Recommended reading for the martial arts. This is my personal library list. I practice Okinawan Te or "Ryukyu Ti." My system is derived from two others, one being the main influence of Shorin-ryu and the second Goju-ryu. The branch under Shorin-ryu is Isshin-ryu as developed by Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei.

I wanted to create a library reference blog where I can provide a listing of the books I have in my library, present and past (past in that some have been lost in transit over the years). I will provide a graphic, if available, a short description, if available, and the bibliography. When possible a link to Amazon will be provided.

"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon


Reader's of this Blog

Monday, March 12, 2012

Hara

Bibliography:
Durckheim, Karlfried G. "Hara: The Vital Center of Man." Unwin. 1988.

Review: This is the first real definitive book on the subject of "hara" that I had come across at the time. It is often referenced in other works on various topics such as martial systems and cultural words of Japan and China. Well worth the cost if you can get a copy.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Best of Dave Lowry

Special Posting: I am lumping all of Mr. Lowry's books into one post with one review simply because of the quality and quantity of his publications. His efforts are most appreciated by this practitioner of karate and I give a highest possible recommendation all of his efforts be added to your library.

The Best of Dave Lowry
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "The Best of Dave Lowry: Karate Way Columns 1995 to 2005." Black Belt Communications. New York. 2005.





 

Persimmon Wind
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Persimmon Wind: A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan." Koryu Books. New York. 2005.









Autumn Lightning
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai." Shambhala Publications. Boston. 1985.
http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Lightning-Education-American-Samurai/dp/1570621152/ref=pd_sim_b_4/103-7155655-3955034?ie=UTF8&qid=1173636227&sr=1-1




Traditions
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways." Tuttle Publishing. Vermont. 2002.







Sword and Brush
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts." Shambhala Publications. Boston. 1995.







Moving Toward Stillness
Bibliography:
Lowry, Dave. "Moving Toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan." Tuttle Publishing. Vermont. 2000.








Review: Koryu, a term most have either not heard before or if they do they have no clue as to what it means for their practice of the martial way. Dave Lowry provides those outside the "Koryu circiles" a glimpse into this most "traditional form" of training and practice. In my view it is another wonderful insight into the culture, beliefs and ways of the Japanese Martial Arts.

As readers of this blog and my other blogs know, seeking out the knowledge of the cultures that originated this form we practice called, often incorrectly, martial arts that to not have his publications in your library is a "missing link" to your training, practice and way.

There are a couple of other most excellent sources to the "Koryu (core-you) Ways" but none to date have placed so much in the hands of the neophyte of martial systems than Mr. Lowry.

Try the first in the list if you doubt me. This is a compilation of the articles he writes for black belt magazine. It is the only redeeming quality of that publication that brings me to the newsstand otherwise I prefer CFA magazine. (another personal opinion ;-)