Budo Mind and Body: Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts

This is an excellent book for all practioners of martial arts, especially those who seek to go beyond just the physical skills to a life-long study of the philosophy of budo. Based on his own training and wide reading, Suino has distilled the essence of what he describes as necessary for the proper study of budo. Be warned: he does not offer an easy or short road: real commitment is physically and mentally demanding. Suino lays out the key elements of both, including some of the pitfalls that await. The benefits, however, can be felt not just within the martial art itself, but also in one's broader approach to life.I particularly liked Suino's criticism of those who are more talk than action in teaching or studying martial arts, and those who are focused more on badges and belts than truly studying the art in all respects. His message is not an easy one for a society focused on quick gratification, self-importance and short attention spans. In addition to the life-long commitment, his call is essentially one of modesty in all aspects: deference for teachers in learning and developing techniques over a period of time, concern for fellow students, modesty in behaviour in the dojo, understanding that learning can evolve and shift its focus but that it has no end point, and modesty in realizing that one is part of, and building upon, very ancient traditions.Appendices include capsule summaries of the key martial arts and a useful bibliography for further reading.This is a book to be re-read and contemplated.

I purchased this book because I learned and benefited from Suino's Arts of Strength, Arts of Serenity. I was thrilled to see he had a new book out. Unfortunately, this new book is simply the old book revised and rereleased. I'm glad to see the book back in print. But I didn't need a second copy.Fortunately, Budo Mind and Body is an outstanding gift book. It's a quick, easy read, but it speaks of things that take a lifetime to thoroughly explore. It's written in a clear, straightforward style with the unadorned elegance that one might expect of an iaido stylist. I highly recommend it unless you already own Suino's Arts of Strength, Arts of Serenity.

This book covers all the important concepts of Martial Art training...except for the Zen aspects. I've been training for over 25 years using a Christian Philosophy and perspective which blends perfectly with the concepts of the true Martial Artist. I would recommend this book to every martial Arts practioner regardless of style or time in training!

This book presents some excellent ideas applicable martial arts and to every day life in a clear and readable fashion.

The book appears,at first, to be to small to have any " serious " information. Wrong. While it is a rellativly quick and easy read, the book is packed with useful insite and information for the expert and novice matial artist. The book should be read again and again to. CONGRATULATIONS PROFESSOR!---JFM JR

I'm new to the martial arts, just starting my iaido training. I found this book to be very helpful, I just wish it was longer.

Great

As a devoted karate practitioner I found the book inspirational, but I would have liked a deeper and more exspansive study. It was over to soon. Liked it very much though!!

I'm going to disagree with the other reviewers of this book and suggest it offers nothing new or particularly insightful into the practise of Budo. The author simply has chapter headings like 'Courtesy' and goes on to say, martial artists should be very courteous, 'Courage', martial artists should be very courageous, 'Self-Delusion', don't be delusional about your abilities, 'Two-sided mind', in the dojo you're just like every other student whereas your seniors appear to be superior-get used to it, and on it goes. It sets up this idealistic scenario throughout the book where the Sensei is all-knowing, always correct and everything she/he does is for good reason and the student is expected to become the perfect person through training very hard. We know neither of these ideas has any truth to them. Sensei are just as flawed as the rest of us and students are rarely perfect or indeed become perfect through the Budo. Some of the most loathsome personalities I've come across have been very senior martial artists! The author had done exactly what I constantly hear martial artists shouldn't do: over-intellectualised the Budo, and as a consequence the ideas have spiralled in on themselves leading the reader exactly nowhere.In conclusion, this book contains no training secrets as suggested on the cover and doesn't say very much other than train hard and be a 'good person'- pretty obvious to the type of person who would read a title like this.

Excellent book for the martial artist, lots of information about principles and spiritual side of the arts. I am very happy with the purchase, there is more to learn on the subject, however this is a good introduction to the idea of Budo.

A bit outdated in some aspects and viewpoints.Still a useful read for students of martial arts and budo i think.

great service, no problems, arrived in good time - - liked the book.