Here--at last!--is your only chance to fully master the lethal tactics and techniques of the mysterious Asian "shadow cadre." Miyamoto Musashi (1594–1645)--the greatest swordsman Japan has ever seen and author of the masterpiece Gorin No Sho (A Book of Five Rings)--spent many arduous years as a wandering ronin, studying the murder, mayhem, and mind-control secrets of Asia's dark shadow cadre. Few today are able to grasp the penetrating wisdom of this revered innovator. Now Dr. Haha Lung at last brings his unique perspective to Musashi's hard-won knowledge in this powerful volume, where you'll learn the forbidden secrets of: Japan's Shinobi-Ninja The (in)famous Hirracarrah spies of ancient India Chinese "ninja" such as the Lin-Kuei ("Ghost Warriors") and the Moshuh Nanren espionage and assassination experts Vietnamese "Black Crow" mind-masters Tibetan sDop-sDop mind-warriors STREET AND BOARDROOM WARRIORS BE ADVISED: Mind-Sword is for academic study ONLY. Dr. Haha Lung is the author of more than a dozen books on martial arts, including Mind Penetration, Mind Fist, The Nine Halls of Death, Assassin!, Mind Control: The Ancient Art of Psychological Warfare, and Mental Dominance.

There are simularities and differences between the European and Japanese medieval warrior traditions that reflect the social evolutions within those cultures. Over the years publishing the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, we published articles that presented the main themes found in this unique area of comparitive studies. The most important of these writings are assembled in this anthology for your convience. Chapters 1 and 2 are by Dr. Willy Pieter, a leading scholar with a thorough grasp of European and Japanese martial art traditions. His first chapter examines the feudal system and how aspects of social organization helped form the warrior ethic, resulting in a mix of scientific and intuitive elements. In the second chapter Dr. Pieter illustrates how the perception of the human body and mind are culturally different in the East and West. Westerners have a long tradition of dualism, which separates the body and mind, while the Eastern approach has been wholistic. The author discusses scientific and medical histories for insight, particularly Chinese and European influences on Japan. In the third chapter John Michael Greer presents the esoteric side of a European sword tradition as found in the writings of Dutch fencing master Gerard Thibault (ca. 1574–1627). He notes that Asian and Western combat systems havebeen understood in sharply different ways over the last century or so. Asian combatives came to be associated with Eastern spiritual traditions and seemed to be very different than any Western combative system. However, this short chapter shows that there is actually much in common. In the final chapter Matthew Galas compares and contrasts the sword arts in Germany with the classical Japanese martial traditions. The period covered by this inquiry reaches from approximately 1350 until 1600. The focus is on general principles and combat philosophy. The study reveals that German sword techniques were as effective as their counterparts in feudal Japan. The content in this anthology is usefull for anyone interested in either or both European and Japanese martial art traditions exemplified during their medieval periods. Enjoy reading this special anthology dedicated to two leading warrior traditions.

An accessible guide to the essential teachings of Buddhism counsels readers on such topics as developing one's spiritual center, integrating Buddhist principles into a daily life, and making a meaningful difference in the world. Original.

Three Japanese swordsmen recorded their philosophy, experiences and ideas during their lifetime in the 16th and 17th centuries. Hiroaki Sato's translation of their work is an illuminating and revealing book on the basic elements of strategy.

The Samurai Mind is a collection of five seminal Japanese texts that convey the essence of traditional samurai philosophy and ethics from very different, but complementary points of view. These texts range from the ferocious to the esoteric—with their common thread being the importance of mastering one's own mind as the key to overcoming opponents. They were written from the mid-18th to early 19th century, The authors were acknowledged master samurai warriors keen to address a broader audience beyond their circle of students and acolytes. Their aim was to explain their craft to the outside world, and they do so with great insight. The classic Japanese texts are: The Mysterious Skills of the Old Cat Sword Theory A Treatise on the Sword Joseishi's Discussions on the Sword Ignorance in Swordsmanship Four of the five texts presented here are translated into English for the first time making The Samurai Mind an important addition to the literature on Japanese martial arts and a valuable resource for all martial artists. This samurai philosophy book is an informative look at the samurai of Japan with particular emphasis on the warrior's relationship with his samurai sword—the most fabled weapon in history—and on his need to cultivate mental discipline to achieve his goals.

How the samurai cultivated Zen, relating its teaching of a free and spontaneous mind to the experience of a warrior in individual combat, and finding philosophical strength in Zen as they prepared themselves for death.

This book is about conquering fear. Roshi Kitabu (writing as Vernon Kitabu Turner) knows from personal experience how to overcome fear. As a child, he cowered before neighbourhood bullies until finally he was driven to find his courage because he had to defend his brother. From that point he resolved to help anyone in need, and began to study martial arts. As a result of an extraordinary act of synchronicity, he met a Japanese Zen master, and shortly afterwards experienced an epiphany (satori), by which he understood that it is the soul that controls the body: 'in a blaze of light, I immediately understood the secret of self-defense from the inside out.' With virtually no training in the martial arts, he became a master - and after a sensational 'trial by combat' he was made a 'black belt'. Roshi Kitabu shares his secret - and explains that this power exists in everyone. He shows the steps that must be taken to cultivate the Warrior Mind - involving a direct flow from the Soul (your inherent spiritual power) into action. 'Before you can begin to control a possible assailant, you must take control of your thoughts. A warrior must believe in his ability to win.' This has become a truism for all serious practitioners of martial arts - but its message applies equally to all the obstacles that one encounters in life: truly the soul houses the sword. Through diligent practice, we can sharpen ourselves to a razor's edge and learn to cut though any obstacle as it arises.