Description
A classic text treasured by martial artists for over twenty years, Karate's History & Traditions was long recognized as the most authoritative source on martial arts history and technique. Now Bruce Haines, historian and martial artist, has updated this rich source to reflect changes that have taken place in the last two decades. This detailed but well-rounded work covers the history of the Asian fighting arts from antiquity to modern times, answering many of the questions currently being debated by martial artists around the world. It describes the fighting arts and
Library's review
This is the first reference book in English written on the history of karate, a subject very much in our minds today.
Compiled by a scholar with not only a deep interest but also a thorough knowledge of both Asian history and karate, this book is sure to be the definitive work in the field. The
In addition, karate's close connection to Zen Buddhism is discussed, as well as its increasing presence in the United states, and the inevitable involvement between 'Karate and the Law' (Chapter 9).
As the author states, the purpose of this book is to 'clarify much of the strereotyped thinking found among adherents of the Asian martial arts.' This purpose is more than adequately fulfilled.
Bruce A. (Alan) Haines has accumulated extensive knowledge of East Asian history and culture through years of study and his travels in that part of the world. At present, he is a doctoral student at Claremont Graduate School and University Center in Claremont, California. His bachelor's and master's degrees in Asian history were received from the University of Hawaii.
In addition to having studied karate with several different schools in Honolulu, Haines has personally witnessed the practice by its proponents in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa, and Japan. The author was also recently promoted to Ni-dan (2nd-degree black belt) in kendo (Japanese fencing). He is one of the few non-Japanese to have reached the 'expert category' in this unique sport.
'This is the first reference book in English written on the history of karate. Compiled by a scholar with not only a deep interest but also a thorough konweldge of both Asian history and karate, this book is sure to be the definitive work in the field.'-Malay Mail
'Karate's History and Traditions touches upon myths, records and statuaries of the martial art throughout Asia. Haines (the author) also discusses the art in the United States and its inevitable involvement with the law....Practice of ch'uan fa (secret tactics) in California in the 19th century indicates the scope of Haines' research to make this an important socal history reference.'-Pacific Citizen
Contents
List of illustrations
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction & terminology
Chapter 2 India
Chapter 3 China
Chapter 4 Southeast Asia-Cambodia; Vietnam; Thailand; Indonesia; Malaya
Chapter 5 Okinawan
Chapter 6 Japan
Chapter 7 Buddhism & karate
Chapter 8 Karate in the United States
Chapter 9 Karate and the law
Chapter 10 Modern trends
Notes & sources
Bibliography
Glossary-Index
Compiled by a scholar with not only a deep interest but also a thorough knowledge of both Asian history and karate, this book is sure to be the definitive work in the field. The
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origin of karate-or what is known of it-is presented through myths, verbal and written accounts, statuaries, and other records of its appearance in the countries which had a part in its beginning: India, china, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Okinawa, and Japan.In addition, karate's close connection to Zen Buddhism is discussed, as well as its increasing presence in the United states, and the inevitable involvement between 'Karate and the Law' (Chapter 9).
As the author states, the purpose of this book is to 'clarify much of the strereotyped thinking found among adherents of the Asian martial arts.' This purpose is more than adequately fulfilled.
Bruce A. (Alan) Haines has accumulated extensive knowledge of East Asian history and culture through years of study and his travels in that part of the world. At present, he is a doctoral student at Claremont Graduate School and University Center in Claremont, California. His bachelor's and master's degrees in Asian history were received from the University of Hawaii.
In addition to having studied karate with several different schools in Honolulu, Haines has personally witnessed the practice by its proponents in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa, and Japan. The author was also recently promoted to Ni-dan (2nd-degree black belt) in kendo (Japanese fencing). He is one of the few non-Japanese to have reached the 'expert category' in this unique sport.
'This is the first reference book in English written on the history of karate. Compiled by a scholar with not only a deep interest but also a thorough konweldge of both Asian history and karate, this book is sure to be the definitive work in the field.'-Malay Mail
'Karate's History and Traditions touches upon myths, records and statuaries of the martial art throughout Asia. Haines (the author) also discusses the art in the United States and its inevitable involvement with the law....Practice of ch'uan fa (secret tactics) in California in the 19th century indicates the scope of Haines' research to make this an important socal history reference.'-Pacific Citizen
Contents
List of illustrations
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction & terminology
Chapter 2 India
Chapter 3 China
Chapter 4 Southeast Asia-Cambodia; Vietnam; Thailand; Indonesia; Malaya
Chapter 5 Okinawan
Chapter 6 Japan
Chapter 7 Buddhism & karate
Chapter 8 Karate in the United States
Chapter 9 Karate and the law
Chapter 10 Modern trends
Notes & sources
Bibliography
Glossary-Index
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Subjects
ISBN
804803412
Publication
Charles E. Tuttle Company Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan