Myths and Legends of the Martial Arts

by Peter Lewis

1998

Description

These colorful tales trace the origins and illuminate the philosophies of each of the martial arts. Karate, kung fu, judo, aikido, sumo--each discipline of the martial arts is, at its most developed point, as much a philosophy as a code of war. Like any culture, each martial art has its founding myths, which reveal its origins and make sense of its underlying principles. These vivid parables of cowardice and valor, pride and humility, foolishness and wisdom, and heroes and villains, are gems of poetic wisdom culled from the fierce history of the East. A unique collection offering enlightenment and enchantment to students of the martial arts and Eastern philosophy. Peter Lewis, a renowned authority on the martial arts, is the author of many books on the subject, including Martial Arts: Origins, Philosophy, Practice and Secret Art of the Ninja.… (more)

Library's review

from cover

To know the outcome look to the root, study the past to know the future.

Each discipline of the martial arts-karate, kung fu, judo, aikido, sumo-is at its most developed point a philosophy as much as a code of war. Like any other culture, each martial art has its founding myths, defining

acts and heroes; stories that tell of an art's origins and make sense of its underlying prinicples. some of these legends are based on real events while others are told with a voice whose source is lost in the mists of time. However, the real truth lies in their poetic wisdom. These short parables, as diverse as the martial arts themselves, tell colorful tales of cowardice and valour, pride and humility, foolishness and wisdom, heroes and villains culled from the bloody history of the east. Each is a jewel of enlightened wisdom, offering insight and delectation to students of the martial arts and lovers of eastern wisdom.

Contents

Introduction
The Nature of a Man
The Master Swordsman
Painting Legs on a Snake
The Shaoliin Temple
The Karate Man and the Tiger
Five Against One
The Waiter and the Seaman
Beautiful Springtime
Iron Belly Shang
The Master of Strategy
Stick versus Sword
The Rebel Monk
The Bok Hok Pai Test of Courage
The Death Touch
The Drunken Boxer
The Teamaster and the Samurai
The Chi Gung Breath of LIfe
The Death of a Legend
Beaten by a Novice
King of the Tai Boxers
The Flower of Youth
The Journey of 1000 Miles
The Secret Champion
A Lesson in Humility
Look Beyond the Target
The Fight of No Fight Style
The Forty-Seven Ronin
The First Sumo
What's in a Name?
Patience is the Key
The River Workers' Lunch
The Deadliest Man on Earth
Empty Hands versus the Yakuza
The Black Assassins
When the Buddha Called
The Leaping Leopard
The Northern Mantis
The Great Thief
Fist of the North Wind
Ninja versus Ninja
The Overflowing Cup
The Invincible Warrior
Daddy's Scissors
David and Goliath Japanese Style
Committed to Death
The Herbalist
That Which is Useless is Everything
The Runaway Bull
Attack on the Bridge
Petals of Death
The Invisible Hand
The Gentle Way
The Peasants Against an Empire
Grand Ultimate Fist
Sul Sa
Jam Pon Ken
The Unseen Fan
The Shaolin Legacy
Master of Shuriken
The Deceptive Arrows
The Strategy of War
The Kung Fu Fisherman
Epilogue

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