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

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.

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

I think Suino should have included the word "Spirit" in his title to complete & compliment the ideas that he's putting across in his book.This is an excellent book for all practitioners of martial arts, I can't believe that there are no reviews on here already. There are dozens of important principles here that all taken together can lead too a longer more fulfilling and successful life, martial artist or not.Especially important, for 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 us. 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.It's written very concisely in short easy to digest segments.Appendices include capsule summaries of the key martial arts and a useful bibliography for further reading.One extremely useful section deals with what sort of Martial Art to take up accordingly to suit your nature & then further details how to find a good school & more importantly how to recognise a good teacher of that particular art.This is a book to be re-read, contemplated and meditated upon. Another useful bedside keepsake.