Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan

Secrets of the Samurai indeed lives up to its subtitle: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan. The authors knowledge of feudal Japan rich and expansive. I highly recommend this book for anyone studying in the Budo arts.

I bought this book, and wow, I was so engrossed in it that I read straight through it in a week. There is an impressive amount of information on Japan's martial history. This is a must book for any one interested in the roots of martial arts or Japan history.

I was amazed at the sheer amount of information contained in this terrific book. In addition to providing a surprisingly complete list of martial arts styles (including such rare styles as kiai jitsu) Secrets of the Samurai gives an in-depth look at the lives of not only the samurai class, but also the 'regular' residents of the era (albeit with an expected samurai-centric perspective). Don't let the terrible title fool you into thinking it's a one note book ('Secrets of the Samurai' sounds like some cheesy 70's documentary or maybe an episode of In Search Of) -- there's an unbelievable amount of information here. I bought it several years ago and still find myself often going back to read it. I still don't understand why this title has never received more prominence -- the authors did an incredible amount of research, they provide a nice amount of detail, they cover nearly every topic you could ask for -- it's far and away a better written, more concise and vastly more informative book than countless other martial arts titles available. I can't believe that you can get this book, in hardcover, for $ 9.99. Trust me, buy it, you won't be disappointed. And with the money you save, think about getting "Musashi" by Yoshikawa Eiji.

While this book cannot cover all aspects of every Ryu, it is the most comprehensive guide to the subject yet encountered by this reader. Being an all inclusive guide to Nipponese martial arts means history, backround, & extras not expected. Some information is almost too comprehensive, descriptions of armour styles and stages being one. However, I enjoy reviewing this text often and find new nuggets every time. This Senpai recommends the book without reservation. After being loaned the book for some time, I bought the first one I found.

After reading AIKIDO AND THE DYNAMIC SPHERE, by the same authors, I heard about this book. What a find! In words and images, it conveys the spirit of the ancient martial arts of Japan -- their histories, cultural impact, right down to their strategies and equipment. Part III, in particular, is magnifique!