Lost Samurai School: Secrets of Mubyoshi Ryu by Antony Cummins, MA

$39.99 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

Available for the first time in English, this book is both an illustrated samurai arts manual and a groundbreaking historical account of the teachings of a Japanese samurai who formed a school known as Mubyoshi Ryu in the 1600s. Abundantly illustrated with more than 350 images representing the practices of Mubyoshi Ryu, "The Lost Samurai School"collects and translates ancient documents that contain the instructions of founding master Hagiwara Juzo, revealing the enthralling martial arts, secret weapons, magic, and espionage as they were practiced by samurai in their daily lives. The scrolls contain fascinating descriptions of civilian samurai skills, which concentrate more on personal protection than battlefield warfare, including thefull ninja curriculumandelementsof esoteric magic. Antony Cummins contextualizes the many expertly translated documents with a history of the era, the school, and its grandmaster. The illustrations bring to life the skills required to master everything from j jutsu, to shuriken-jutsu (throwing blades), to swords, to chain weapons, tothe quarterstaff."The Lost Samurai School" is a journey into the past that will preserve such skills for the future." ...Show more

Secrets from the Ninja Grandmaster by Stephen K. Hayes

$0.00 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

This is a collection of heart-to-heart lessons from ninja grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi to his senior student and first American disciple, Stephen K Hayes. When this book was first published in 1987, Western martial artists could learn for the first time what the grandmaster himself had to say about the e ssence of warrior training that emphasised real-world battlefield fighting methods (jissen-gata) -- from the use of weapons to ninja invisibility to kuji warrior spirituality -- as opposed to art or sport. This important volume is now available once again through Paladin Press, with new introductions by both authors, an all-new epilogue entitled Twelve Years Later and a techniques section that illustrates various classical ninja fighting defences. This is an incredibly valuable book for every martial artist who has ever wanted to go beyond the stereotypical images of the ninja sensationalised in action-adventure movies and gain access to the true secrets of the ninja grandmaster. ...Show more

Art of Peace - Pocket Edition by Morihei Ueshiba

$18.95 NZD

Category: Martial Arts | Series: Shambhala Pocket Classics

New York Times Bestseller These inspirational teachings show that the real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature. Drawn from the talks and writings of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the popular Japanese martial art known as Aikido, The Art of Peace, presented here in a pocket-sized edition, offers a nonviolent way to victory and a convincing counterpoint to such classics as Musashi's Book of Five Rings and Sun Tzu's Art of War. ...Show more

The Fundamentals of Pakua Chang by Park Bok Nam & Dan Miller

$46.95 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

The Method of Lu Shui-T Ien as Taught by Park Bok Nam Pa Kua Chang is one of China's foremost internal martial arts, based on the pa kua or eight trigram symbol. In this book, world renowned pa kua chang master Park Bok Nam describes in detail the various components of pa kua chang's basic training a s it was taught to him by the legendary master, Lu Shui-Tien. This book presents exercises which will help any martial artist improve footwork, body flexibility, internal energy circulation, and internal striking power. ...Show more

Essence of Budo: Secret Teachings ... by Matsaaki Hatsumi

$79.99 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

Budo is the spiritual way of the martial arts that all practitioners must follow if they are to be true martial artists. In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi explores the very essence of Budo, and demonstrates an array of important techniques relating to this essence, explaining how the concept of Budo transce nds any one combat technique and is at the core of all the many martial arts developed in Japan. The author also reveals secret techniques and the hidden principles of the martial arts, and elucidates the words of his master, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, on Budo and life. Including many photos, works of calligraphy, illustrations, and documents on the martial arts and their role in Japanese culture, The Essence of Budo will resonate with practitioners of all martial traditions including judo, Aikido, karatedo, kendo, kenjutsu, jujutsu, and other fighting sports. ...Show more

Flashing Steel : Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship by Leonard J. Pellman

$59.95 NZD

$75.95 (21% off)

Category: Martial Arts

This book is much more than an introductory guide to Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu. It manages to emphasize a melding of the Eastern philosophy and the technique of the art, in a marvelously eloquent yet concise manner. Flashing Steel describes and pictures forty-two kata (formal training patterns) w hich govern this system, with ten partner exercises applying iadidõ principles in realistic attack and defense systems. These kata are also widely practiced by students of kendo, aikido, and other martial arts which use swordsmanship. ...Show more

Best Aikido by Kisshomaru

$79.95 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

A complete and authoritative introduction to all the fundamentals of Aikido, co-authored by the two direct successors to the founder of the martial art, Morihei Ueshiba. This is the quintessential training aid for all Aikido practitioners who wish to further their understanding of the forms and spiri t of Aikido. ...Show more

