Armed Martial Arts of Japan: Swordsmanship and Archery

by G. Cameron Hurst III

This unique history of Japanese armed martial arts―the only comprehensive treatment of the subject in English―focuses on traditions of swordsmanship and archery from ancient times to the present. G. Cameron Hurst III provides an overview of martial arts in Japanese history and culture, then closely examines the transformation of these fighting skills into sports. He discusses the influence of the Western athletic tradition on the armed martial arts as well as the ways the martial arts have remained distinctly Japanese.

During the Tokugawa era (1600-1867), swordsmanship and archery developed from fighting systems into martial arts, transformed by the powerful social forces of peace, urbanization, literacy, and professionalized instruction in art forms. Hurst investigates the changes that occurred as military skills that were no longer necessary took on new physical fitness, spiritual composure, character development, and sport. He also considers Western misperceptions of Japanese traditional martial arts and argues that, contrary to common views in the West, Zen Buddhism is associated with the martial arts in only a limited way. The author concludes by exploring the modern organization, teaching, ritual, and philosophy of archery and swordsmanship; relating these martial arts to other art forms and placing them in the broader context of Japanese culture.

Genres: Martial Arts, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 1998

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific look at the history of swordsmanship and archery through Japanese history, explaining how the contingencies of each historical moment changed the practice and social significance of swinging a sword or launching an arrow. Hurst hammers on the fact that the Buddhist/Zen underpinnings of martial arts are overemphasized, especially in the West. As evidence, he quotes Lord Tokitaka on being coached to fire an arquebus (musket of sorts) by a Portuguese in 1542. Tokitaka listens to the advice and repeats it in the same sort of Taoist/Buddhist language that was being applied to martial arts training. Hurst’s point is that it was not traditional martial arts that inspired the language, but rather the language being the only one available for explaining things like calmness and concentration.

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful articulation of the evolution of swordsmanship and archery from combat skills to exercises/arts to sports. More nuanced than the do v. jutsu dichotomy that prevails, and Hurst makes a compelling argument that the influence of Zen in Japanese martial arts is overstated/a comparatively recent juxtaposition. A bit vocabulary-heavy in some instances, but with some great stories along the way (the feats of toshiya excellence were particularly memorable to me).

[Antonio Bustillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your average book on he subject. The author has done extensive research and there is in-depth information to study. It is one of the best I've read on the history and development of Japanese swordsmanship, and archery.