Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense

I chose this book due to practical interest. I was so impressed with content of this book! I would say this book structure, content follows tradition: less talking - more action. Long speeches, tales just spoil idea that carry particular technique. This book is made in this manner.Don't hesitate and buy this book. There are techniques with Jo and even shorter staff. There are basic movements at the beginning of this book with very practical and logical advices how to built your training. Going further there are more difficult techniques available. You'll find tips on particular technique how to act differently and still effectively. I do not regret I bought this book.I received this book much earlier I expected to. Service is just perfect.

Learn why using a stick against an unarmed assailant leads to prison, a carefully worded novel on self defense, use at your caution. In todays day and age you would never get away from that, unless you were old or infirm and you defended yourself against a known criminal with previous. Still its interesting to read the cultural differences. Stick fighting is an art art in japan, however the police will not look so kindly.

I'll start out by admitting that I train in the style, so this really was a necessary investment for me. However, since buying the book and since we've been going through it in more detail, I have now resultantly been thrown, clocked and locked in more ways than I ever thought possible (and when I was first face-planted by a tiny woman with a stick, well that's when I realised both how funny and how painful it could all be). Now, as has been pointed out, this isn't a book on stick-on-stick fighting, but rather a way to apply the stick against an assailant. "Oh, but why would someone attack a guy with a big stick?", many people will say. Well, I don't know. Why would some young fellow attack an old fellow with a walking stick? And how might the old fellow apply his walking stick to the breaking of bones and cranking of limbs? Plus, as has also been said, practice with the stick leads to greater understanding of space, body mechanics and leverage.Now, to be balanced, I found most of Hatsumi's other instructional texts to be a little bit hmmm. This book, however, this is a book worth owning!

I love the way this book is set out. Diagrams are very user friendly with clear and concise instructions in technique deployment.My complaint? That the techniques are so effective, no one wants to help you in learning them... (!)An excellent book for anyone who is a martial arts practitioner or who carries a stick.Speak softly, but carry a (big) stick.A man without a (blackthorn) stick is a man without an expedient.

This was a very well written book which was easy to follow. Because these techniques are based on a Han bo they can also be applied to a walking stick.

Fantastic explanation from the man himself Masaki Hatsumi

This is not book about Filipino Martial Arts, All techniques are based on Japanese styles of fighting with stick.Book itself if well laid out and all techniques are clearly depicted and explained.Book consists of many techniques with different stick lengths (30" , 12-15"), you might be interested in that book if you want to explore some of the locking techniques using sticks. For me as Escrima practitioner it's more informative in a sense what other styles have to offer rather than practical .Most techniques are quite difficult form beginner point of view and include Aikido like takedowns , and throws - not very practical and difficult to execute especially in life threatening situations. Also no empty hands applications are presented, it's assumed you always carry some sort of stick with you to defend yourself.All in all you might like that book if you're into Japanese styles of Martial Arts, if you're not I wouldn't recommend it

very good, it shows how to do the techniques quite well.

Não tem como não gostar dos livros do soke hatsumi sensei!

All the basic stick techniques you need to know.

O.k. who am I to write something about a books that has been written by a Ninjitsu Grandmaster?To be honest Masaaki Hatsumi was one of the heroes of my youth and one of the reasons why I started training martial arts and staid with it.In the beginning I was a little bit suspicious because is it really self defense e to fight with a stick against mostly unarmed attackers.And wouldn't it make much more sense to learn how to defend against stick attacks or to fight with a stick against other weapons?His a Hanbo really a weapon of modern self defense.?So I was thinking if this book is rally up to date or just old fashioned.After some research I found out that in many countries especially USA a there are a lot of courses for elderly and/or handicapped people to learn how to defend themselves, using their walking cane, against the attack of persons who are physical superior.And here we are, the Hanbo is just like a walking cane and in his book you see lots of techniques of how to use it.And this in a book printed 1971 ( so in fact it is older than me).So I think this is really a book written to pass the test of time.And still up to date to stand modern self defenseThe book start with a short introduction why stick fighting and what sticks and schools of stick fighting exists.Than in the different chapters you start with the basic stand and the basic 8 techniques.These as stand alone would help you to handle a stick to defend you self.But then the book goes on with techniques against fist attacks, kicks, grabs etc.All involve directly from the 8 basic techniques.Most of the techniques are shown with the Hanbo but some with a small handhold stick but with a little of improvisation can be adapted to other sticks and items of daily use.Of course you can't learn this from a book, but the book gives good instruction with a lot of pictures and helps to understand and some are quiet complex right.After studying you will understand the principles even if the book shows technique after technique without showing the general concept ( typical old school Japanese way of teaching)So for me this book is really interesting, up to date and a good idea for any body who wants to know more about handling the stick.

I can't see much wrong with this book i can't wait to study it

Hatsumi's book "Stick Fighting" is a welcome addition for those individuals that are interested in improving their stick fighting skills. The book is very detailed with excellent step-by-step photos and comprehensive picture descriptions for each technique. There are approximately 10 basic techniques with over 50 variations on the base techniques.My marital arts background is in ninjutsu, toshindo, boxing and now Arnis. From my perspective, this book will be well suited for those that have studied ninjutsu and/or toshindo, as hanbo techniques are taught in those programs. However, those that have studied other martial arts such as Aikido, Arnis, Russian Systema, or Krav Maga, will most likely also enjoy having this book in their library.Bottom Line: If you have a good understanding of body movement and distancing, then this book will be a great addition to your arsenal. If you have very limited experience in the martial arts, then perhaps this book will still be of use, but I would recommend that you find a skilled/safe training partner. Either way, it is well worth the price and easy to follow. More experienced practitioners will be able to develop their own variations based on the ones printed in the book.