Japanese Martial Arts Reading Suggestion

**Fitz** · Posted On: 3/04/2007 7:58pm

A while back I started putting together some recommended books for a frind of mine who was looking to do some serious research on Japanese Martial arts. Here's what I had at that time. I figured it might be worth posting here for anyone interested and to also get some additional suggestions from interested practitioners.
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General Japanese History

Japan: A Short Cultural History by G. B. Sansom
Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. One: From Earliest Times to 1600 by Wm. de Barry
Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. Two: 1600 to 2000 by Wm. de Barry, et. Al.
Zen and Japanese Culture by D. T. Suzuki
Samurai: An Illustrated History by Mitsuo KureGeneral Japanese Martial Arts History

General Budo/Bujutsu History

*Classical Bujutsu: Martial Arts and Ways of Japan Vol. 1 by Donn F. Draeger
*Classical Budo: Martial Arts and Ways of Japan Vol.2 by Donn F. Draeger
*Modern Bujutsu and Budo: Martial Arts and Ways of Japan Vol. 3 by Donn F. Draeger
Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu by Serge Mol
Sword and Spirit by Diane Skoss
Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan by Diane Skoss
Keiko Shokon: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan by Diane Skoss

Judo

Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano
Mind over Muscle: Writings from the Founder of Judo by Jigoro Kano
The Cannon of Judo: Classic Teachings on Principles and Techniques by Kyuzo Mifune
Judo Formal Techniques by Tadoa Otaki and Donn F. Draeger
The Secrets of Judo by Jiichi Watanabe and Lindy Avakian
Judo Training Methods Takahiko Ishikawa and Donn F. Draeger

Aikido

Budo Training in Aikido by Morihei Ushiba
Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido by Morihei Ueshiba
The Essence of Aikido: Spiritual Teachings of Morihei Ueshiba by Morihei Ueshiba

Aikikai Style (Ueshiba Lineage)

Best Aikido: The Fundamentals by Kisshomaru Ueshiba
The Spirit of Aikido by Kisshomaru Ueshiba
The Aikido Master Course: Best Aikido 2 by Moriteru Ueshiba
The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques by Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Progressive Aikido: The Essential Elements by Moriteru Ueshiba

Yoshinkan Style (Shioda Line)

Dynamic Aikido by Gozo Shioda
Total Aikido: The Master Course by Gozo Shioda
Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques by Gozo Shioda

Shodokan Style (Tomiki Line)

Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free Fighting Method by Nobuyoshi Higashi
Koryu Aikido by Nobuyoshi Higashi
Aikido: The Tomiki Way by Neil Saunders

Ki Society (Tohei Line)

Book of Ki: Co-ordinating Mind and Body in Daily Life by Koichi Tohei
Ki in Daily Life by Koichi Tohei
Kiatsu by Koichi Tohei
Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training by C. M. Shifflett
Ki in Aikido: A Sampler of Ki Exercises by C. M. Shifflett

Kendo

Kendo: The Definitive Guide by Hiroshi Ozawa
Kendo: Elements, Rules, and Philosophy Jinichi Tokeshi

Iaido

Flashing Steel: Matering Eishin-ryu Swordsmanship by Masayuki Shimabukuro
The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-ryu Iaido by Nichlaus Suino
Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship by Nicklaus Suino

Takamatsuden Arts

The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques by Masaaki Hatsumi
Samurai Fighting Arts: The Spirit and the Practice by Fumon Tanaka
Stick Fighting by Masaaki Hatsumi and Quentin Chambers
Advanced Stick Fighting by Masaaki Hatsumi
Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai by Masaaki Hatsumi
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu by Masaaki Hatsumi
Ninpo Secrets by Shoto Tanemura
Genbukan Ninpo Bugie Fundamental Taijutsu by Shoto Tanemura
Kukishin Ryu Bujutsu by Kiba Koshiro

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 3/04/2007 8:25pm

Classical Weaponary of Japan by Serge Mol

**shmuel** · Posted On: 3/05/2007 2:38am

Here is another list you may want to look at:

http://www.koryu.com/library/mskoss5.html

**WorldWarCheese** · Posted On: 3/05/2007 11:48pm

For Judo please edit in "My Judo" by Masahiko Kimura. He was the greatest Judoka that ever lived and his work shouldn't be ignored lightly. "There was none before Kimura, none after Kimura."

