Sword of No Sword

For a long time I was very skeptical of people's claims regarding the greatness of Yamaoka Tesshu. The issue I took was when viewed against someone like Musashi, who killed many adversaries in documented duals often with a wood sword, I couldn't see how anyone could compare such a record with someone like Tesshu who lived in a time of Samurai decline and was not a dueler. After reading this book, now I know. This is essential reading for anyone on the martial path, and you will be floored by what an amazing individual Tesshu was. Sword of No Sword is loaded with stories and anecdotes on his life, examples of his greatness, and gems of philosophy and martial wisdom. Tesshu was basically a renunciate freak of nature. He trained harder, drank harder, calligraphied harder, and was simply inhumanly productive partially because he almost never slept. I want to give a number of my favorite quotes, but I don't want to ruin the journey for anyone. However I will make this one exception: "Tesshu placed himself in formal zazen posture, bid his family and friends goodbye, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and entered eternal meditation. Some accounts said he smiled briefly just before his death. He was 53 years old." (p81) It is said Tesshu is the only person to "die in state", meaning in zazen during the 19th century. As you can probably tell The Sword of No Sword made me a passionate Tesshu fan. It is said he scripted over 1 million calligraphy's in his life. I am fortunate to have acquired one. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!!

I bought this book used at the recomendation of my sensei. Mine is a tattered copy and I treasure it. I was suspect about buying it initially because I'm not a great fan of John Stevens' work in general he's good but tends to be a bit diefying. But that was not the case with this book I've re-read it so many times that it is truely in tatters...so I am happy to see it has been re printed. I will buy I hope you do to.

This is not a detailed biogtaphy, nevertheless, the author gives you a good overview of Yamaoka Tesshu's life. Yamaoka lived during a time when Japan was moving toward industrialization, and we get a glimpse of key historical moments during the transition.There are numerous accounts that give insight to Yamaoka's mindset and character. Thus, no matter what art the individual reader may practice, Yamaoka's approach to training will reinforce the ideals of the serious-minded.Unlike other books where certain martial arts figures are ridiculously protrayed like gods, Steven's book has humorous stories and Tesshu comes across like a normal human being who achieved everything throigh his diligent search and practice. The book's strong point...it inspires hard training.

It is a shame that this book is out of print. I regard its appearance before me in an old used bookshop in Florida as a great gift. After reading it I felt compelled to write down a few of its more inspiring passages ... and ended up with a four-page document! Inspiring, and entertaining too. Stevens' account of the life of Tesshu is flavored with scholarship and love. Good luck finding it.

Although this book is difficult to find, it is one of the best books Professor Stevens has ever produced in his prolific 20 years as an author. If you can find a copy, it is a sensitive and insightful look into the world of Zen, Calligraphy, and Sword Master Tesshu.