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Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenzo (1880–1939), the Zen and kyudo (archery) master who gained worldwide renown after the publication of Eugen Herrigel's cult classic Zen in the Art of Archery in 1953. Kenzo lived and taught at a pivotal time in Japan's history, when martial arts were practiced primarily for self-cultivation, and his wise and penetrating instructions for practice (and life)—including aphorisms, poetry, instructional lists, and calligraphy—are infused with the spirit of Zen. Kenzo uses the metaphor of the bow and arrow to challenge the practitioner to look deeply into his or her own true nature.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful book. It is essentially a biography of the Japanese archery master named Awa Kenzo (1880-1939). Awa Kenzo was the teacher of Eugene Herrigel, and has been made famous through Herrigel's account of his learning experience under Awa entitled 'Zen in the Art of Archery'. However, Herrigel's account focused primarily upon his technical and spiritual experience, with little background information offered regarding master Awa himself. John Stevens has remedied this by researching Awa's life and background extensively, reproducing not only important biographical information, but also compelling and powerful photographs of Awa drawing the bow.
John Stevens was born in the USa in 1947. He lives in Japan and teaches Eastern Philosophy at Tohoku Fukushi University. He has written many books on the subject of Aikido and Budo related subjects. He currently holds a 7th dan blackbelt grade in the art of Aikido, as well as being a Buddhist priest. When young, he briefly studied archery under students of Awa Kenzo and has produced a respectful biography of a great martial arts teacher. Such a teacher, as Stevens' work suggests, is both technically proficient as well as being compassionate abd humane. Not only could Awa draw and fire the bow as good as any archery master of his generation, but he is also known for providing his students with a meal after Friday training sessions. Interestingly, his wife - Fusa - was also renowned for her archery skills and often taught students in her own right. Awa Kenzo was a master of the 'yumi', or Japanese 'long bow', and once fired an arrow through a lightbulb, without shattering the glass bulb itself - the arrow made only an entry and exist hole in the round, glass structure.
The book has Preface and an Intorduction and is separated into three distinct parts:
1. The Life of Awa Kenzo.
2. The Teachings of Awa Kenzo.
3. Tales of the Bow.
In 1929, Awa Kenzo fell ill with kidney disease and was told that he would be dead within the year. He was advised to rest and give-up archery. Instead Awa would get-up at the height of his illness and fire at least one or two arrows a day. Awa believed that that deep breathing and concentration helped him to heal, he lived for another decade. A remarkable book about a remarkable human being.
John Stevens was born in the USa in 1947. He lives in Japan and teaches Eastern Philosophy at Tohoku Fukushi University. He has written many books on the subject of Aikido and Budo related subjects. He currently holds a 7th dan blackbelt grade in the art of Aikido, as well as being a Buddhist priest. When young, he briefly studied archery under students of Awa Kenzo and has produced a respectful biography of a great martial arts teacher. Such a teacher, as Stevens' work suggests, is both technically proficient as well as being compassionate abd humane. Not only could Awa draw and fire the bow as good as any archery master of his generation, but he is also known for providing his students with a meal after Friday training sessions. Interestingly, his wife - Fusa - was also renowned for her archery skills and often taught students in her own right. Awa Kenzo was a master of the 'yumi', or Japanese 'long bow', and once fired an arrow through a lightbulb, without shattering the glass bulb itself - the arrow made only an entry and exist hole in the round, glass structure.
The book has Preface and an Intorduction and is separated into three distinct parts:
1. The Life of Awa Kenzo.
2. The Teachings of Awa Kenzo.
3. Tales of the Bow.
In 1929, Awa Kenzo fell ill with kidney disease and was told that he would be dead within the year. He was advised to rest and give-up archery. Instead Awa would get-up at the height of his illness and fire at least one or two arrows a day. Awa believed that that deep breathing and concentration helped him to heal, he lived for another decade. A remarkable book about a remarkable human being.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed reading this especially as I have a great fondness for both Japanese Zen philosophy and also the unwritten and knightly code of the Samurai. The book gives some of those satisfying examples of zen thought very nicely woven within a lengthy and enjoyable narrative. After being slightly worried that it may instruct me in arts of violence the lesson became apparent after finishing the book when it hit me like an invisible arrow flying from a non existent bow.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This a short book but it introduces the life of Awa Kenzo in a pleasant and succint manner, followed by some of his teaching philosophy and finally a few interesting notes written by the author.
Full of wisdom; Recommended.
Full of wisdom; Recommended.
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