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Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense
Step-by-step instructions and over 300 photographs allow the trainee to follow and learn the techniques with ease.
The ideal weapon for self-defense is a stick. To find a comprehensive system of techniques using the stick, we must turn to the East, for systems known to the West have fallen into disuse. In this book, the techniques of Kukishin Ryu-an ancient Japanese method-have been updated and adapted for use
today. A thorough grounding in the fundamentals dealt with here will enable you to disarm and control any assailant.
CONTENTS
Section 1: Basic Movements
Section 2: Techniques against First Attack
Section 3: Techniques against Foot Attacks
Section 4: Techniques against Wrist Holding
Section 5: Techniques against Sleeve and Lapel Holding
Section 6: Techniques against Seizure from Behind
Section 7: Techniques against Stick Holding
Section 8: Immobilizations
The ideal weapon for self-defense is a stick. To find a comprehensive system of techniques using the stick, we must turn to the East, for systems known to the West have fallen into disuse. In this book, the techniques of Kukishin Ryu-an ancient Japanese method-have been updated and adapted for use
today. A thorough grounding in the fundamentals dealt with here will enable you to disarm and control any assailant.
CONTENTS
Section 1: Basic Movements
Section 2: Techniques against First Attack
Section 3: Techniques against Foot Attacks
Section 4: Techniques against Wrist Holding
Section 5: Techniques against Sleeve and Lapel Holding
Section 6: Techniques against Seizure from Behind
Section 7: Techniques against Stick Holding
Section 8: Immobilizations
147 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 1981
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296 people want to read
About the author
Masaaki Hatsumi
71 books53 followersFormerly Yoshiaki Hatsumi, is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization and is the former Togakure-ryū Soke (Grandmaster). He currently resides and teaches in Noda, Chiba, Japan.
Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba on December 2, 1931. He heavily participated in sports during his school years, along with martial arts and theater, including becoming "captain of the football team". While attending the Meiji University, he continued learning judo and eventually rose to Yudansha or Dan rank. He also began teaching Judo during his time at the university to American soldiers at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi began to search for a teacher to further his study of martial arts. He began his Kobudo training under Ueno Chosui. When he was 26 he met Ueno's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia". Hatsumi was accepted as Takamatsu's student and spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, also he continued to learn judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo.
Takamatsu died in Nara, Japan in 1972 after advancing Hatsumi from student to Soke and bestowing on him "all the art of the nine schools", and of course the grandmaster's scrolls, three of which he indicated were ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools of martial arts. Hatsumi went on to found the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan to teach the nine schools to other students. His first trip to the United States was in 1982 and he has since continued to participate in yearly ninjutsu Tai Kai (gathering) around the world.
Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter after his graduation and was chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan at one point in time. He was the writer of a martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was "distributed in 18 countries.
Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba on December 2, 1931. He heavily participated in sports during his school years, along with martial arts and theater, including becoming "captain of the football team". While attending the Meiji University, he continued learning judo and eventually rose to Yudansha or Dan rank. He also began teaching Judo during his time at the university to American soldiers at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi began to search for a teacher to further his study of martial arts. He began his Kobudo training under Ueno Chosui. When he was 26 he met Ueno's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia". Hatsumi was accepted as Takamatsu's student and spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, also he continued to learn judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo.
Takamatsu died in Nara, Japan in 1972 after advancing Hatsumi from student to Soke and bestowing on him "all the art of the nine schools", and of course the grandmaster's scrolls, three of which he indicated were ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools of martial arts. Hatsumi went on to found the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan to teach the nine schools to other students. His first trip to the United States was in 1982 and he has since continued to participate in yearly ninjutsu Tai Kai (gathering) around the world.
Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter after his graduation and was chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan at one point in time. He was the writer of a martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was "distributed in 18 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 5, 2022
'Stick Fighting' is a rare and early Masaaki Hatsumi book (from 1971) which is simply applied martial arts material. It's a handy work, featuring a compendium of demonstrations using concepts from Kukishin Ryu (a classical school of Japanese martial arts), accompanied by detailed visual instructions which often helpfully break down the foot work of the given example.
The layout is clear and without errors, while Quentin Chambers' translated text is smart and practical. An intermediate-to-advanced martial artist with experience in adjacent techniques should be able to explore and synthesize new ideas behind the material within, while teaching beginners to successfully apply some portions of it as well. Martial artists typically skeptical of Hatsumi or the later ninjutsu era should still look into this one.
It's worth mentioning for context: the drills demonstrated are done in the formal koryu style, without the resistance of live training. Training the concepts with live resistance or improvisation is obviously mandatory. In many classical systems, this approach is left implied or to be developed further by students additionally. In general, this is what Hatsumi's later Bujinkan system is doing as well: the training and drills are like classical martial arts' demonstrations of form applications from Karate systems, or the applications of the form practices developed within Chinese martial arts like Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Bajiquan, etc. Martial applications of movements from a form are obviously not at all the same as practicing against resistant partners, as improvised variations during attribute or combative partner drills, or full-contact improvised sparring using any amount of speed or power. This stuff is implied.
4.5
The layout is clear and without errors, while Quentin Chambers' translated text is smart and practical. An intermediate-to-advanced martial artist with experience in adjacent techniques should be able to explore and synthesize new ideas behind the material within, while teaching beginners to successfully apply some portions of it as well. Martial artists typically skeptical of Hatsumi or the later ninjutsu era should still look into this one.
It's worth mentioning for context: the drills demonstrated are done in the formal koryu style, without the resistance of live training. Training the concepts with live resistance or improvisation is obviously mandatory. In many classical systems, this approach is left implied or to be developed further by students additionally. In general, this is what Hatsumi's later Bujinkan system is doing as well: the training and drills are like classical martial arts' demonstrations of form applications from Karate systems, or the applications of the form practices developed within Chinese martial arts like Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Bajiquan, etc. Martial applications of movements from a form are obviously not at all the same as practicing against resistant partners, as improvised variations during attribute or combative partner drills, or full-contact improvised sparring using any amount of speed or power. This stuff is implied.
4.5
November 19, 2011
Still referring back to it. So much to learn!
June 13, 2019
While this book offers a comprehensive and thorough explanation of how to use sticks for joint-locking, they all seem to require a highly compliant partner. It's a good book, but I question its practical value.
May 22, 2019
A solid read with clear instructions. I just wish there was more.
November 12, 2013
The authors discuss the basic moves of Japanese stick fighting in a simple, well-illustrated work. I might add that I do not believe that arts such as this one is entirely learnable from a book alone. This book should be used as a guide for one involved in active practice, teaching, or for one, like myself, wanting to learn more about a particular martial art. It is easy to read and short. Thoroughly enjoyable.
June 22, 2019
Mostly a picture book illustrating tons of techniques using the hanbo (half staff, commonly 3 feet long).
I do wish there was more written content in this book, and though the back flap labels these techniques as coming from the Kukishinden-ryu, it doesn't seem to be the case; I honestly don't know where they're coming from.
I do wish there was more written content in this book, and though the back flap labels these techniques as coming from the Kukishinden-ryu, it doesn't seem to be the case; I honestly don't know where they're coming from.
November 25, 2007
Best book covering a range of moves and types of sticks.
September 27, 2010
very submission
November 14, 2011
one of the better published books on bojutsu. good selection of throws from different angles, and sequences that build off of each other nicely.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews