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The Way of the Living Sword
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Product Description
Product Description
The Way of the Living Sword is the final installment in D.E. Tarver's popular Warrior Series. It stands beside The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi as one of the greatest writings of the warrior mind.
In The Way of the Living Sword, Munenori gives an in-depth explanation of the connection between physical martial arts and the mental process of Zen. While Munenori and Musashi were both avid students of Zen, Munenori was more fascinated by the academic aspects of the philosophy.
Munenori stretches the consciousness of even the most enlightened martial artist. Martial arts devotees will experience many flashes of revelation as Tarver explores the various aspects of Munenori's approach.
Read and grow!
About the Author
D. E. Tarver holds black belts ranging from second to seventh degree in seven different styles of Japanese and Filipino martial arts. He has taught martial arts and strategy for twenty years. Since his honorable discharge from the Marines, he has spent time in Japan and the United States
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read many versions of Musashi's Book Of Five Rings I was very keen to see if the Secret Teachings of Yagyu Munenori held any new principles. I have not been disappointed. This short but brilliant book is ideal for the martial artist, sportsperson, teacher, doctor in fact anyone who "deals" with humans daily and wishes to have better ways to interact. You will of course find no reference to these professions in the book but you will discover many ways to take the way of the sword into every day life. A super, easy to read book that offers instant guidance!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
A Revelation
31 May 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
After reading this book the first time, my understanding and comprehension of my art has greatly expanded. After reading through the second time, I was a bit disheartened about all the things I missed the first time reading. But I am confident that with each re-read that I will come to better understand the concepts and ideals set out in writing by Yagyu Munenori each time.
As I am sure most exponents of the martials arts have come across the terms, Shu, Ha, Rei. Or a similar concept. Reading this book is similar, we can read and copy the ideals verbatim in our everyday lives but it only mimicking the sensei so that our mind and body can absorb the teaching as in Shu. After gaining a better understanding we can break away (not literally) from the sensei's teachings to explore their meaning in greater depth as in Ha. Then comes the "final" stage of Rei, where we can adapt our sensei's teaching to further develop ourselves personally and make it a part of our individual style. Then we review it all and go through Shu, Ha, Rei again. As in our training this process can happen over one training session for a technique but it is a constant over the lifetime of all we do in our art. We are all training over a lifetime, it is not possible for us to learn everything in a few years.
This book is not to teach people about how to swing a sword. If that is what you are after, I think you should reconsider and get another book. This book is more about "Why should I use a sword and the ideals, responsibilities and consequences." But it goes even further than a sword, this is about how we conduct ourselves whether we be samurai, poet, or a leader.
Whether you are just beginning a new martial arts or have been training for a long time this is a good book to gain better insight as to why we train. For those that train in the Koryu Bujutsu, this is a definite must have book.
Arigato
As I am sure most exponents of the martials arts have come across the terms, Shu, Ha, Rei. Or a similar concept. Reading this book is similar, we can read and copy the ideals verbatim in our everyday lives but it only mimicking the sensei so that our mind and body can absorb the teaching as in Shu. After gaining a better understanding we can break away (not literally) from the sensei's teachings to explore their meaning in greater depth as in Ha. Then comes the "final" stage of Rei, where we can adapt our sensei's teaching to further develop ourselves personally and make it a part of our individual style. Then we review it all and go through Shu, Ha, Rei again. As in our training this process can happen over one training session for a technique but it is a constant over the lifetime of all we do in our art. We are all training over a lifetime, it is not possible for us to learn everything in a few years.
This book is not to teach people about how to swing a sword. If that is what you are after, I think you should reconsider and get another book. This book is more about "Why should I use a sword and the ideals, responsibilities and consequences." But it goes even further than a sword, this is about how we conduct ourselves whether we be samurai, poet, or a leader.
Whether you are just beginning a new martial arts or have been training for a long time this is a good book to gain better insight as to why we train. For those that train in the Koryu Bujutsu, this is a definite must have book.
Arigato
Exercise your Mind Wisely
1 Jun 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
And lastly I have read `the Way of the Living Sword', by D.E. Tarver. Here we find another wonderful short guide not only for martial arts training but, more importantly, for life and how we should think.
A few key points here:
Pick the right leaders to guide others
Know who's around you at all times - you must be aware and stay alert
There is but one rule for all to follow
You must read the intentions of others
As much as you read, you must be able to think for yourself (to read it - to live it)
There is a process to all things, so allow ALL to flow naturally
Probably the most important note I would like to add:
Do as though you were doing nothing and all things will flow from their own accord. Do not have a set goal where you think you can control the outcome - you will falter. Rather, release this thought of control, and just react to the "instant" (the current situation), and you will accomplish anything without the `appearance of effort'. Such is nature - the natural flow of all things...
Naturally, I can't explain everything here, but there is plenty of discussion concerning fighting tactics - some which are very interesting. There is some very useful information in here depending on where you are in your training. I do not practice karate anymore; however it has left a valuable imprint on my life in more ways than one. However, I completely comprehend some of the important lessons in this book. I think it is a valuable tool to have handy. Once again - good job to the author...
A few key points here:
Pick the right leaders to guide others
Know who's around you at all times - you must be aware and stay alert
There is but one rule for all to follow
You must read the intentions of others
As much as you read, you must be able to think for yourself (to read it - to live it)
There is a process to all things, so allow ALL to flow naturally
Probably the most important note I would like to add:
Do as though you were doing nothing and all things will flow from their own accord. Do not have a set goal where you think you can control the outcome - you will falter. Rather, release this thought of control, and just react to the "instant" (the current situation), and you will accomplish anything without the `appearance of effort'. Such is nature - the natural flow of all things...
Naturally, I can't explain everything here, but there is plenty of discussion concerning fighting tactics - some which are very interesting. There is some very useful information in here depending on where you are in your training. I do not practice karate anymore; however it has left a valuable imprint on my life in more ways than one. However, I completely comprehend some of the important lessons in this book. I think it is a valuable tool to have handy. Once again - good job to the author...
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Simple
9 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback
Minimalist, simple and direct. If you know the japanese culture, these three words are complements for this book. As the yagyu shinkage ryu, the book is the essence of a fantastic and very effective art. If you practice Yagyu ryu as we do or you're a martial artist, this book is just as mandatory as Inato Nitobe's Bushido, Tsunetomo's Hagakure or even Musashi's GoRi no Sho
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