Recommended books

[Legionario]

I want to buy some books about kendo. Here a list I made browsing through Amazon. Any advice on which to buy and which to stay away from?
Thanks a lot.

The list:

Kendo: The Definitive Guide (Hardcover)
by Hiroshi Ozawa
$23.10
http://www.amazon.com/Kendo-Definitive-Guide-Hiroshi-Ozawa/dp/4770021194/

This Is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing (Paperback)
by Junzo Sasamori
$14.78
http://www.amazon.com/This-Kendo-Art-Japanese-Fencing/dp/0804816077/

Kendo: Elements, Rules, and Philosophy (Latitude 20 Book) (Paperback)
by Jinichi Tokeshi
$16.50
http://www.amazon.com/Kendo-Elements-Rules-Philosophy-Latitude/dp/0824825985/

Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata (Tuttle Martial Arts) (Paperback)
by Paul Budden
$14.96
http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Far-Mountain-Tuttle-Martial/dp/0804832455/

Complete Kendo (Tuttle Martial Arts) (Paperback)
by John J. Donohue
$15.56
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Kendo-Tuttle-Martial-Arts/dp/0804831483/

The Heart of Kendo: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of the Art of the Sword (Paperback)
by Darrell Max Craig
$18.96
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Kendo-Comprehensive-Introduction-Philosophy/dp/1590300149/

The Shambhala Guide to Kendo: Its Philosophy, History, and Spiritual Dimension (Paperback)
by Minoru Kiyota
$14.78
http://www.amazon.com/Shambhala-Guide-Kendo-Philosophy-Spiritual/dp/1570629277/

The Way of Kendo and Kenjitsu: Soul of the Samurai (Paperback)
by Darrell Max Craig
$17.90
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Kendo-Kenjitsu-Soul-Samurai/dp/1594390029/

[Legionario]

Oh, I forgot to add that I am particularly interested in books covering alternative kamae like jodan and such.

Thanks again.

[Sparv]

You will find some documents on the site of halifaxkendo (http://www.halifaxkendo.org/kendo.html). I'm sure some of the members of this club are registered on the forum.

[Newbie]

I've got Definitive Guide (most useful kendo book I own), This Is Kendo and Kendo & Kenjitsu and all are useful in different ways but take everything carefully cos your sensei wont have the same views and ideas on everything these guys say.

Also useful would be books like Budo, Mind & Body (another Shambala I think) which I've just finished reading.

[Maximilian_Slad]

I have these two

Kendo: The Definitive Guide (Hardcover)
by Hiroshi Ozawa
$23.10
http://www.amazon.com/Kendo-Definiti...dp/4770021194/ (http://www.amazon.com/Kendo-Definitive-Guide-Hiroshi-Ozawa/dp/4770021194/)

This Is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing (Paperback)
by Junzo Sasamori
$14.78
http://www.amazon.com/This-Kendo-Art...dp/0804816077/ (http://www.amazon.com/This-Kendo-Art-Japanese-Fencing/dp/0804816077/)


and

for Nito
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4789920828/503-9592362-0823960

for Jodan (and other advanced techniques)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4789920798/503-9592362-0823960

and general kendo
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/478992078X/503-9592362-0823960

I Like the Advanced techniques a lot.

[Rob W.]

One of my sempai swears by "Looking at a far Mountain", he says it's one of the most useful books to own on kendo.

I own "The Heart of Kendo", and although the anecdotes are interesting and enjoyable, the how-to instruction is very different than my sensei's. It has some points that have helped me, things said in different ways.

I would highly reccomend "Mastery" by George Leonard, and "Kodo: Ancient Ways" by Kensho Furuya. Although neither are about kendo in specific, they both help me understand why I practice and the point of practice in general.

"Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings" by Kenji Tokitsu is another amazing book for a kendoka, although not about kendo directly. It is extremely well researched, does a great job of citing it's sources as it seperating fact from fiction, and is written by a professional author and martial artist (karate). The footnotes and appendixes that take up a third of the book contain many well researched articles about the history and development of kenjutsu and budo, and are in my opinion worth the cover price themselves.

[Rob W.]

P.S. I was advised to ask my sensei and look up all authors on the internet and in budo forums to get an idea of who's teachings you're reading. Some sound authoritative but are only legends in their own minds.

[ben]

It's getting a bit old now but "Zen and the Ways" by Trevor Leggett is a great book for dipping in and out of. Lots of excellent stories.