**Uri Shatil** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 8:23pm

Ninjutsu: History and Tradition by Massaki Hatsumi
Essense of Ninjutsu by Massaki Hatsumi

The two most useful readings I've found on Ninjutsi. However, it should be noted that Essence of Ninjutsu actually goes over the history and tradition of Ninjutsu, and Ninjutsi: History and Tradition covers the basic aspects of both mordern Ninjutsu and Ninpo and the historical ninja.

**WorldWarCheese** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 8:59pm

Welcome to Bullshido, Japanophile section, fellow Masshole. What school/sensei? Do they have website? No particular reason other than you're a n00b from Boston. (I'll be there for St Patty's Day! Gotta love bein' even half Irish)

And check out the Bullshido.com article on "Bujinkan Without the BS" Article and read the Bujinkan thread here, they're up yer alley and you should read up on 'em.

**WorldWarCheese** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 9:00pm

Here's a list from out buddies down at www.kyokushin4life.com:
Osu everyone,

I`ll start it off and edit this first post as much as possible (moderators/administrators can do the same).

List of books concidered usefull reading

Cat 1: Technique / training
1) What is Karate (Mas Oyama)
2) This is Karate (Mas Oyama)
3) Advanced Karate (Mas Oyama)
4) Boy`s Karate (Mas Oyama)
5) Essential Karate (Mas Oyama) -also released under the names: "Karate school", "complete karate course" and "Classic karate".
6) Kensan (Hatsuo Royama)
7) Gokui (Hatsuo Royama)
9) Kyokushinkai Kata And Self Defence Applications (Steve Arneil, Alexander Tanyushkin and Victor Fomin)
10) Kyokushin Karate Kata Volume 1 (Steve Arneil)
11) IFK Kyokushin Karate Kihon (Steve Arneil)
12) Vital Karate (Mas Oyama)
13) Kyokushin Karate Kata Volume 2 (Steve Arneil)
14) The Fundamentals of Kyokushin Karate (Steve Arneil & Brian Fitkin)
15) Absolute karate -Applications of Kyokushin (Howard Collins)
16) Knockdown karate handbook (Howard Collins)
17) Kyokushin kata (Brian Fitkin, as a 7th dan)
18) Kyokushinkai karate kata book (Brian Fitkin, as a 4rth dan)
19) Power karate vol 1&2 (David C. Cook) also printed in one volume as "Kyokushin karate".
20) Fighting karate (Hideyuki Ashihara)
21) More fighting karate (Hideyuki Ashihara)
22) Sabaki Method -karate in the inner cirkle (Joko Ninomiya)
23) Perfect karate (shigeru Oyama)
24) Kyokushin karate self defense techniques (Bobby Lowe)
25) Mas Oyamas karate (Bobby Lowe)
26) Technique and spirit (Tadashi Nakamura) Also fits into category 2
27) The Shodan (Howard Collins)

Cat 2: Filosophy / Biography / Background info
1) The kyokushin Way (Mas Oyama)
2) My Journey in Karate (Joko Ninomia)
3) Oyama The Legend, The Legacy (Michael Lorden)
4) The Young Lions of Mas Oyama (Bobby Lowe)
5) John Bluming Autobiography (John Bluming)
6) The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama (Cameron Quinn)
7) The Human Face Of Karate (Tadashi Nakamura)

(Most notably ksan)

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 9:09pm

Originally Posted by Uri Shatil

Ninjutsu: History and Tradition by Massaki Hatsumi
Essense of Ninjutsu by Massaki Hatsumi

The two most useful readings I've found on Ninjutsi. However, it should be noted that Essence of Ninjutsu actually goes over the history and tradition of Ninjutsu, and Ninjutsi: History and Tradition covers the basic aspects of both mordern Ninjutsu and Ninpo and the historical ninja.

Who is your teacher for Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu?

Those books are truely mediocore at best.

**Uri Shatil** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 10:04pm

Actually, they weren't given to me by my teacher. They were among the more useful readings (I first read History and Tradition back when I was just beginning) that were not listed.

**Fitz** · Posted On: 3/12/2007 11:37pm

Hatsumi's recent hardcover books are better, more fleshed out sources, as far as the easily available materials go, then his previous books. _Togakure-ryu Ninpo Taijutsu_, which has been translated by Van Donk, is probably the best single volume on the methods of the Bujinkan and the source text for a lot of other publications.