Peter Lewis (2)

from cover

To know the outcome look to the root, study the past to know the future.

Each discipline of the martial arts-karate, kung fu, judo, aikido, sumo-is at its most developed point a philosophy as much as a code of war. Like any other culture, each martial art has its founding myths, defining acts and heroes; stories that tell of an art's origins and make sense of its underlying prinicples. some of these legends are based on real events while others are told with a voice whose source is lost in the mists of time. However, the real truth lies in their poetic wisdom. These short parables, as diverse as the martial arts themselves, tell colorful tales of cowardice and valour, pride and humility, foolishness and wisdom, heroes and villains culled from the bloody history of the east. Each is a jewel of enlightened wisdom, offering insight and delectation to students of the martial arts and lovers of eastern wisdom.

Contents

Introduction
The Nature of a Man
The Master Swordsman
Painting Legs on a Snake
The Shaoliin Temple
The Karate Man and the Tiger
Five Against One
The Waiter and the Seaman
Beautiful Springtime
Iron Belly Shang
The Master of Strategy
Stick versus Sword
The Rebel Monk
The Bok Hok Pai Test of Courage
The Death Touch
The Drunken Boxer
The Teamaster and the Samurai
The Chi Gung Breath of LIfe
The Death of a Legend
Beaten by a Novice
King of the Tai Boxers
The Flower of Youth
The Journey of 1000 Miles
The Secret Champion
A Lesson in Humility
Look Beyond the Target
The Fight of No Fight Style
The Forty-Seven Ronin
The First Sumo
What's in a Name?
Patience is the Key
The River Workers' Lunch
The Deadliest Man on Earth
Empty Hands versus the Yakuza
The Black Assassins
When the Buddha Called
The Leaping Leopard
The Northern Mantis
The Great Thief
Fist of the North Wind
Ninja versus Ninja
The Overflowing Cup
The Invincible Warrior
Daddy's Scissors
David and Goliath Japanese Style
Committed to Death
The Herbalist
That Which is Useless is Everything
The Runaway Bull
Attack on the Bridge
Petals of Death
The Invisible Hand
The Gentle Way
The Peasants Against an Empire
Grand Ultimate Fist
Sul Sa
Jam Pon Ken
The Unseen Fan
The Shaolin Legacy
Master of Shuriken
The Deceptive Arrows
The Strategy of War
The Kung Fu Fisherman
Epilogue… (más)

The spread of popularity of he martial arts in the western world has been a phenomenon of the seventies and eighties. Ever since Bruce Lee hit the international screen, young people have been going through their paces in the kwoon or dojo learning the ancient, once-secret arts of the Chinese Shaolin monks or the Japanese samurai.

Now the opportunities for training in the multitude of styles are so widespread and varied that the novice is at a complete loss to know where to begin. Which of the arts is the best to choose? What does the training consist of? What will the practical applications be in street situations where self-defense might save a life?

This book sets out not only to describe the styles and techniques of martial arts the world over, but also to investigate their origins and recount the remarkable legends surrounding their many heroes. It is impossible to delve into such material without examining Oriental religions and philosophy; Peter Lewis shows how these aspects of marital arts help to make their practitioners not just skillful technicians, but people who can face everyday life with new-found insight and confidence.

This is the book for everyone who wishes to know more about the ways of the martial arts, not just in China and Japan, but in Korea, India, Russia, France and even Brazil. It ranges from the aggressive blows of karate, to the yielding principles of aikido, the stealthy craft of ninjutsu and the staggering leaps and kicks of taekwon-do. Illustrated with over 250 photographs, every aspiring martial artist will find a wealth of interest within these pages.

Peter Lewis first became interested in the martial arts some 20 years ago when he took up karate. He gained his black belt in the Wado-ryu style and also studied kung fu. He now practices tai chi chuan and has developed a special interest in Oriental philosophy.

In his capacity as a photographer, he has five technical books on the martial arts to his credit. He is also the author of the successful Martial arts of the Orient, and currently acts as the editorial consultant of Fighters magazine.

His busy schedule as a photo-journalist has brought him into contact with many of the world's leading masters, and in 1984 he was honored by the Dublin fraternity who awarded him a special plaque for his services to the martial arts.

Kung fu, tai chi chuan, karate, kendo, iaido, kyudo, naginata, nunchaku, jodo, aikido, jiu-jitsu, judo, kempo, sumo wrestling, ninjutsu, taekwon-do, hapkido, thai boxing, bando, bersilat, capoiera, kali, escrima, sambo wrestling, kalaripayit, la savate.

Contents

Introduction
The martial legacy of China
The popular kung fu styles
Karate-Okinawan hand
The weapon arts of Japan
Japanese unarmed defence systems
The ninja
The martial arts of Korea
The world of martial arts
Glossary
Index… (más)