Strategy and the Art of Peace

by Risuke Otake, Lee Daniel (Translator)

A narrative on the extensive martial curriculum and wisdom of the Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto-ryu, one of the source traditions of Japanese swordsmanship, from its incumbent master teacher.

Encompasses an introduction to the history, technical curriculum including kenjutsu (swordsmanship), iaijutsu (sword drawing), naginatajutsu (halberd), and shurikenjutsu (throwing spikes), and esoteric / strategic curriculum including hōijutsu (directional divination) and chikujōjutsu (fortifications) of the Katori Shintō-ryū, based on references to its scrolls. Additionally includes the author's reflections on nearly seventy years of austere training, and illuminates the "art of peace", the philosophical foundation required of all practitioners.

267 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Peter Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my personal signed copy of the first edition from Otake Sensei himself. The book is for practitioners of tenshin shoden katori shinto ryu. You will not understand much of it unless you are already a student. Otherwise its excellent and reveals plenty that students will recognise.
Nicely done Lee San.

[TjeerdFokkens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book introducing the art of Tenshinshoden Katori Shintō ryu by the great master himself. The book is very well written and has super interesting anecdotes about the master's path. It also offers a glimpse into the style's curriculum, which is mostly kept hidden from the general public. This is also the drawback of the book, as the techniques described offer very little information with which the reader can visualise the movements. The book has very nice philosophical reflections on life, however, and this makes it a very worthwhile read.