Code of the Samurai (A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke by Thomas Cleary; Oscar Ratti (Illustrator)

$32.00 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

Learn the ways of the Japanese Bushido Code with this very readable, modern translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu.   Code of the Samurai is a four-hundred-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido, the Japanese Way of the Warrior. Bushido has played a significant role in s haping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in developing modern Japanese martial arts within Japan and internationally.   The Japanese original of this book, Bushido Shoshinshu, (Bushido for Beginners), has been one of the primary sources on the tenets of Bushido, a way of thought that remains fascinating and relevant to the modern world, East and West. This handbook, written after five hundred years of military rule in Japan, was composed to provide practical and moral instruction for warriors, correcting wayward tendencies and outlining the personal, social, and professional standards of conduct characteristic of Bushido, the Japanese chivalric tradition.   With a bright, conversational narrative by Thomas Clear, y and powerfully evocative line drawings by master illustrator Oscar Ratti, this book is indispensable to corporate executives, students of Asian Culture, martial artists, or anyone sincerely interested in Japan and its people. ...Show more

From Lee to Li: An A-Z Guide of Martial Arts Heroes by Ben Stevens

$29.00 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

An A-Z guide to martial arts heroesWho gave Bruce Lee advice on kicking and taught Muhammad Ali how to punch? Which Welshman is revered in Japan as a karate expert, novelist and environmentalist? On which film did Jackie Chan fracture his skull and almost lose his life? All these questions and more are answered in From Lee To Li. Ben Stevens, a lifelong martial arts fan, has compiled a quirky and informative guide to the giants of martial arts history. From Bruce Lee to Jet Li, from Neil Adams to Donnie Yen with Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, Tony Jaa, Brian Jacks and plenty more in between. Covering popular forms such as judo and kung fu right through to lesser-known arts like hapkido and iaido, From Lee To Li is a guide for enthusiasts of martial arts sports and kung fu movies alike and is probably the only A-Z to feature monks alongside movie stars and Olympic athletes. ...Show more

Competitive Judo by Ron Angus

$45.00 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

Judo is known as the gentle martial art, but when two judokas square off, the action is fast and furious. Yet the art and sport forms of judo both require great control and swiftness. Indeed, a key to greatness in the sport is the ability to use an opponent

The Complete NinjaThe Secret World Revealed by Masaaki Hatsumi

$69.99 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

The ninja were the true embodiment of budo, the warrior spirit. Rather than using techniques of assassination to protect themselves, ninja relied on their senses, and on an acute awareness of their natural surroundings, In fact, ninja avoided unnecessary conflict, and used weapons such as knives and swo rds only as a last resort. These are the true techniques of ninjutsu, and the art in which the ninja unrelentingly trained. In The Complete Ninja: The Secret World Revealed, Masaaki Hatsumi, the world's most renowned ninja grandmaster and top budo master, creates a companion volume to his bestselling The Way of the Ninja. Like the earlier work, The Complete Ninja features hundreds of historical illustrations, documents, and photos (including many of the author demonstrating techniques) to explore the essence and wisdom of ninjutsu and reveal its hidden truths. The Complete Ninja will help readers sharpen their perceptions and deepen their understanding of two core principles: that ninjutsu is the very backbone of the martial arts, and that it clarifies their essential spiritual significance. Since budo transcends any one particular martial tradition, all practitioners, whether they study judo, aikido, karate, kendo, kenjutsu, jujutsu, or other combative sports, will find the book fascinating and enlightening. ...Show more

STEP BY STEP TAI CHI by Master Lam Kam-Chuen

$49.95 NZD

Category: Martial Arts

Tone your body, relax your mind. Whatever your level of fitness, Step-by-Step Tai Chi offers a simple but effective program of exercise and stress reduction, based on the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi. In addition to learning the fundamentals of Tai Chi through his carefully designed four-level progra m, Master Lam Kam Chuen will introduce you to Small Circle Form Tai Chi, an original method he has developed--based on classical Tai Chi styles--requiring a minimum of time and space. Step-by-Step Tai Chi features: * Detailed and easy-to-follow instruction for the basic movements of Tai Chi, plus Small Circle Form, complete with color illustrations that will guide you through every movement * Specially selected exercises to help you build up strength, flexibility, and stamina in the muscles and joints of your upper and lower body * Simple routines that you can perform in half an hour or less, with no previous experience, special clothing, or equipment required * An ideal foundation if you wish to study advanced forms of Tai Chi Whether you are looking for a way to reduce stress or a new way to exercise, Step-by-Step Tai Chi will keep you fit--inside and out. ...Show more