|
|
| Recommended Reading |
| Recommended Reading |
|
|
Nihon Go-Shin Kage Ryu Reading List
This reading list provides a list of works that to help further the historical and cultural understanding of the martial arts to our present and prospective members.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Okinawan Arts of Tuite:
The grappling art of Tuite, an Okinawan form of Aiki Ju Jutsu and weapons art is covered in some depth in the following two works. Of these two works, the first is in two editions, which differ slightly.
Bishop, M (1999) Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniques. London. A & C Black. 2nd Edition
Or
Bishop, M (1989) Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniques. Tokyo. Tuttle. 1st Edition
The last two chapters of both the 1st and 2nd edition have a section on Ti and Kobudo styles providing some useful information about tuite. The second edition has been updated by the author and contains some previously unpublished photos.
Bishop, M (1996) Zen Kobudo: Mysteries of Okinawan Weaponry and Te. Tokyo. Tuttle.
The book contains some very useful information about the history of Te in Chapters 3 Te & Kobudo systems & Chapter 4 The modern Kobudo Scene.
Matsuo Kanenori Sakon (2005) The Secret Royal Martial Arts of Ryukyu. Transl by Joe Swift. Norderstedt. Books on Demand
This book is a translation of the Japanese work Ryukyu Oke Hiden Bu Jutsu, the title of which translates as above. Matsuo Kanenori Sakon is a Shito Ryu Karate practitioner who has also studied Nitten Ichi Ryu Swordsmanship and who was a student of Seikichi Uehara and Motobu Udun Ti from 1965. The book provides some historical information, descriptions of techniques and the underlying philosophy of the styles Motobu Udun Ti and Ryukyu Oke Hiden Bu Jutsu Sakon Ryu.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Okinawan Kempo:
Arakaki, Kiyoshi (2000) Okinawa Budo-Karate no Gokui. Fukushodo.
This work is also called:
Arakaki, Kiyoshi (2000) The Secrets of Okinawan Karate: Essences and Technique. London. Kodansha.
This work is particularly useful in that it emphasises the misinterpretations of Okinawan Karate by the Japanese and Western teachers and demonstrates some interesting links with Aikido and various forms of swordsmanship including Shin Kage Ryu which it discusses in relation to Okinawan Kempo. Many of the principles and techniques are discussed in relation to the laws of gravity and the Imaginary Centre of Gravity. The style is Muso Kai.
McCarthy, P (1997) The Bible of Karate Bubishi.Tokyo. Charles E Tuttle & Company.
Whilst this book is titled the Bible of Karate the Bubishi is in fact a Chinese work that surfaced in Okinawa and which many Karate Masters have said was a treasured work. There are some useful diagrams of meridians and details of Chinese Herbal medicine contained therein.
Nagamine, Shoshin (2000) Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters. Transl. Patrick McCarthy.Boston. Tuttle.
This work provides some details of the history of Okinawan Karate and Kempo by looking at the lives of various Masters, whether some of the tales are true or are bolstered by myths is a matter of debate, though it is nonetheless a very useful book.
Nagamine, Shoshin (1976) The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do. Tokyo. Charles E Tuttle & Company.
This work is genarally regarded as excellent in its coverage of the history of Okinawan Karate/Kempo, Kihon and Kata, Nagamine Sensei along with Motobu, Chokki Sensei were influential upon Arakaki Sensei whose book is mentioned above.
There are a small number of groups practising various forms of Te in the United Kingdom, some of these belong to groups which promote or have at some time promoted Te such as UK Bugeikan, Sogo Bugei No Kai and Seidokan Motobu Ha Shito Ryu, where as others practising Te may belong to Karate and Kempo styles.
Chinese Martial Arts
It may seem strange to include some recommended reading on Chinese Martial Arts in relation Ju Jutsu, though not in relation to Kempo. There is a strand of thought in Ju Jutsu which accepts the possibility that Japanese Ju Jutsu may very well have had its origins in the Chinese Martial Arts especially the Seizing art known as Chin Na. Certainly the techniques of Traditional Ju Jutsu, Okinawan Te and Kempo contain techniques that are the same as those found in Chin Na.
Frantzis, B K (1998) The Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing I. Berkeley. North Atlantic Books.
this book discusses aspects of both internal and external Chinese martial arts and provides some interesting profiles of various martial arts masters of the East. It provides good descriptions of both techniques and principles including the philosophy underlying them before discussing the history and fighting applications of the three internal arts that are mentioned in its title. There are however very few pictures of techniques.
Smith, R W ( 1974/1990) Chinese Boxing Masters & Methods. Berkeley. North Atlantic Books.
This book documents the authors studies with a variety of Masters whilst in Taiwan, there are some good explanations of principles applicable to ALL martial arts and also gives mention the visit of Ryuho Okuyama, the founder of Hakko Ryu,to Taiwan.
Yang Jwing Ming Shaolin Chin Na: the Seizing Art of Kung Fu. Burbank. Ca. Unique Publications.
This work tells something about the history of Chinese White Crane and its Chin Na, Massage and grappling techniques. This is a well illustrated and useful work of reference with good explainations of the diagrams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
History of Samurai Arts:
The works below provide diagrams or photographs of techniques and also provide something about the historical and cultural context in which the martial arts emerged.
Farris, William Wayne (1995) Heavenly Warriors: The evolution of Japan's Military, 500-1300. Harvard East Asian Monograph No. 157. Harvard univesity Press.
This work as its title suggests is concerned with the evolution of teh Japanese warrior from 500AD and offers an alternative to the Western Anologue theory which compares the development of the Samurai warriors to the Knights in Europe. Part of Ferris' argument is that the prototype of the Japanese Samurai Warrior has its origins in the local strongmen. Although this work is very academic it provides some useful data using primary sources.
Mol, S (2001) Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu. Tokyo. Kodansha.
This work is useful, provides photographs of the techniques of various Ryuha, including those performed in armour and shows the various manuscripts and lineages of a wide variety of Koryu Ju Jutsu Styles.
Ratti,O & Westbrook, A (1999) Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Edison. NJ. Castle Press,
This is a good general work on the history of Samurai schools, philosophy, methods and techniques and also covers the BuJutsu aspects in Gendai (Modern) Forms such as Karate, Aikido & Judo.:
Skoss, D (1999) Classical warrior Traditions of Japan. Berkeley Heights. NJ. Koryu Books.
This is a series of 3 volumes examining the Koryu traditions of Japan, each volume includes a field guide, interviews with headmasters as well as senior students in the west and contains some black and white photographs.
Turnbull, S (1982) The Book of the Samurai The warrior class of Japan. London. Magna.
Dr Stephen Turnbull was at the time of writing a Reader in History at the University of Leeds. this work documents the evolution and decline of the Samurai.
Turnbull, S Samurai Warfare. Arms & Armour.
This book begins with the rise of the Samurai looks at Military Gentleman, warrior Monks, the techniques of warfare both land and sea, the castle and examines a number of famous Samurai battles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Japanese Ju Jutsu:
It has often been indicated that Tuite looks like a silly version of Aikido and has generally been regarded as an Okinawan Aiki-Jutsu. The techniques employed in this Tuite are very similar to those Hakko Ryu Ju Jutsu. In Nihon Go Shin Kage Ryu many of the Ju Jutsu techniques have similar names and look like Hakko Ryu techniques. It has also been rumoured at various points that Seikichi Uehara the headmaster of the Seidokan Motobu Udun Ti Ryu Dojo in Okinawa holds a Menkyo Kaiden in Hakko Ryu and that this may have influenced his interpretation of Motobu Ryu Udun Te.
The founder of Hakko Ryu had studied Daito Ryu and various styles of Chinese Medicine, Ryuho Okuyama Hakko Ryu’s founder visited both Okinawa and Tawian in order to popularise his art (As did Seikichi Uehara of Motobu Udun Ti).
The recommended texts on Hakko Ryu are
Palumbo, G (1987) The Secrets of Hakko Ryu: Shodan Tactics
Palumbo, G (1988) Secret Nidan Techniques of Hakko Ryu
Both of these texts are published by. Paladin Press Boulder. Colarado
These books (above) outline the syllabus of Hakko Ryu demonstrating and explaining techniques of that style, which is not dissimilar to Kamishin Ryu or Tuite, although the emphasis differs slightly.
Reilly, Robin L (1989) Japans Complete Fighting System Shin Kage Ryu. Tokyo. Kodansha.
This is the art that the author was taught by Fumio Nagaoka at the Kobukan in Yokohama, Japan. The author tells us that Master Nagaoka had practised Judo & Kendo, but that his main art was Ju Jutsu which he had studied in the 1920's, but by the 1960's he had modified his style of Shin Kage Ryu to include techniques from Okinawan Karate and Japanese Judo. Stances, Blocks, strikes, kicks, Breakfalls, Throws, Chokes, arm locks, holds, Sparring drills, Combination techniques, breaking holds, Kata and weapons namely the sword and Knife are depicted in this work, however although the Jo is mentioned as a weapon in this system little detail is provided. The books author is a practitioner of Shotokan Karate and this appears to have influenced to some extent the interpretation of the style. The techniques depicted in the book are similar to those of Nihon Goshin Kempo Ju Jutsu Kai.
Japanese Ju Jutsu is not as formally organised in the UK as is Aikido, Judo, Kendo and Iaido. There are many diffent types of Ju Jutsu, some very traditional and some quite modern, you have to judge each on its merits and in acordance with what it is that you are looking for. I.e. Self defence, an Alternative form of exercise, Cultural aspects and so forth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Aikido
Books on Aikido have been listed under recommended reading as Aikido is probably the closest that one will come when looking at Gendai Forms to classical Japanese Ju Jutsu and Okinawan Tuite. Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba had previously studied Daito Ryu, Gotto Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Ju Jutsu and Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship as well as Hozo In Ryu Spear. It is widely believed that the sword postures of Aikido have come from the Shin Kage Ryu, the Jo exercises from Hozo In Ryu and the empty handed aspects from Daito Ryu & Gotto Ryu, as well as other sources such as the Kito Ryu and Tenjin Shinyo Ryu. There are notable similarities between Hakko Ryu, which comes from Daito Ryu, and Aikido and Okinawan Tuite which has also often been described as a silly version of Aikido or as Okinawan Aiki Jutsu. The techniques of these various arts are similar but their emphasis differs.
Kouzo Kaku (2000) The Mysterious Power of Ki: the Force within. Folkestone. Global Oriental.
This book is highly recommended regardless of what art you practice. The author was born in Osaka and is a descendant of the Togun Ryu school of Ken Jutsu and Master of Taisha Ryu Kenjutsu, he holds high grades in Aikido and teaches at a University in Nara.
O Ratti & Westbrook Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere.
All though this book is mainly concerned with Aikido it is important to realise that Aikido is based on Yagyu Ryu, Shin Kage Ryu and Daito Ryu styles of Ju Justu and Ken Jutsu (Sword Art). The main difference is in the stances and the angles. This book is highly recommended for those interested specifically in the art of Aikido for which it will be a life time reference work.
Stevens, J (1987) Abundant Peace: the Biography of Morio Ueshiba Founder of Aikido. London. Shambhala.
This is an impressive and well researched work providing a detailed history of Morihei Ueshiba's early training and his involvement with the Omote Kyo sect a religious group that influenced his thinking. It also covers O Sensei Ueshiba's training in the Yagyu Ryu traditions.
