Modern Bushido book release

Kennesten

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Those who study the sword arts may be interested to know that Obata Toshishiro recently published a book of philosophy, Modern Bushido: Samurai Teachings for Modern Times. Essentially, it is a treatise on the value of the samurai philosophy of bushidō in the modern world, from the perspective of a prominent martial artist.

For those unfamiliar with Obata-sensei, he was an uchideshi of Shioda Gozo and is the founder of the Shinkendo style of swordsmanship. He was interviewed in the "Spotlight on Budo" some years ago on E-Budo (which is curiously down at the moment). Biographical information is available on the Shinkendo website.

The press release and some excerpts can be viewed online:
Press release
Preface and short excerpts


Here is an excerpt included in the press release:
“Through serious study of budō or any discipline, we may arrive at not only great truths, but simple ones as well, which are often no less valuable. In training to the depths of our abilities and pushing our limits, we learn how to carry out our will with excellence in even the most trivial of affairs; in studying strategy that can mean the difference between life and death, we may discover, perhaps unexpectedly, a common strategy of everyday living. Even if budō can save your life, it is just as important to understand how to live.”


And here is the jacket text:
From Modern Bushido

“To truly learn the sword is not to simply train muscles or memorize techniques, but to change ourselves utterly that we may be capable in a struggle of life and death, no matter if it is a moment of brief conflict or the ongoing personal struggles that define our lives. The honesty of sword practice allows us to see ourselves and the world around us clearly and sharply, and in this way we may study ourselves deeply and reap knowledge that will aid us in all of our pursuits. The truths we learn in budō become vital wisdom in our daily lives; this is but one reason why the martial arts have continued to be valued over the centuries. In modern times, the study of swordsmanship and budō not only endures, but has found lasting vitality and relevance, despite the stark differences between our world and the world of the bushi in which these arts came to be. We grasp the sword to change our own lives. In doing so, we may perhaps change the lives of others as well. In this way, the study of swordsmanship is no different than it was centuries ago, and no less important.”

Renowned not only for their military prowess and skill with the sword but also as leaders, artists, intellectuals, writers, and philosophers, the samurai reigned over Japan for the better part of a thousand years, and their legacy survives in various forms today, not the least of which is bushidō, the Way of the Samurai. In Modern Bushidō, renowned swordsman and author Toshishiro Obata revives and renews the teachings of the samurai, exploring their modern relevance and crystallizing them within his own lifelong experience studying the Japanese warrior arts. By studying this ancient approach to living, we can discover truths and insights that are no less valuable today than they were centuries ago, and can come to understand how the way the samurai lived their lives can enrich and elevate our own.


Students of the classics will recognize Confucian, Neo-Confucian, and Taoist influences. Although this is not strictly a work on the martial arts, it does address them in large part, including a section that relates principles of swordsmanship to principles of living. A couple of early readers remarked that it helped them understand why they practiced the martial arts in the first place, which can be difficult to articulate.

Some other notes of interest: Those familiar with Nakamura Taizaburo may be interested to see some examples of his calligraphy reproduced in the book from various scrolls he wrote for Obata-sensei. Also, one of the appendices is an adaptation and translation of Uesugi clan precepts.


Thank you for your indulgence. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the work via PM.
 

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