Also the three volume Koryu survey, edited by Di Skoss, from Koryu.com is a must have.

The other trilogy that's a must-have is Draeger's three volume Bujutsu/Budo survey. For a judo man and subsequent koryu convert, he had a lot of time for kendo. The remarkable thing about his writing is that it still has authority this far down the track, even though the collective knowledge amongst foreigners of JMA and esp koryu has increased immeasurably since his time. He was careful to make sure his information was relevant from both an emic (insider) and etic (outsider) standpoint (a little Hoplology reference there ;)).

b

[ZtefaNNN[K]]

I had "looking at a far mountain" it´s a great book, mostly related to kendo kata, but very good pictures and explanatory views and info.

I now have "KENDO The Definitive Guide" and as far as my opinion goes, it´s a good book about kihon and that kind of stuff that you find almost everywhere, the interesting point in this book are the insights in methods of practice and such things that it makes.

I don´t know the other books, but my sensei that there was a book called "advanced shiai techniques" or something like that, that was very interesting and useful for shiai.

hope this helps.

[DCPan]

It's getting a bit old now but "Zen and the Ways" by Trevor Leggett is a great book for dipping in and out of. Lots of excellent stories.

This one is fairly good too:

Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Archery-Eugen-Herrigel/dp/0375705090

For Kendo books in English, I like "This is Kendo" and "Looking at a Far Mountain" the best....

The three books by koryubooks.com are excellent reading as well.

[Chaby]

I have "Kendo-The Definitive Guide", great book everything about basic techniques,formalities,rules etc. Everything U need to know about Kendo.
Also, "Looking At Far Mountain", good kata-detailed book,interesting Kendo history review and pictures.
I found that enough for basics.

Later U could get
Miyamoto Musashi:The Book of Five Rings
Great book, can use it outside the Kendo world.
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Five-Rings-Miyamoto-Musashi/dp/4770028016/ref=sr_1_4/102-1134124-1953733?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182890520&sr=1-4

I added few books by Morihei Ueshiba,for the philosophical part:
The Essence of Aikido: Spiritual Teachings of Morihei Ueshiba
http://www.amazon.com/Essence-Aikido-Spiritual-Teachings-Morihei/dp/477002357X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-1134124-1953733?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182890148&sr=1-2
The Art of Peace
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Peace-Morihei-Ueshiba/dp/1590304489/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-1134124-1953733?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182890148&sr=1-3
The last three is up to you,not a got-to-have books.


Cheers!

[Darknails]

Hi Legionario,
I own five books among the ones you asked about. Here you can see my opinions on them
http://shinai.blogspot.com/2007/06/reviews-on-kendo-books.html

Hope this helps.:chinese:

[Legionario]

Thanks everybody for the comments and precious advices. :smiley:
They have all been very helpful.


You will find some documents on the site of halifaxkendo (http://www.halifaxkendo.org/kendo.html). I'm sure some of the members of this club are registered on the forum.
Thanks.
I know the Halifax Kendo website, it contains some extremely valuable informations.


for Nito
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4789920828/503-9592362-0823960

for Jodan (and other advanced techniques)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4789920798/503-9592362-0823960
I have both.
I reviewed the second in the forum few months ago: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13697
It is a good book, I got it mostly for the jodan techniques... :silly:


One of my sempai swears by "Looking at a far Mountain", he says it's one of the most useful books to own on kendo.
[...]
I own "The Heart of Kendo"
I got the both of them in their italian translation.
Hadn't had the time to go through neither yet... :cry:


I own five books among the ones you asked about. Here you can see my opinions on them
http://shinai.blogspot.com/2007/06/reviews-on-kendo-books.html
Hope this helps.
Yes, it was very helpful.
Thanks a lot for caring to write your comments down.


Thanks again everybody and please excuse me if I didn't personally replied to any of you.

Arrivederci.

[Rob1981]

Looking at a far mountain is very good for telling you the various mindsets that go with each kame which helps with adaptation and improvisation

[Hoolz]

I really enjoyd the one from Hiroshi Ozawa. Very interesting. Te lo consiglio :)

[Legionario]

I really enjoyd the one from Hiroshi Ozawa. Very interesting. Te lo consiglio
I'll get it for sure later this year. I have to place a monster order on Amazon, books on kendo and other subjects I am interested in.
Grazie del consiglio. Cari saluti a te e al bellissimo Trentino Alto Adige! :wink: