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Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts
A no-nonsense guide to the mind-body training necessary for budo, the study of traditional Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation—from a sixth-degree black belt and iaido teacher
Budo is about learning more than how to fight; true budo is a way of seeking and uncovering meaning in life. Here, Nicklaus Suino, one of the leading iaido teachers in North America, gives expert advice on how to get the most from training in traditional Japanese martial arts such as iaido, kendo, aikido, judo, kyudo, and karate-do. He reveals the essential components of budo training, including how to:
• determine the principles behind techniques
• develop physical strength, technical strength and strength of character
• discipline your mind to really focus and be in the present moment
Budo is about learning more than how to fight; true budo is a way of seeking and uncovering meaning in life. Here, Nicklaus Suino, one of the leading iaido teachers in North America, gives expert advice on how to get the most from training in traditional Japanese martial arts such as iaido, kendo, aikido, judo, kyudo, and karate-do. He reveals the essential components of budo training, including how to:
• determine the principles behind techniques
• develop physical strength, technical strength and strength of character
• discipline your mind to really focus and be in the present moment
159 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 7, 2021
This was disappointing.
The author starts out with legends about Tesshu, Musashi, Ueshiba and others. We’re expected to believe that an old Ueshiba could throw a man using only his finger, and that Tesshu and Yamaoka’s claims nobody in the world could defeat them were anything but unfalsifiable boasts. There is a cult like mentality surrounding some of these now dead instructors. I’m tired of naive credulity that feeds on hype.
And while claiming legitimacy for “the fantastic skills of the greatest masters” (his words), he is skeptical of the abilities of modern practitioners as he doesn’t believe they have achieved “pure spirit”. He has no grounds for either claim, and to my mind never will.
Then it’s on to the usual fare of martial admonitions to practice unceasingly and with correct form. No kidding? We needed to know that? But how far does one need to take it?
We get the observation that great Japanese instructors taught with a high level of skill well into old age because they maintained themselves. Never once are we asked to consider the culture might not accept the instructor gimped by repetitive stress injuries or the arthritis brought by training those obsessively sought thousands of repetitions expected of the student. How many otherwise excellent instructors were sidelined because of a bad fall or osteoarthritis that led to the undeserved shame of lost capacity? How many students? This is an art born in Japan, where archaic Bushido notions of “triumph of the will” immolated millions of Japanese in the 1940’s. Modern sport science on Wolfe’s Law and the ills of overtraining seem to be sneered at.
There is so much here that is not new, and much of it could have been gleaned from the brochure of a martial arts school in the American midwest. At one point it occurred to me that this was a self help manual. We get the old proposition that the training brings discipline and focus, without considering those practitioners that are already innately disciplined and focused excel, giving us a skewed perspective. There are selection pressures in the martial arts. Natural temperaments and physiological gifts thrive in certain environments.
At one point the author makes a critique of what he calls “beerhall budomen”. He points out these are martial artists with the patches on their uniforms and whose walls are covered with certifications. While I understand his criticism and agree with it, it strikes me that the more austere practitioners of traditional budo aren’t guiltless.
I’m reminded of a story told of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, of which there are many versions. I offer this one:
When a group of young Sybarites entered the Athenian assembly dressed in their jewels and finery, Diogenes shouted “Affectation!” A bit later when residents of Croton, known for their ascetic lifestyles, showed up in filthy rags, Diogenes loudly exclaimed, “More affectation!”
Is not as if the author doesn’t have some valid and astute observations. He does. This isn’t wisdom born of budo...it’s experience gained from time on a mat. A non-traditional martial artist would gain the same insights.
Fully one third of the book consists of appendices, the bibliography, and resources. Here we find recommendations for books that teach or promote the idea for that there are supernatural techniques.
I can do without that. And I can do without this book...which I promise I shall do without shortly.
