Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt;Unlock the secrets of the legendary weapons of the samuraiandlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;While the samurai is well known as the military nobility of medieval Japan, their range of weapons, which went far beyond the katana, bow, and spear, is lesser known. For instance, some weapons, like the tesson, or iron fan, were used in secret where samurai swords were not allowed. Others were improvised, with warriors using whatever fighting tool was at hand. In andlt;iandgt;Samurai Weaponsandlt;/iandgt;, readers will follow the story of Zenigata Heiji, among others, who developed an uncanny ability to use heavy coins as dangerous weapons by throwing them like bullets.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Author Don Cunningham, who held ranks in judo, jujutsu, and kendo, including a second dan license from the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, gives us a historical look at these ancient arms in a way that's useful for novices and samurai experts alike.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Chapters cover such rich details as:andlt;ulandgt;andlt;liandgt;Japanese martial arts cultureandlt;/liandgt;andlt;liandgt;Hidden weaponsandlt;/liandgt;andlt;liandgt;Sensu, truncheons, and polearmsandlt;/liandgt;andlt;/ulandgt;Learn how and why samurai weapons included not only the sword of popular lore, but also a variety of others. Cunningham describes the society of Japan, how the samurai class arose, and the place in society that samurai held through the centuries, focusing in particular on the various weaponry they used, how they used it, and why. andlt;iandgt;Samurai Weaponsandlt;/iandgt; highlights how these weapons and fighting styles have influenced various schools of Japanese martial arts.
Review
"A unique book, the best English language source on the topic. If you want to learn the small weapons of Japan, you want this book."and#8212;Kim Taylor, editor, andlt;iandgt;Journal of Japanese Sword Artsandlt;/iandgt;; publisher, andlt;iandgt;Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Scienceandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
Weapons, particularly bladed ones such as swords, are enjoying a renaissance of interest from every source, from collectors to laypeople. The samurai, a glorified figure in Japan and the West, employed a variety of weapons, not least of which was the sword.
Samurai Weapons details how and why their arsenal included not only the sword of popular lore, but also a variety of other tools, including concealed weapons, improvised fighting tools, fans, truncheons and pole arms.
The author succinctly describes the society of Japan, how and why the samurai class arose, and the place that samurai held in that society through the centuries, focusing in particular on the various weaponry, how these weapons were used and why. In addition, Samurai Weapons highlights the influence these weapons and fighting styles had on many different schools of Japanese martial arts.
Synopsis
A detailed look at the wide variety of weapons used by samurai warriors
Synopsis
Weapons, particularly bladed ones such as swords, are enjoying a renaissance of interest from every source, from collectors to laypeople. The samurai, a glorified figure in Japan and the West, employed a variety of weapons, not least of which was the sword.
Samurai Weapons details how and why their arsenal included not only the sword of popular lore, but also a variety of other tools, including concealed weapons, improvised fighting tools, fans, truncheons and pole arms.
The author succinctly describes the society of Japan, how and why the samurai class arose, and the place that samurai held in that society through the centuries, focusing in particular on the various weaponry, how these weapons were used and why. In addition, Samurai Weapons highlights the influence these weapons and fighting styles had on many different schools of Japanese martial arts.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Don Cunningham, Ph.D.andlt;/bandgt;, has studied and written about Japanese modern and traditional martial arts for more than thirty years and is a frequent contributor to martial arts publications. He is currently assistant professor at Radford University in Radford, Virginia.