Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives

As a lifetime student and instructor of numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Kenjutsu, Kendo, Boxing, Wresting, Naginata Jutsu, Tai Chi Women's self-defense classes, etc.) the last 55 plus years I have always encouraged women to participate in my martial art and personal self-defense classes. Even though there are quite a few women who are active today in numerous martial arts; nevertheless, the number of women compared to men participating is always much less than men, with the exception of a few (Naginata Do, Aikido, Tai Chi etc.) martial arts which women are often drawn to.This unique and interesting book (Sharp Spear Crystal Mirror: Martial arts in women’s lives by Stephanie T. Hoppe) is for any woman who is into the martial arts or is thinking about joining a specific type of martial art system. This large (81/2 by 91/2 format) 312 page book has personal interviews with women who are involved seriously in numerous martial art systems. Each tells about their experiences, both good and bad, in their study of the martial arts. This book is organized into twenty chapters and covers the following martial art systems.Women who are into Tai Chi and the Chinese arts (Tai-Chi, Taijiquan, Wing Chun, Kung-Fu and Qigong) are covered in seven of the chapters. Aikido is covered in three chapters. Judo is covered in two chapters. A woman whose art is Capoeira is covered in one chapter. Other contributions include Kajukenbo, Jujitsu, Kendo, Naginata, Shuri-ryu, Modern Arnis, Tai Kwon Do and Kenpo Karate.This is a wonderful book for any woman who is seeking to identify with other women in the martial arts. Men should also read this book to better understand women and their experiences studying the martial arts.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate: Practical Combat Karate for the street)

Some parts of the book--which is presented as a compilation of personal interviews--are extremely interesting. However, the author's choice to over-represent practioners of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Aikido weakened what could have been a very important book for women in the martial arts. An explanation may be that the author herself studies T'ai Chi, but with so many women now training in so many different styles, I feel there should have been a more inclusive mix.