Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways

The goals of the budo -- the martial arts and ways of Japan lie in refining the body and spirit. These goals are not always the obvious ones -- and are learned only through the guidance and direction of great teachers.

The techniques, methods, and rituals of the sensei can serve as guides to a well-lived life -- and provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists. This collection of essays includes discussions of:

The spirit of ryomi, the process of self-evaluation and improvement -- as illustrated in the story of Kaofujita, a master swordsman who never stopped practicing the first movement he learned.

The importance of yuyo -- the distance where an attacker must focus his strike -- from the story of Jubei, where his mastery and control of yuyo determined his victory.

The significance of ma -- the space in time between successive attacks or between a defense and a counter -- through the story of Yamada Shinryukan, whose exploitation of ma led him to his death.

With its focus on traditional martial arts, and fascinating stories that illustrate