What martial arts book are you currently reading?

[Gyakuto104]

How is Medieval Warrior Cultures? Does it go into some good history depth?

Yes. There was a similar hierarchy of nobles, artisans and peasant in Europe as there was in Japan. The King was ‘anointed’ by the deity and the knights (equivalent to the samurai) even had a ‘code of chivalry’ by which they lived (equivalent to Bushido). The control of the nobles and peasants was much stricter in Japan, however. Christianity was central to the feudal Europe whereas in Japan, it was loyalty to one’s Lord. Like feudal Japan, there was political intrigue, filial disloyalty, duplicity and everyone was sh*gging each other’s wives and servants! The similarities are uncanny!

 

[Stuarto65]

Yes. There was a similar hierarchy of nobles, artisans and peasant in Europe as there was in Japan. The King was ‘anointed’ by the deity and the knights (equivalent to the samurai) even had a ‘code of chivalry’ by which they lived (equivalent to Bushido). The control of the nobles and peasants was much stricter in Japan, however. Christianity was central to the feudal Europe whereas in Japan, it was loyalty to one’s Lord. Like feudal Japan, there was political intrigue, filial disloyalty, duplicity and everyone was sh*gging each other’s wives and servants! The similarities are uncanny!

Indeed the hierarchy is very similar with Daimyos and Barons, knights and samurai! In Europe, peasants belonged to the land, often attached to a manor belonging to a lord. The manor was granted to a lord by the crown. Probably very similar to the Shogun granting land and castles to Daimyo. Very similar indeed!

 

[Gyakuto104]

I suspect this type of system only evolves in very old cultures. Newer civilisations seem to come up with more egalitarian systems, where only amoral, deviant billionaires end up ruling the country, whereas our feudal system only produces honorable, pure descendants (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Harry…)

 

[Xue Sheng98]

Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health: Hwa, Stephen: 9781449917890: Amazon.com: Books

Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health [Hwa, Stephen] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health

www.amazon.com

 

[Stuarto65]

Current read

 

[Gyakuto104]

Amazon.com

I have that very book in my hands!

 

[Stuarto65]

I have that very book in my hands!

Just got it in from amazon the other day!

 

[Gyakuto104]

It’s in my pile of books but is near the top!

 

[Gyakuto104]

Just got it in from amazon the other day!

Why are you interested in this, Stuarto?

I became interested in these people known as ‘Hitokiri’ or man cutters/man slayers, particularly Okado Izo, who were employed by the Shinsengumi to assassinate those they didn’t appreciate. They were, apparently, very skilled swordsman but were not left psychologically untouched by what they did. I find these ‘executioners’, morbidly fascinating. This book, and the very weird film ‘Izo’, seem the only English-language resources on the subject.

Thanks to you, I’m moving it to the top of my reading pile!

 

[Stuarto65]

Why are you interested in this, Stuarto?

I became interested in these people known as ‘Hitokiri’ or man cutters/man slayers, particularly Okado Izo, who were employed by the Shinsengumi to assassinate those they didn’t appreciate. They were, apparently, very skilled swordsman but were not left psychologically untouched by what they did. I find these ‘executioners’, morbidly fascinating. This book, and the very weird film ‘Izo’, seem the only English-language resources on the subject.

Thanks to you, I’m moving it to the top of my reading pile!

Yes, I am somewhat familiar with the Hitokiri, man slayers of Japan. More particularly with Kawakami Gensai whom the character Kenshin is based off. I have an interest in the time period of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration. It was quite a turbulent time between the Shogunate and Imperial (Ishin Shishi) The Hitokiri certainly were astounding swordsman, and the Shinsengumi had quite a few too such as Okita and Hijikata. I love that history!

 

[Gyakuto104]

Fascinating stuff, indeed. I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t cashed in on these stories rather than tired Marvel and unoriginal remakes they seem to go for.

 

[Stuarto65]

Fascinating stuff, indeed. I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t cashed in on these stories rather than tired Marvel and unoriginal remakes they seem to go for.

Surprising indeed considering some of the amazing history and people involved. The closest they came to that time period was the Last Samurai. Tom Cruise really wanted to be a samurai

 

[Stuarto65]

Fascinating stuff, indeed. I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t cashed in on these stories rather than tired Marvel and unoriginal remakes they seem to go for.

Remakes, that's all they seem to do these days, and I've never really been a fan of all the Marvel stuff.

 

[Gyakuto104]

A man after my own heart!

 

[isshinryuronin]

Back in the 60's, a couple of dojo-mates and I would go after class into Hollywood to the Toho La Brea theater, an artsy Japanese theater that played Samurai movies and would be mesmerized by the intense combat scenes, uncluttered yet deep plots and dramatic cinematography - so unlike Western movies. Years later, I believe that helped my iaido performance as I channeled that feeling into my technique.

 

[Gyakuto104]

Back in the 60's,

My parents used to occasionally talk about the 60s. I only recently began believing they existed…

a couple of dojo-mates and I would go after class into Hollywood to the Toho La Brea theater, an artsy Japanese theater that played Samurai movies

That’s so cool! Only in the USA could such a cinema be set up

and would be mesmerized by the intense combat scenes, uncluttered yet deep plots and dramatic cinematography - so unlike Western movies.

They are often such complex stories; I’m often get a bit lost and resort to online synopses!

Years later, I believe that helped my iaido performance as I channeled that feeling into my technique.

Oh you’re ’Slasher Isshinryu’? We heard tales of your exploits even in England.

 

[isshinryuronin]

My parents used to occasionally talk about the 60s. I only recently began believing they existed

Understandable, they did have an unreal quality about them - experimental music, miniskirted and braless girls, lack of PC social filters, James Bond, landing on the moon, and TMA still being an esoteric art, etc. A great and exciting time to be a teen/young adult (if you don't count Viet Nam). I think you'd have loved it!

 

[Gyakuto104]

Understandable, they did have an unreal quality about them - experimental music, miniskirted and braless girls, lack of PC social filters, James Bond, landing on the moon, and TMA still being an esoteric art, etc. A great and exciting time to be a teen/young adult (if you don't count Viet Nam). I think you'd have loved it!

I’m very familiar with the moon landings, so that’s my perspective of the 60s…a golden era.

Anil Sahal

Fullness of the Head

 

[Gyakuto104]

Does anyone have a martial arts book which they think is truly amazing and changed their perceptions?

Surprisingly, a book loosely about Sumo would be my choice.

The chapter about the nature of the teacher is worth the price of the book alone!

 

[Fungus95]

That a funny technical metaphoric ritual. Pure salt thrown in the air as nucleation sites of evil spirits present in aerosols form for filtering effect? Evil spirits condense onto the pure crystals and filter the air. Perhaps in Sumo 2.0 they should consider a hand of active coal to soak up even organic evil resistant to nucleation?