What do you think?
Rate this book
Japan The Ultimate Samurai Guide: An Insider Looks at the Japanese Martial Arts and Surviving in the Land of Bushido and Zen
Part Samurai history, part martial arts guide, this is THE book for anyone interested in Japan's fabled Samurai culture.
Author Alexander Bennett is the ultimate insider--holding multiple black belts in Kendo and Naginata, as well as a Ph.D. in Japanese literature and history. In this book he shares his vast personal experience and knowledge with readers seeking to undertake their own personal quest in the Japanese martial arts.
Bennett outlines the Japanese history of Bushido and the Samurai--from early times up until the present. Then, as only someone steeped in this world can, he surveys the contemporary martial arts scene and provides the essential knowledge young foreigners need to find a teacher and learn successfully. Unlike any other book on this subject, Japan The Ultimate Samurai Guide is written by a Japanese speaker who has studied and taught martial arts in Japan for many decades.
Chapters
The Real Samurai
The Concept of Bushido
Development of the Japanese Martial Arts
Martial Arts Masters You Should Know About
Budo in Japan Today
Key Martial Arts Concepts
Life in a Japanese Dojo
A Japan Survival Guide
Written in a down-to-earth and easy-to-read style, this book will captivate anyone interested in Japan, as well as martial arts teachers and practitioners around the world. With both history and humor, this vividly illustrated book has a more personal touch than many (for example, read up on Fifteen Famous Japanese Cultural Indiosyncrasies and Bennett's favorite martial arts movies).
As Bennett says, This book is supposed to be genuinely from the heart. Without the pretense...misconceptions or romantization that often accompanies martial arts.
Author Alexander Bennett is the ultimate insider--holding multiple black belts in Kendo and Naginata, as well as a Ph.D. in Japanese literature and history. In this book he shares his vast personal experience and knowledge with readers seeking to undertake their own personal quest in the Japanese martial arts.
Bennett outlines the Japanese history of Bushido and the Samurai--from early times up until the present. Then, as only someone steeped in this world can, he surveys the contemporary martial arts scene and provides the essential knowledge young foreigners need to find a teacher and learn successfully. Unlike any other book on this subject, Japan The Ultimate Samurai Guide is written by a Japanese speaker who has studied and taught martial arts in Japan for many decades.
Chapters
The Real Samurai
The Concept of Bushido
Development of the Japanese Martial Arts
Martial Arts Masters You Should Know About
Budo in Japan Today
Key Martial Arts Concepts
Life in a Japanese Dojo
A Japan Survival Guide
Written in a down-to-earth and easy-to-read style, this book will captivate anyone interested in Japan, as well as martial arts teachers and practitioners around the world. With both history and humor, this vividly illustrated book has a more personal touch than many (for example, read up on Fifteen Famous Japanese Cultural Indiosyncrasies and Bennett's favorite martial arts movies).
As Bennett says, This book is supposed to be genuinely from the heart. Without the pretense...misconceptions or romantization that often accompanies martial arts.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2018
12 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Bennett
97 books27 followersAlex Bennett was born in 1970 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1994. He received his Doctoral degree from Kyoto University in 2001, and another from the University of Canterbury in 2012.
After working at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and then Teikyo University's Department of Japanese Culture, he is currently employed as an Associate Professor at Kansai University's Division of International Affairs where he teaches Japanese history and society.
He lectures frequently on Japanese martial culture.
His recent publications include Naginata: the Definitive Guide, Budo Perspectives, and may other publications on Budo.
He’s also Editor-in-Chief of Kendo World, the world’s only English language journal dedicated to Kendo, the Vice President of the International Naginata Federation and Director of the Japanese Academy of Budo.
He graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1994. He received his Doctoral degree from Kyoto University in 2001, and another from the University of Canterbury in 2012.
After working at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and then Teikyo University's Department of Japanese Culture, he is currently employed as an Associate Professor at Kansai University's Division of International Affairs where he teaches Japanese history and society.
He lectures frequently on Japanese martial culture.
His recent publications include Naginata: the Definitive Guide, Budo Perspectives, and may other publications on Budo.
