This unique history of Japanese armed martial arts-the only
comprehensive treatment of the subject in English-focuses on
traditions of swordsmanship and archery from ancient times to the
present. G. Cameron Hurst III provides an overview of martial arts
in Japanese history and culture, then closely examines the
transformation of these fighting skills into sports. He discusses
the influence of the Western athletic tradition on the armed
martial arts as well as the ways the martial arts have remained
distinctly Japanese. During the Tokugawa era (1600-1867),
swordsmanship and archery developed from fighting systems into
martial arts, transformed by the powerful social forces of peace,
urbanization, literacy, and professionalized instruction in art
forms. Hurst investigates the changes that occurred as military
skills that were no longer necessary took on new purposes: physical
fitness, spiritual composure, character development, and sport. He
also considers Western misperceptions of Japanese traditional
martial arts and argues that, contrary to common views in the West,
Zen Buddhism is associated with the martial arts in only a limited
way. The author concludes by exploring the modern organization,
teaching, ritual, and philosophy of archery and swordsmanship;
relating these martial arts to other art forms and placing them in
the broader context of Japanese culture.
General
Imprint: |
Yale University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
July 1998 |
Authors: |
G.Cameron Hurst
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 156 x 21mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
256 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-300-11674-8 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
0-300-11674-8 |
Barcode: |
9780300116748 |
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