an exhaustive, impeccably researched reference offering information about everything there is to know on the subject, from adauchi (a vendetta) to zanshin (state of focused vigilance before, during, and after executing a technique or combative form).

If this part of the blurb is anything to go by I might think twice about spending 50 bucks Gary

oneya

[Gary]

Already done Reg I'm afraid!

Some of the other reviews are a bit more informative.

I'll put a pound to a penny that most of us on here end up buying it.

[oneya]

I'll put a pound to a penny that most of us on here end up buying it.

David Hall's 47 years is a long time in Japanese martial arts I grant you - at least long enough to get zanshin explained with a little more precision I would have thought - So if you include me in that "Most of us here" Gary I reckon I will have 5 pennyworth of that......

oneya

[Gary]

My copy arrived yesterday, and although I haven't had time to sit down with and go through it thoroughly - from what I have read so far, it's a good piece of work with some very interesting information in it.

Naturally, in a field with such huge breadth and depth, it would be impossible to detail everything, but I think the author has successfully included a good amount of key information. As a research aid (into unchartered areas) it’s certainly a good thing to have in your library imo.

Experts in any given field (for Wado, see anyone on this board (apart from me obviously ;) )) probably aren't going to learn anything new about their chosen art / tradition, but if research into the broader picture Japanese budo is your thing - then I'd recommend it.

And Reg – there’s much more about Zanshin - but I want my five pounds...

[oneya]

Cheque is in the post Gary.

oneya