Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)

Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)
by Dave Lowry

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Book Summary Information

Author: Dave Lowry
Editor: Mike Lee
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1986-02-01
ISBN: 0897501047
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Black Belt Communications

Book Reviews of Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)

Book Review: An Excellent Technical Introduction on a Rare Subject
Summary: 5 Stars

An excellent introduction to one of the most uncredited training tools of budo and bujutsu, the Bokken (pronounce bow-ken), or wooden sword. Author Dave Lowry is a dedicated practitioner of Japanese martial arts and culture, the perfect person to explain the history, usefulness, and general merits of the Bokken, an implement which is commonly used in Aikido as well as many Kory (pre-Meiji martial arts schools) in Japan for a variety of training and partner exercises.

I suppose Lowry could have made another book on Iaito with a live-blade sword, or otherwise spiced up his book with tall tales to sell better to teenage mutant ninjas...thank goodness he avoided the norm and instead presented thoughtful material a generation of serious budoka can appreciate. As Lowry observes concerning the joys of training and appreciation of heritage for the dedicated budoka of any art who takes up this practice:

"Certainly one of the most fascinating and rewarding lies in Suburi...with the wooden sword, or Bokken. True, the student of suburi used this practice weapon instead of a live sword (katana) and the movements are not so clearly lethal as those of the feudal warrior's art, but with his bokken, the modern budoka may train on two important levels. On one, he builds the physical stamina, body rythms and adroit body movements of traditional swordsmanship. On the other he achieves something f the animating spirit of the traditional swordsman. He is, through the refinement of his practice, linked in a very real way to his past, for it is through the principles of his swordsmanship that the budo of today have based their teachings, no matter what their present form". (page 13)

That Lowry's earlier works tend to be technical instructional manuals (his other early book "Jo: the Art of the Japanese Short Staff" is also recommended) while his later books delve deeper into sharing his life philosophy through personal experiences and observations is worthwhile noting as well. I know of no better teaching tool than to teach through example, sharing a thought, a technique or a story.

In my time, "Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword" has garnered the appreciation of experienced and aspiring Kendo-ka, Aikido-ka, Budo-ka, and simple individuals who have decided that mastering a discipline would enrich their lives. Those who practice bokken don't expect to become kenshi: we simply do with appreciation. Thank You Mr. Lowry!

As an aside, also the perfect accompanyment to the wooden suburi or bokken you give your kid for the holiday or birthday when you don't think s/he's _quite_ ready for a live blade yet :)

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Summary of Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)

Dave Lowry frequently travels throughout Asia to research its culture and history, and has written several books about Japan and the budo. He started writing for Black Belt magazine more than 20 years ago and has shared his traditional take on the martial arts world in a monthly column called Karate Way since 1986.

In Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword, Lowry focuses his expertise on the techniques and history of the bokken--the wooden training sword used by both ancient samurai and today's swordsmen. According to Lowry, training with the bokken is important on two levels for the modern practitioner: "On one, he builds the physical stamina, rhythms, and adroit body movements of traditional swordsmanship. On the other, he achieves something of the animating spirit of the traditional swordsman. He is, through the refinement of his practice, linked in a very real way to his past, for it is from the principles of swordsmanship that the budo of today have based their teachings, no matter what their present form."

Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword couples Lowry's concise, eloquent writing style with more than 100 hundred technique photographs to provide the reader with the traditional and modern perspectives of this vital, historically rich practice tool.

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