The author starts out with legends about Tesshu, Musashi, Ueshiba and others. We’re expected to believe that an old Ueshiba could throw a man using only his finger, and that Tesshu and Yamaoka’s claims nobody in the world could defeat them were anything but unfalsifiable boasts. There is a cult like mentality surrounding some of these now dead instructors. I’m tired of naive credulity that feeds on hype.
And while claiming legitimacy for “the fantastic skills of the greatest masters” (his words), he is skeptical of the abilities of modern practitioners as he doesn’t believe they have achieved “pure spirit”. He has no grounds for either claim, and to my mind never will.
Then it’s on to the usual fare of martial admonitions to practice unceasingly and with correct form. No kidding? We needed to know that? But how far does one need to take it?
We get the observation that great Japanese instructors taught with a high level of skill well into old age because they maintained themselves. Never once are we asked to consider the culture might not accept the instructor gimped by repetitive stress injuries or the arthritis brought by training those obsessively sought thousands of repetitions expected of the student. How many otherwise excellent instructors were sidelined because of a bad fall or osteoarthritis that led to the undeserved shame of lost capacity? How many students? This is an art born in Japan, where archaic Bushido notions of “triumph of the will” immolated millions of Japanese in the 1940’s. Modern sport science on Wolfe’s Law and the ills of overtraining seem to be sneered at.
There is so much here that is not new, and much of it could have been gleaned from the brochure of a martial arts school in the American midwest. At one point it occurred to me that this was a self help manual. We get the old proposition that the training brings discipline and focus, without considering those practitioners that are already innately disciplined and focused excel, giving us a skewed perspective. There are selection pressures in the martial arts. Natural temperaments and physiological gifts thrive in certain environments.
At one point the author makes a critique of what he calls “beerhall budomen”. He points out these are martial artists with the patches on their uniforms and whose walls are covered with certifications. While I understand his criticism and agree with it, it strikes me that the more austere practitioners of traditional budo aren’t guiltless.
I’m reminded of a story told of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, of which there are many versions. I offer this one:
When a group of young Sybarites entered the Athenian assembly dressed in their jewels and finery, Diogenes shouted “Affectation!” A bit later when residents of Croton, known for their ascetic lifestyles, showed up in filthy rags, Diogenes loudly exclaimed, “More affectation!”
Is not as if the author doesn’t have some valid and astute observations. He does. This isn’t wisdom born of budo...it’s experience gained from time on a mat. A non-traditional martial artist would gain the same insights.
Fully one third of the book consists of appendices, the bibliography, and resources. Here we find recommendations for books that teach or promote the idea for that there are supernatural techniques.
I can do without that. And I can do without this book...which I promise I shall do without shortly.
February 8, 2020
Good if stilted view of budo
A bit outdated in some aspects and viewpoints.
Still a useful read for students of martial arts and budo i think.
A bit outdated in some aspects and viewpoints.
Still a useful read for students of martial arts and budo i think.
February 28, 2017
Budo made accessible
This book presents some excellent ideas applicable martial arts and to every day life in a clear and readable fashion.
This book presents some excellent ideas applicable martial arts and to every day life in a clear and readable fashion.
July 1, 2014
Budo Mind and Body, should be included in any martial artist library list. Though not a how to book in the true sense, it is however one designed to aid in selecting a discipline.
The book outlines what it means to be a a man of budo other than the ones who wear patches, titles and can tell you how great they are.
Practicing true budo is not in defeating your opponent as yourself. The daily training hard and vigorous though that changes with age, time, and level of expertise. It explains very well the rule of the white belt, and though many of the ideas and concepts pertain to budo they carry over into our everyday lives, this is what training in budo is about.
The book outlines what it means to be a a man of budo other than the ones who wear patches, titles and can tell you how great they are.
Practicing true budo is not in defeating your opponent as yourself. The daily training hard and vigorous though that changes with age, time, and level of expertise. It explains very well the rule of the white belt, and though many of the ideas and concepts pertain to budo they carry over into our everyday lives, this is what training in budo is about.
March 27, 2016
This book is a most read and own for any budo practicioner.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews