Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword (Literary Links to the Orient)

I had this book years ago and somehow it got lost. This is an excellent book for beginners as well as advanced students. While it does not replace a teacher it is an excellent reference manual. For those that do not have access to a teacher this book will teach you the basic foundation of the bokken. What I like most is the two man kata's. Dave Lowery is an excellent teacher

I was prepared to be disappointed-but was pleasantly surprised. I have studied the sword for years, and yet learned something from this book. For a beginner, too, its clear, concise explanations, coupled with well thought out photographs, will prove an excellent study guide or workbook. There are minor deficiencies, occasionally, but they will provide the student an incentive to put down the book and physically explore what Lowry is trying to demonstrate.There are few like Musashi, who need little personal instruction. This book is not a substitute for a good teacher, but an excellent adjunct to one. The Way is not a set of rules. It is only the Way.

Lo agradable que es una guia de lo basics de este arte martial.

This book is fascinating to look through.

If you want to buy the 1st edition of the Yagyu Shinkage Sword Technique, then know ye that it is exorbitantly expensive. without many people perhaps realizing, this one book is actually directing us through the very basic of Japanese swordmanship, especially the Yagyu Shinkage, since the author was oneof its practitioners.

After just reading a few pages, it became very helpful and showed the truth behind what it really it is like to study Kenjustu. The book is set for practitioners with Katana length Bokkens ( keep in mind).

dave lowry!!!still remember his letter in a certain ninja magazine asking people to kneel down in front of him with eyes closed...seriously book is awesome worth every penny. its get a little woody but still a must have if your serious about real kenjutsu.

I had this book as a teaching resource many years ago. I lost during a move and bought a new copy. This book has been very vaulable to me. I would highly recommend it to anyone needing a cross reference for a Bokken class.

`Bokken' is an excellent book by Dave Lowry exploring the history of the Bokken and it's use in martial arts. This covers the origins, training, selecting a Bokken, the fundamentals, striking methods, combination techniques, techniques with a partner, the seated bow and a glossary. It is illustrated throughout with black and white photography that make the descriptions easier to understand. This was originally written in 1986 and whilst this book may be a little dated in style, it isn't in content. It is intended as an introduction to Bokken work and shouldn't be expected to deliver more than this. I tend to feel this is a good accompaniment to actual training with a qualified instructor. I like Dave Lowry's writing style and his deep integrity to martial arts and recommend other books by him, especially his collected essays.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

I'm far from being an experienced commenter with only about 4 years of iai and ken under my belt but to me the paired exercises just don't look right. Just look a the amount of time uke is expected to remain still while tori executes unnecessary steps such as spinning around to deliver an attack or steps back when his sword is inches from uke's throat allowing uke to strike. In my experience Japanese traditional schools are much more direct.I alos have a problem with the section on striking. It describes the positions but not he correct technique to strike with a sword. A sword should not be used like a hammer. Additionaly the advised training methods of striking at speed and stopping the sword just before the target teach students to do just that, stop before the target.

I bought this whilst learning Kendo and Aikido. It's ok, I learning a bit more about history, equipment and terminology. I'm sorry to say that I didn't learn much in the way of technique from this book, but the fault could be on my side. I'm sure it's very difficult for an instructor to communicate using pictures and written text.

This book formed part of the core curriculum on the 1st year of my ninja course. Very simple instruction with plenty of photographs to get the right form.

Useful beginner's guide with helpful pictures. The author dwells on the esoteric and is somewhat condemning of others, but that is not necessarily a bad thing for a beginner who should be looking for the correct training path to follow.