MARTIAL ARTS
TRAINING IN JAPAN
MARTIAL ARTS
TRAINING IN JAPAN
A Guide for Westerners
David E. Jones
Tuttle Publishing
Boston • Rutland, Vermont • Tokyo
First published in 2001 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A.
Copyright © 2001 by David E. Jones
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from Tuttle Publishing.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in Publication Data
Jones, David E., 1942
Martial arts training in Japan: a guide for Westerners / by David E. Jones.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-8048-3270-6 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-4629-1828-7 (ebook)
1. Martial arts—Training—Japan. 2. Bushido. 3. Martial arts—Japan—Philosophy. I. Title.
GV1102.7.T7 J66 2001
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Dedication
For all those teachers of the Warrior Way who
inspired me and encouraged me to stay the course.
(Gerald Brown Sensei, Thomas Cauley Shihan,
Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, Chan Poi Sifu, Dennis Hooker Shihan,
Asakuma Shihan, Ogata Shihan, Hanada Shihan)
Domo arigato gozaimasu!
Foreword by Professor Thomas Cauley
Karatedo: The Way of the Empty Hand
Naginatado: The Way of the Naginata
Iaido: The Way of Drawing the Sword
Testing for Rank in a Japanese Dojo
Twenty-First-Century Samurai: An Interview
The Four Philosophical Worlds of Budo
Foreword
By Professor Thomas Cauley Kyoshi
Eighth-dan Chief Instructor, International Division, Sakugawa
Koshiki Shorinji-ryu karatedo and Yuishinkai kobujutsu
When I introduced Sakugawa Koshiki Shorinji-ryu karatedo to the United States in 1969, I found a willing following, but one that did not have the academic background or tenacity to understand the esoteric lessons of karatedo. In 1978, Professor David E. Jones entered my dojo in Orlando, Florida. I was at once impressed with his deep understanding of things Japanese and with his tireless pursuit of budo (the martial ways of Japan).
Since that time, David has continued to be an exemplary student, scholar, and proponent of Shorinji-ryu karatedo. He spent a year in Japan as a Fulbright scholar and taught in Fukuoka City. During this time he pursued several other martial Ways, including kyudo (yabusame) and Muso-ryu jyodo.
His book is a long overdue publication that will be of great use to martial arts teachers and students alike. The universality of budo, its worldwide practice and acceptance, a general deterioration of principles and precepts, and the desire of many to “return to the source,” have all necessitated