Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai by Masaaki Hatsumi
|
List Price: Our Price: $18.74 You Save: $16.26 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $16.95 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai
Book Review: Save your cash for training
Summary: 1 Stars
This book will be absolutely USELESS to most, and UNNECESSARY for the rest. Indeed the kata of several schools of the Bujinkan are listed, but the lists are strictly verbal, no photos to help decipher the text. Futhermore, the verbal text is likely meaningless or confusing unless one is already familiar with the kata/lesson being addressed. Regarding the other sections of the book, Hatsumi-sensei tends to write in a rather cryptic way and one will likely have difficulty coaxing much out of the statements unless one is already rather well versed in the context. So, in a nutshell, if one does not already have a strong understanding of the material presented this book will be more of a hinderence than a help. If on the other hand, one is already well versed in the material then one will probably not be looking to a book for answers. And so, unless you are a collector of all things Hatsumi-sensei (the book does have some pretty photos after all), no need to buy this book. Spend your money instead on an extra training session or a daikomyosai video.Book Review: Another poor translation...
Summary: 1 Stars
Save your money Bujin-kuns!
I say this unless you can read the original Japanese text in the appendix.
This book is full of errors... both in the form of poor translation & layout. Some techniques have even been misplaced under the wrong sections!
These series of books really do not do Hatsumi-sensei any justice. Either he picked poor translators or they were chosen for him. The English translation reads very unprofessional and sounds like someone who has been in Japan long enough that they can no longer speak or write properly. It is unfortunate that the translators would accept such work that is out of their league.
If you can't read Japanese and are interested in a glimpse of who Hatsumi-sensei is and what he sounds like, try the "Way of the Ninja." Having read all of his books in Japanese, this one sounds most like his original penned words.
Book Review: If you are drinking the Kool-Aid...
Summary: 1 Stars
... of the Bujinkan this is a great book. About as great as the last couple that had pretty pictures, flowery words and... not much else. Yes, it's a Rorschach test, you see. If you find great meaning in someone telling you what you want to hear then this is an excellent investment.