5 Books Essential for All Ryukyu Budoka!

Ryukyu Budo isn't only about learning techniques and patterns, it's more than just the training and doing what Sensei said, it's deeper than tournament trophies and coloured belts.

While we all might have different motivations and reasons for training, a large part of this must be about the acquisition and improvement of knowledge.
Ultimately Budo is all about personal development, both physically and mentally.

For the early years of Budo training, you might get sufficient knowledge from what Sensei and others talk about during class, but if you wish to advance past being a mere beginner you need to actively seek more/deeper knowledge elsewhere. Luckily for us the internet is great for this; particularly Wikipedia, relevant Facebook pages, YouTube videos and blogs. These online sources are handy but all that information originally comes from either the Dojo or that other classic information source 'Books'.

Books are sort of like eBooks or some PDF files, but are made up of many thinly sliced trees with ink in the shape of the words physically printed on them!!! Then it's all stuck together and bound.

It's crazy the things people came up with in the old days!


Anyhoo... Below are 5 books that are essential reads for any serious Budoka!

BUBISHI

- By Patrick McCarthy

Patrick McCarthy is one of the world's most respected Karate/Kobudo researchers. Technically the Bubishi wasn't written by Sensei McCarthy, it's more accurate to say it was 'compiled' by him.
The Bubishi is an ancient text regarding Budo training, originating in Ancient China. Versions of this book were used by some of the most notable Masters and has directly influenced the techniques within the Kata of traditional Karate.
Some of the Masters that are known to have read in used this book are: Kanryo Higashionna, Chojun Miyagi, Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni among others.

THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS

- By Miyamoto Musashi

Musashi's classic book on 'strategy', written by him in the later years of his life, is basically the culmination of his thoughts and lessons regarding the way of Budo. The book is divided into 5 separate smaller books (the 5 rings):

• The book of Earth,
• The book of Water,
• The book of Wind,
• The book of Fire and
• The book of the Void.

The whole text is only short compared to some other books and it is actually a relatively easy read, but is so packed with information and insight that it can be read 10 times and you can still learn something new. It is highly recommended that this book is read several times to truly understand what Musashi is saying.

 

SHIN GI TAI

- By Michael Clarke

This is probably the most comprehensive Karate book I have ever read!
Michael Clarke has extensive knowledge and experience from his long Budo career. The book itself is in three sections: Shin (mind), Gi (Technique) and Tai (Body). In each section he basically coverers as much as his can. If you wish to gain a firm grasp of the way of Ryukyu Budo and everything that is involved, this book should definitely be at the top of your list!

 

THE ART OF WAR

- By Sun Tzu

Another classic book on strategy, The Art Of War was written in ancient China by a military general/philosopher. In spite of what the title suggests, this books doesn't glorify war or violence. The overall message is that the goal is always to end the conflict the best way possible, with the least amount of casualties possible. It highlights the fact that the way of the warrior is to end war rather than to make war.
As this book is so old and was originally written in Chinese, it has been translated and interpreted many different people over the years. This means that you can read different versions of the same book and reach different conclusions from the same text.

OKINAWAN KARATE TIMELINE & 100 MASTERS 

- By Hokama Tetsuhiro



Hokama Sensei is probably the world’s most knowledgeable and respected Karateka alive today. He is a 10th Dan, holds two doctorates in Karate, is President of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenshi Kai Karatedo Kobudo Association and owner of the world’s first Karate museum in Nishihara, Okinawa.
He is also the nicest and most humble guy you’ll ever meet!
This Book is exactly as the title says. It's split into two parts, the first part is a brief timeline of the history of Ryukyu Budo and the second half is details of 100 of Ryukyu Budo's most prominent masters.




Comment below to share any thoughts or opinions you might have.  :)

Thanks for reading.
Derm

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