Blackpool
Karate
tel:(01253) 500532
mob:07969348462
Member
of the IKMF and British Combat Association |
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Martial
Arts Books |
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People
often ask me how they can get better at their
martial arts. I listen then typically reply practise
more. However, as my instructor says "Practise
makes Permanent!". Thus, ensure that what
you practise is proper technique and correct your
mistakes. However, you do not only need to practise
martial arts to gain martial skills. Other sports
can help keep your reflexes fast and your body
strong. However, I enjoy reading to keep my mind
active and full of new ideas.
Like many people involved in martial arts "I
can't get enough good books!". In my spare
time, I enjoy reading all sorts of books and magazines.
After all, many of these are like the martial
artists trade journals. Many of the books I read
are about the martial arts and I regularly study
and refer back to my favourite tomes, Shingo Oghami's
Wado Ryu Karate Books. However, the odd fiction
novel slips in there, such as "Eric Van Lustbader
or Orson Scott Card". I can learn all sorts
from a well written piece of fiction, especially
if it is properly researched, such as Orson Scott
Card's "Enders Game".
Anyhow, here a few reviews of some of the books
which I've read recently and enjoyed. Some of
these books I've just finished, others I refer
back to on a frequent basis and virtually study
their contents. |
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Angry
White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger: Living
in Japan and having no prior experience of the
martial arts. Robert (A poet!!!) joins the Tokyo
Riot Police in a year long, brutally demanding
course of budo training.
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. If
you thought that Aikido was all chanting and doing
"roly-polys", you'll be in for a little
bit of a surprise. Robert studies at an intense
and often brutal martial arts school, where bones
get broken, you are disciplined constantly with
kneeling. Multiple bruises and intense training
in Yoshinkai Aikido. An inspiring and funny read.... |
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| The
way of the Warrior - The Paradox of the martial
arts by Howard Reid and Michael Croucher: Where
to begin.... This is one of those books which
you need to study, a little too heavy for bed
time reading. It covers the great Masters of India,
China, Japan and the Philippines with a personal
insight into their respective martial arts. It
is worth buying, just for the Pictures in the
book!!! |
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Arts of the Orient by Peter Lewis: When
I first saw this book (early 1990's), I simply
studied the pictures for hours. This book features
some of the best photographs on "...Kung
Fu - Karate - Jiu Jitsu - Judo - Aikido - Ninja
- Taekwon-do" I have ever seen. This book
features the origins and some techniques off the
above arts. I particularly liked the little touches
which the book has, whereby it features snippets
on the less commented upon arts, such as Shorinji
Kempo. |
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