Being Driven: A Study on Human Adoption and Ownership of Autonomous Vehicles

by C W Nicol, Frederic John

Moving Zen Karate as a Way to Gentleness by C.W. Nicol. Dell Publishing Co., Inc, New York NY.

Genres: Martial Arts

152 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1981

Reviews

[Lance Schonberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a bit of a flavour here of the old trope of “white boy moves to Asian country and becomes martial arts expert in record time”, but looking beyond that, the insights and anecdotes from the author’s time training in Japan in the early 1960s provide some very interesting information in martial arts training, practice, and attitudes of the time. These are very easy to contrast with what are, even now, too-frequent Western clichés of the martial arts world.

And there are a few philosophical gems here. My favourites:

“…all of the martial arts, led to the same goal. Tranquility.” Pg 49

“…often in Western nations gentleness and politeness can be misunderstood as weakness.” Pg 75

“Humility is an essential characteristic of the true warrior. Without it he has no place in society.” Pg 110

“Between simple knowledge of a thing and mastery of that thing there is a wide gap.” Pg 143.

This last is in reference to continuing to practice and refine the basic kata, no matter how advanced the student, something that strikes well with me.

Overall, this is a quick and easy read, almost deceptively. Make sure you stop to smell the pizza once in a while.

[Bassaidai88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I thought it might be and more. The prose of the author flows along with insights and anecdotes into the martial arts circa the 1960s Japan. I was so drawn into the story of Nicol's time in Japan that I finished the book in one day. I would highly recommend this book to any student of the martial arts and those with an interest in Zen and Japanese philosophy. One touching story took place at a small village outside of Tokyo. The author remarked that they largely escaped the firebombing of Tokyo. The villagers stated that a B-29 with full bomb load crashed, took down several buildings and left a crater that was still visible. The author found the crater and nearby was a small, meticulously kept shrine. The villager explained that they placed the bodies of the air crew there and built the shrine. They kept it neat and tidy. I'll probably read it again before I return it to the library.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked reading Moving Zen because of Mr. Nicol's story telling writing and likeable personality. As I read the book, although it took place in a country I have never been, in a time before I was born, I felt very connected to the world he was in. I really like the way the author feels about changing his whole life for karate. It is almost romantic in a way that I feel a little bit while at karate camp. Also I appreciate the way his struggling with emotions such as anger and pride were incorporated into the book.

[Lourens Scholing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like long-form, impressionistic journalism. Slightly unbalanced and the mumbo-jumbo (yes, Japan) can be grating. The illustrations were a nice touch.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Thoroughly enjoyed his story! Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of training in two arts simultaneously.
:)

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read learning from the source over 50 years ago. Sounds like he fell a bit for the woowoo side of things.

[Kat O'B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this book! Lance's review gives good specifics:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nihar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my blue belt grading