Budō is enjoying astonishing popularity outside of Japan, more than the Japanese could ever imagine, and the potential of budō as a form of personal development is not unfamiliar to non-Japanese budōka. The main difficulty faced by enthusiasts overseas, however, is the dearth of reliable information. There is a growing number of books written in many languages that address the history and culture of budō, but nothing significant to date that has emanated from Japan. This book is the first such undertaking on this scale, being supported by all of the martial arts federations and organizations associated with the Nippon Budokan. It is by far the most comprehensive English language book on all of the Japanese martial arts ever to come out of Japan, and will serve as a dependable reference guide for a more penetrating analysis of budō culture in the future. It is a must have for all martial arts enthusiasts and scholars.