TOKUMEIKAN
Bibliography
Below is a listing of the literary works which are deemed in our opinion to be worth your time reading and researching. Most of the books included in this list are primarily source materials. It is our belief that there is no better way to learn than from the masters themselves. There are many generalist (introductory) books published about swordsmanship but we have only included those which we deem necessary or useful to read.
1) Technical/ Style-specific Swordsmanship Manuals
Watanabe, Tadashige (1993). Shinkage Ryu Sword Techniques, Vols. 1 & 2. Tokyo, Japan: Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc. {ISBN: 0-87040-887-9}
A good technical book for Shinkage Ryu afficionados. Covers techniques and kata ("The First Five" and "The Nine Kinds") through pictures. Little text.
Otake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword, Vols. 1, 2, & 3. Japan: Minato Research and Publishing Co. {ISBN: 0-87040-378-8, 0-87040-405-9, 0-87040-406-7}
A source book for those studying Katori Shinto Ryu. Kata are demonstrated through a mass of pictures. Very style-specific in its content: history, philosophy, breakdown of components and their definitions, etc...
Volume 1 covers the origins and teachings of Katori Shinto Ryu and basic sword etiquette. Iaijutsu and bojutsu kata are also shown. Volume 2 covers concepts of character, sword, and yin & yang. Basic and advanced sword kamae and kata are shown. Volume 3 covers Buddhist concepts, the nine signs, and includes Buddhist sermons. Kodachi, two sword, naginata, and spear katas are shown.
2) General
i) Draeger, Donn F. (1996). Classical Bujutsu. Weatherhill. {ISBN: 0-8348-0233-3}
ii) Draeger, Donn F.(1996). Classical Budo. Weatherhill.{ISBN: 0-8348-0234-1}
The best generalist book you can find about the times, the old arts, and the ethos of the time. Since the author studied Katori Shinto Ryu with Otake, you'll see that some of his material is slanted in that direction. But an excellent read nonetheless.
Ratti, Oscar & Westbrook, Adele (1991). Secrets of the Samurai: A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Boston, MA: Charles E. Tuttle Co. {ISBN: 0-8048-1684-0}
A well-researched work. It covers the whole spectrum of topics related to samurai (the classes of samurai, the social structure of feudal Japan, rituals, the various martial traditions and arts) and the milieu of the time.
Sasamori, Junzo & Warner, Gordon (1964). This is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing. Boston, MA: Charles E. Tuttle Co. {ISBN: 0-8048-1607-7}
An excellent introduction to kendo, written in conjunction with Junzo Sasamori, who also was the headmaster of the Ono branch of Itto Ryu. Excellent history section.
3) Bushido (The Samurai Code of Ethics):
Yamamoto, Tsunetomo. Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai. Trans: William Scott Wilson (1979). New York: Kodansha International/ USA Ltd.{ISBN: 0-87011-606-1}
One of the best books for understanding the spirit of the samurai way of life. Although written when Bushido was on the decline, it is a definitive guide to samurai ethics. It is an intriguing book since it was written by a samurai, who was lamenting the lax manners of his time, as advice to his descendants.
Wilson, William Scott (1982). Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors. Burbank: CA: Ohara Publications {ISBN: 0-89750-081-
This book is a collection of the advice of various daimyo and clan leaders to their descendants. A fascinating look into the ethical and practical ideas of samurai from the Kamakura and Sengoku eras.
4) Eastern Philosophy and Religion:
Mencius. Trans: D.C. Lau (1970). London: Penguin Books {ISBN: 0-14-044228-6}
A must read for understanding Asian culture and ethical/moral thought processes. Only two philosophers truly represent the Confucian doctrine. Confucius was one and Mencius was the other.
Confucius: The Analects (Lun Yu). Trans: D.C. Lau (1979). London: Penguin Books. {ISBN: 0-14-044348-7}
The collection of sayings of the old sage. His ideas shaped the ethical thought of the major Asian societies. Essential reading for those interested in the philosophical ideas underlying Bushido.
Wing, R. L.(1986). The Tao of Power. New York: Doubleday & Co. Inc. {ISBN: 0-385-19637-7}
An exceptional translation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, with innovative, thought-provoking interpretations of the scriptures. This mysterious sage initiated the mystical idea of the "Tao" ("Do" or "michi" in Japanese) as the "Way" and the source of all things.
Buddhist Scriptures. Trans: Edward Conze (1959). London: Penguin Books. {ISBN 0-14-044088-7}
An excellent anthology of passages from famous Buddhist scriptures. The essence of Buddhist thought is presented, including discussions on morality, wisdom, meditation, and doctrinal formulas and debates.
The Dhammapada. Trans: Jose Mascaro (1973). London: Penguin Books. {ISBN 0-14-044284-7}
A superb translation of an original Buddhist text on the Buddhist moral system. "Dhammapada" literally means "the Path of Perfection."
The Upanishads. Trans: Jose Mascaro (1965). London: Penguin Books. {ISBN 0-14-044163-8}
A fine collection of spiritual treatises from Hindu thinkers and poets. Great spiritual questions are asked and answered.
5) Zen and Swordsmanship:
Takuan, Soho. The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master. Trans: William Scott Wilson (1986). New York: Kodansha International/ USA Ltd. {ISBN: 0-87011-851-X}
The original writings of the priest Takuan to Yagyu Munenori. Takuan also advised Musashi. This is the best work on Zen as applied to swordsmanship. Includes Takuan=s treatise to Ono Tadaaki. Enlightening read!
Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death. Compiled by Hoffman, Y. (1986). Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Co. {ISBN: 0-8048-1505-4}.
Exactly what it says. A collection of 320 death poems with commentary on the poems and the authors.
6) The Bibles of Japanese Swordsmanship
Miyamoto, Musashi. The Book of Five Rings. Trans: Victor Harris (1974). Woodstock, NY: The Overlook Press. {ISBN: 0-87951-018-8}.
Arguably the best translation of Musashi=s ideas. Captures best the meaning of the technical concepts.
Miyamoto, Musashi. The Book of Five Rings. Trans: Brown, B. J., Kashiwagi, Y. Barrett, W. H. & Sasagawa, E. (1982). New York: Bantam Books. {ISBN: 0-553-35170-2}
A translation from a Zen perspective. Shows some unfamiliarity with technical ideas and terminology but the view given by the authors from a Zen perspective is valuable in comparison with Harris' translation.
Yagyu, Munenori. The Sword and the Mind. Trans: Hiroaki Sato (1985). Woodstock, NY: The Overlook Press. {ISBN: 0-87951-256-3}
An excellent translation of Munenori's famous treatise. Includes photos of the original drawings and text from the scrolls. Includes a translation of excerpts from Takuan's treatise to Munenori and Ono Tadaaki.
7) Strategy
Sun Tzu. The Art of War. Trans: Samuel B. Griffith (1963).London: Oxford University Press. {ISBN: 0-19-501476-6}
The Master talks about strategy and principles of warfare. The Bible of warfare: mysterious and timeless. This version translated to make it interpretable to Western readers. Includes comments from other Chinese thinkers.
Carl von Clausewitz. On War. Trans: Michael Howard/ Peter Paret (1976).Princeton: Princeton University Press. {ISBN: 0-691-05657-9}
Classic Western treatise on strategy and principles of warfare. Based on lessons drawn from the Napoleonic Wars.
Wing, R. L. (1988). The Art of Strategy. New York: Doubleday & Co. Inc. {ISBN: 0-385-23784-7}
Another translation of Sun Tzu, except this one admirably maintains the tone of the original. It leaves the vagueness of the Chinese wording, which allows for multiple interpretations of the meaning of words.
8) Stories of Famous Samurai:
Sugawara, Makoto (1988). Lives of the Master Swordsmen. Tokyo, Japan: The East Publications, Inc.
{ISBN: 4-915645-01-0}
All the stories of the famous swordsmen: Musashi, the Yagyu clan, Bokuden, Ito, Ono, Nobutsuna, and Tesshu, among others. Covers their lives and exploits in detail. Best of all, it gives character sketches of the Masters. Entertaining!
Sato, Hiroaki (1995). Legends of the Samurai. Woodstock, NY: The Overlook Press. {ISBN: 0-8795-1619-4}
Extracts from famous treatises, stories, and anecdotes. A superb collection with a lot of variety.
9) History:
The Taiheiki: A Chronicle of Medieval Japan. Trans: Helen Craig McCullough (1959). Rutland, Vermont:: Charles E. Tuttle Co. {ISBN 0-8048-1322-1}
A translation of the history (actually the official records told through a narrative format) of the Civil War.
Disclaimer: This page contains links to electronic texts found on several external internet sites. Tokumeikan is in no way associated with any of these sites nor do we accept responsibility for any of the contents found therein. As such all questions regarding the use of materials, in part or in whole, found on any of the linked sites should be directed to each website's respective web administrator. Thank you. Tokumeikan. 2005