Three Golden Pearls on a String: The Esoteric Teachings of Karate-Do and the Mystical Journey of a Warrior Priest

by Thomas M. White

"Budo is the way to cut oneself from one’s first step to the point one can reach. To cut oneself means to face our own mind directly, honestly, strictly; to polish the mind by cutting away cowardliness, selfishness, ugliness, and weakness. To have the mind’s eye, me must have a strong mind. At the same time, it is absolutely necessary to be very humble."
-From the Foreword

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 1993

Reviews

[Thomas Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read of a book I purchased in Japan many, many years ago. The late author was able to convert that "Karate Feeling" that those of us who have studied that particular martial art have known. A must. Not hard to find on the used market, but will someday be a collector's item.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Three Golden Pearls on a String" by Thomas M. White is an unusual book. Published by North Atlantic Books originally in 1987 it is part attractive calligraphy and part meaningful introspection woven together in particularly unique-unusual ways.

White a calligrapher of Japanese, combines quotes of various sources; the Bhagavad Gita, Dorjie A.G.V., H.P. Blavatsky, Paul Reps, Eizo Shimabuku, Gichen Funakoshi, Ch'en Shan-Min, and many others. Primarily White has written a curious poetry concerning his understanding of the soul of the practices of Okinawan karate.

The book begins with the Dedication, the Preface and the Forward. White is succinct and pleasantly direct. He does not blather nauseously about samurai ideals, pretend-fake stereotypes nor the universal love-beads and harmony routine which too many try and articulate.

In the Preface, White describes the need to explore the fundamental esoteric aspects of karate as necessary if indeed the practice truly originated from Buddhist origins at the Shaolin Temple. He seeks to explore the art of karate as a tool for spiritual peeling, and opening. His philosophical approach is the basis for this book.

"...Karate is but a tool that the masters have found valuable in cultivating the spirit of the worthy mechanic..." (pp. 4)

"...one must struggle that defeat never comes from within..." (pp. 8)

"Tradition is not always sacred. It is sometimes flawed by social and cultural complexities quite inappropriate for the journey to be taken..." (pp.13)

The real virtue of training is found on uncommon ground, in those moments of darkness when victory is attained..." (pp.24)

"...sacrifice is not vein self-torture to reach ones ideal state of being; it is but a choice of action consistent with ones priorities..." (pp.44)


White offers many interesting opinions, perspectives. Not all are nearly as pristine or clear as the examples above. More often than not however his subjects kata, committed practice, developing a useful tool among others, White's reflections tend to have a sweet but poignant edge to them. The book divided into three parts; the Thread (pp.03), the Instructions (pp.19), and the Student (pp.35) his "three pearls". White describes the qualities of the warrior-priest, but he never explains in what religious tradition he received his training to become a "priest"? A Roman Catholic Priest? A Hindu Brahman? A Buddhist Monk? Detail is required to give credibility to such an important claim. White does not provide this mandatory, critical information in this edition.

With no ability to read the Japanese calligraphy, and no translation of the characters offered, it is difficult to say whether White's calligraphy is skilled or inept. Suffice to say the layout is pretty and that the writing seems powerful, may suffice? Translation of this calligraphy is necessary in future editions. Books of poetic ramblings there are plenty... coherent, poignant musings about the fires, the tools of Shorin-ryu karate... none exist but this one.

An interesting and curious book!