Library's review
from dust jacket
This lavishly illustrated volume is the first comperhenive encyclopedia ever published on the historical development and contemporary impact of the oriental martial arts. Some 160 photographs and original drawings bring the exciting world of self-defense systems alve, and unique
In a single authoritative source , vital information is provided in over 1,000 entries on all the oriental fighting arts, including: aikido, iaido, judo, jiujitsu, karate, kendo, kung fu, kyudo, sumo, tae kwon do, t'ai chi ch'uan, bando, jodo, and pentjak-silat.
Geographic coverage is global, wth maps and charts showing the influence and historical interaction of the martial arts of China, Japan, Korea, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Okinawa, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
A special feature is broad coverage of the major martial artist who have shaped both the past and present of their fields. In many cases, interperetative drawings of the gerat masters are rendered by noted New York artist david Wool.
This is not another 'how to' book, but it is extremely practical. For those already involved in the arts, it provides answers to a variety of questions about the chosen discipline and about how the preferred art relates to other oriental arts. The person considering learning and art can read about each art, then turn to the appendices and read how to select a commercial school or learn the arts in schools or universities.
This book should also be helpful to the growing number of women interested in learning the arts of self-defense. Numerous entries show the important role women warriors have played througout history, and an in-depth appendix by a prominient female martial artist, Susan Murdock, answers many questions which women are asking today about the arts.
Many little known mysteries and practices of the various arts are desribed. For example:
Have you condsidered 'cold practice'? Many martial artists test their mental and physical resources by exercising and meditating in purifying cold and snow.
Have you mastered Kyusho? This encyclopedia has full illustrations showing the location of these vital striking points.
Have you checked out the legal implications of the martial arts? This is critical for those who already know the arts.
Have you heard of mu-shin? This is a state in which you are not thinking about the past or the future, but 'brillantly responding' to circumstances around you.
Would you like to meet a woman martial artist who carries a kaiken? This is a beautiful three-inch dagger used by samurai women to 'protect their virtue' and, if they fail, to commit hara-kiri?
These and hundreds of other fascinating facts are available to you now in this single volume on a phenomenon which has become permanently implanted in the modern world. By studying it, you can begin to learn why the martial arts are not only a means of self-defense, but also a unique spirit of living-a proven way of life which has changed the lives of millions and which could change yours.
Larry Winderbaum has been involved in practicing and researching the martial arts for several years, five of which have been spent on this encyclopedia. He holds a degree in History from the University of Wisconsin.
Luing (Ken) Ho Min is Director of Martial Arts at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a former president of the National Collegiate Judo Assocation and holds his Black Belt in several of the martial arts.
Susan Murdock is a prominent martial artist who founded and runs her own shcool, the Women's Martial Arts Center in New York. She is one of the growing number of women who hold a black belt.
Roger Glenn Brown holds his Ph.D. from the Unversity of California, Berkeley. A former specialist in Asian affairs at the Central intelligence Agency, he is now a publisher, editor, consultant, and free lance writer.
Contents
Introduction
A-Z
Appendices
Appendix I: Studying and Practicing the Maartial Arts-The Martial Arts in Colleges; Selecting a Commerical School; Summer Camps and short-term Programs for Intensive Training; Martial Arts Associations
Appendix II: Women in the Martial Arts-Women's Schools; Mixed Schools; Intensive self Defense Schools; Other Organizations that help
Appendix III: The Martial Arts in Print-Magazines; Books
Charts and Maps-Cross Cultural Influences in the Martial arts; The Martial Arts at a Glance; Chronology: The Development of the Martial arts, c. 3000 B.C.-1977
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
This lavishly illustrated volume is the first comperhenive encyclopedia ever published on the historical development and contemporary impact of the oriental martial arts. Some 160 photographs and original drawings bring the exciting world of self-defense systems alve, and unique
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charts compare and contrast each of the major figting arts.In a single authoritative source , vital information is provided in over 1,000 entries on all the oriental fighting arts, including: aikido, iaido, judo, jiujitsu, karate, kendo, kung fu, kyudo, sumo, tae kwon do, t'ai chi ch'uan, bando, jodo, and pentjak-silat.
Geographic coverage is global, wth maps and charts showing the influence and historical interaction of the martial arts of China, Japan, Korea, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Okinawa, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
A special feature is broad coverage of the major martial artist who have shaped both the past and present of their fields. In many cases, interperetative drawings of the gerat masters are rendered by noted New York artist david Wool.
This is not another 'how to' book, but it is extremely practical. For those already involved in the arts, it provides answers to a variety of questions about the chosen discipline and about how the preferred art relates to other oriental arts. The person considering learning and art can read about each art, then turn to the appendices and read how to select a commercial school or learn the arts in schools or universities.
This book should also be helpful to the growing number of women interested in learning the arts of self-defense. Numerous entries show the important role women warriors have played througout history, and an in-depth appendix by a prominient female martial artist, Susan Murdock, answers many questions which women are asking today about the arts.
Many little known mysteries and practices of the various arts are desribed. For example:
Have you condsidered 'cold practice'? Many martial artists test their mental and physical resources by exercising and meditating in purifying cold and snow.
Have you mastered Kyusho? This encyclopedia has full illustrations showing the location of these vital striking points.
Have you checked out the legal implications of the martial arts? This is critical for those who already know the arts.
Have you heard of mu-shin? This is a state in which you are not thinking about the past or the future, but 'brillantly responding' to circumstances around you.
Would you like to meet a woman martial artist who carries a kaiken? This is a beautiful three-inch dagger used by samurai women to 'protect their virtue' and, if they fail, to commit hara-kiri?
These and hundreds of other fascinating facts are available to you now in this single volume on a phenomenon which has become permanently implanted in the modern world. By studying it, you can begin to learn why the martial arts are not only a means of self-defense, but also a unique spirit of living-a proven way of life which has changed the lives of millions and which could change yours.
Larry Winderbaum has been involved in practicing and researching the martial arts for several years, five of which have been spent on this encyclopedia. He holds a degree in History from the University of Wisconsin.
Luing (Ken) Ho Min is Director of Martial Arts at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a former president of the National Collegiate Judo Assocation and holds his Black Belt in several of the martial arts.
Susan Murdock is a prominent martial artist who founded and runs her own shcool, the Women's Martial Arts Center in New York. She is one of the growing number of women who hold a black belt.
Roger Glenn Brown holds his Ph.D. from the Unversity of California, Berkeley. A former specialist in Asian affairs at the Central intelligence Agency, he is now a publisher, editor, consultant, and free lance writer.
Contents
Introduction
A-Z
Appendices
Appendix I: Studying and Practicing the Maartial Arts-The Martial Arts in Colleges; Selecting a Commerical School; Summer Camps and short-term Programs for Intensive Training; Martial Arts Associations
Appendix II: Women in the Martial Arts-Women's Schools; Mixed Schools; Intensive self Defense Schools; Other Organizations that help
Appendix III: The Martial Arts in Print-Magazines; Books
Charts and Maps-Cross Cultural Influences in the Martial arts; The Martial Arts at a Glance; Chronology: The Development of the Martial arts, c. 3000 B.C.-1977
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
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Genres
ISBN
879536004
Publication
INSCAPE Corporation 1629 K Street Washington, DC 20006