He’s also Editor-in-Chief of Kendo World, the world’s only English language journal dedicated to Kendo, the Vice President of the International Naginata Federation and Director of the Japanese Academy of Budo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2018
Informative and fun
An informative read with a lot more info and insight than I expected. A definite must-read for anyone traveling to Japan, whether for a short or long stay.
An informative read with a lot more info and insight than I expected. A definite must-read for anyone traveling to Japan, whether for a short or long stay.
December 2, 2019
Wonderfully illustrated and intensively researched, but never too thick to enjoy.
A great book to check out or gift to the samurai, ninja, or martial arts lover and as pretty to look at as it is enjoyable.
Full Review with Pictures coming to Blog soon:
https://ianjoshyateswriting.blogspot.com
A great book to check out or gift to the samurai, ninja, or martial arts lover and as pretty to look at as it is enjoyable.
Full Review with Pictures coming to Blog soon:
https://ianjoshyateswriting.blogspot.com
November 6, 2023
If you'd like to go to Japan and practice budo for a year-or more- than this is a book for you.
July 29, 2021
Underholdende skrevet og rikt illustrert bok om japansk (budo)historie.
Alexander Bennett har bodd og jobbet i Japan i 30 år. Han har to doktorgrader og jobber til daglig ved Kansai universitetet i Osaka. Den faglige ekspertisen og kunnskapsnivået er altså upåklagelig. Boka tar for seg samuraier, bushido, japanske kampkunster og hvordan det er for en utlending å bosette seg ned i landet.
Bennett har skrevet flere bøker for et allment publikum og vet hvordan han skal engasjere og opplyse. Han forklarer ukjente begreper som "kyojitsu", "shishin", "mushin" på en klar og forståelig måte. Samtidig vet han at variasjon fryder, og at den jevne leser iblant trenger avbrekk fra det abstrakte. For å gjøre lesingen lettere, krydder Bennett sidene med opplevelser fra eget liv og med topp 15-lister – som denne her "The Fifteen Best Japanese Samurai Films of All time."
Boka anbefales sterkt til alle med interesse for emnet.
Alexander Bennett har bodd og jobbet i Japan i 30 år. Han har to doktorgrader og jobber til daglig ved Kansai universitetet i Osaka. Den faglige ekspertisen og kunnskapsnivået er altså upåklagelig. Boka tar for seg samuraier, bushido, japanske kampkunster og hvordan det er for en utlending å bosette seg ned i landet.
Bennett har skrevet flere bøker for et allment publikum og vet hvordan han skal engasjere og opplyse. Han forklarer ukjente begreper som "kyojitsu", "shishin", "mushin" på en klar og forståelig måte. Samtidig vet han at variasjon fryder, og at den jevne leser iblant trenger avbrekk fra det abstrakte. For å gjøre lesingen lettere, krydder Bennett sidene med opplevelser fra eget liv og med topp 15-lister – som denne her "The Fifteen Best Japanese Samurai Films of All time."
Boka anbefales sterkt til alle med interesse for emnet.
February 1, 2019
This book gave me a great insight into Japanese approach towards the martial arts. I personally found it very helpful, I bought the book just before my first trip to Japan. It's well written and really well explained with full of useful info. This book is must have item for any developing and seasoned budoka, any martial arts enthusiast as well as the cultural lover. Highly recommend! It's worth every penny.
March 10, 2019
Extensive research on Japanese samurai. Shattered a lot of things you see on media. A must read if you want a really comprehensive guide to samurai and bushido
November 7, 2021
A small interesting history and explanation of samurai culture.
July 17, 2023
Lots of useful information in here regarding the relationship between samurai and the martial arts.
December 2, 2024
Alexander Bennett does a fantastic job of giving the reader an overview of not just martial arts, but the history of important figures, the origin of the samurai, and living in modern-day Japan. He conveys all of this information with a relaxed, yet passionate writing style that keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Would definitely recommend.
August 20, 2018
Fantastic view of Martial Arts in Japan. Just love opening this book, reading a few pages then go back later.
July 11, 2019
It's tricky to give this little book a fair rating. Some of it I liked, other parts not so much. The writer claims to be from NZ and yet he has a lot of U.S. slangs which didn't really fit the book.
July 3, 2020
440 - 2020
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews