The Heart of Kendo

This interesting text about kendo is also available in hardback (or at least was, at one time). So be sure to read the reviews of the same material under the separate hardback listing. The stories are inspiring, the text helpful. This is the most beautiful book I've ever seen devoted to a martial art.

Authoritatively written by Darrell Max Craig (a Japanese sword and ritual expert with black belts in ten martial arts, and who has earned the title of Shihan or "master teacher" in Japan), The Heart Of Kendo: A Comprehensive Introduction To The Philosophy And Practice Of The Art Of The Sword is an informed and informative guide to the Japanese discipline of the sword, starting with the basics of the equipment and its care and then moving on to the spiritual virtues of respect and restraint; exercises, grips, stances, strikes, positioning; seven long-sword forms (kata) that form the foundation of kendo practice; and more. An excellent introduction and resource to the physical and spiritual depth of this challenging martial art, The Heart Of Kendo is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic Martial Arts reference collections.

As a person who has practiced Kendo and Iaido for almost twenty years, I judge The Heart of Kendo to be one of the best martial arts books ever written. One of the serious challenges any author in the martial arts field faces, is the need to convey concepts and ideas in a manner that provides guidance for the beginner and the experienced practioner. Craig Sensei meets that challenge. The Heart of Kendo is the type of martial arts book that will appeal to persons who are seriously studying a traditional Budo and to those who are just beginning their journey on this path.As one of Craig Sensei's students, I can vouch for the amount of work and many hours that were spent by Craig Sensei writing and rewriting the book's text. The section of the book containing some of Craig Sensei's many conversations with Chiba Harutane Sensei is absolutely priceless and conveys a sense of the connection between our modern society and Kendo as it was taught to Chiba Sensei by his father in an almost feudal atmosphere.I sincerely recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn and understand more about the practice, and daily application in the real world, of a traditional Japanese martial art.

& #65279;I am a former (16 year) student of Craig Sensei in judo and taiho-jutsu. Craig Sensei, in my biased by humble opinion, is one of the true great Western master of traditional Japanese martial arts and ways, advanced holding rankings in kendo, judo, karate-do, jodo, aikido, jujutsu, and kobudo. Craig Sensei is of that disappearing breed of true, dedicated martial artists which were forged in the post WWII occupation of Japan. Craig Sensei, and other teachers with whom I have been fortunate to be acquainted with, who received their martial training in Japan at the beginning of the cold war, were unique men at a unique time. The conditions rarely exist to produce professional exponents of this caliber anymore.I am not ranked in the art of Kendo but have seen it practiced at the Budokan and other dojo. For years, I have seen Craig Sensei give demonstrations in various arts, but his Kendo is unique among them. I believe his understanding of the spiritual, mental and physical requirements for expert Kendo are unparalleled, certainly compared to most Western teachers.I have read Heart of Kendo. It is very well written and organized. His anecdotal experiences with Chiba Sensei are worth the price of the book alone. I have several other books on Kendo and can recommend, wholeheartedly, that this should be one on your shelf also. It is an excellent reference for both the beginning and intermediate student. Advanced exponents will find it useful as both a resource and a refresher or new approach to their own practice. The Heart of Kendo reflects the heart of a true master practitioner.

While there are other books going in to more detail of shinai kendo (e.g. "Kendo : The Definitive Guide" by Hiroshi Ozawa), this book offers a deeper view of the philosophical aspects of kendo. Almost the entire second half of this book is dedicated to kendo kata. The illustrations and diagrams are clear, and the accompanying text describes the more delicate details, making it a great reference for this part of kendo.