Suenaka, R and Watson, C (1997) Complete Aikido. Aikido Kyohan: The Definitive Guide to the Way of Harmony
Roy Suenaka's Aikido is known as Suenaka Ha Tetsugaku Ho. Mr. Suenaka began his training in martial arts with Kempo under James Mitose in Hawaii and then Aikido under Koichi Tohei in Hawaii and the USA before being posted to Okinawa in 1961 where he effectively introduced Aikido sharing a Dojo with Fusei Kise and later meeting with and training under Hohan Sokon in the Matsumura Seiti Shorin Ryu which he still practises and teaches. Back in the USA Mr. Suenaka also shared a Dojo with Albert C Church. The history of Roy Suenaka's martial arts training is discussed in the book and there are also some good descriptions and photographs of techniques in the book.
Ueshiba, M (1996) BUDO: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido. Kodansha international
If you are specifically interested in the teachings of Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba when he was still influenced by the methods of traditional Ju Jutsu it is worth looking at the work which contains some pre-war photographs, prior to the official founding of the disciple of Aikido itself.
If you are interested in training in the art of Aikido we suggest that you contact and train within the British Aikido Federation.
A list of Aikido clubs in Essex can be found on the links page under Essex Aikido Forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Sword:
These works are mostly concerned with the history and philosophy of Japanese Swordsmanship, they are in no way instruction manuals. Sword practise without the right equipment and a well qualified and competent instructor is not only stupid but also extremely dangerous.
Friday,K F (1997) Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture. University of Hawaii Press.
This work describes the heritage and tradition of the Kashima Shin Ryu, and indicates its relationship to the Shin Kage Ryu school of Bu-Jutsu founded by Kamiizumi Nobutsana and the various other off shoots. The philosophy and science of combat is covered, as is the Martial path taken by warriors of this particular school. Although the Kashima Shin Ryu differs in some respects to the Shin Kage Ryu, Karl Friday’s book is highly recommended.
Hirose, N (1992) Immovable Wisdom: The Art of Zen Strategy: The teachings of Takuan Soho. Shaftsbury. Element Books.
This is an accessible work on the teachings and philosophy of Takuan Soho and the application of his teachings to the martial art of swordsmanship.
Kammer, R (1978) Zen and Confucianism in the art of Swordsmanship: The Tengu-geijustu-ron of Chozan Shissai. London. Routledge and Kegan Paul.
This provides useful details of the history, evolution and development of Japanese swordmanship from the four major sword schools as well as Chozan Shissai’s interpretation of Japanese swordsmanship .
Lowry, D (1985) Autumn Lightening: The Education of an American Samurai. Boston. Ma. Shambhala.
This work deals with Dave Lowry’s own experience of learning the Japanese Sword Style of Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu and gives some good indications about the history of that art as well as his own training experience.
Sato, H (1986) The Sword and the Mind. New York. Overlook Press.
This work is a translation the Heiho Kaiden Sho, the family transmitted book of swordsmanship of the Yagyu clan. It also contains some writings by Takuan Soho.
Takuan, Soho (1986) The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master. Translated by William Scott Wilson. Tokyo. Kodansha.
This work contains 3 writings namely The Mysterious Record of Immovable Wisdom, The Clear Sound of Jewels and Annals of the Sword of Taia
Yagyu, Munenori (2003) The Life-Giving Sword: Secret Teachings from the House of the Shogun. Translated by William Scott Wilson. Tokyo. Kodansha.
This is a more recent translation of the Heiho Kaiden Sho than Sato's work (above)and contains much new material including historical background.
If you are interested in learning Japanese Swordsmanship we recommend that you contact and train within the British Kendo Association.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Nihon Go Shin Kage Ryu & Hakuda Ryu Kempo Jutsu
|
| Essex |
| United Kingdom
|
| Sensei983@yahoo.com
|
|
Page Updated Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:08pm EST
|
|
|
