Sword and Brush : The Spirit of the Martial Arts

Rating:
Summary: Kanji and budo
Review: Dave Lowery uses shodo in basic Kanji vocabulary to gives us insight into budo and zen. Shodo is the Way of calligraphy. The art of writting with brush and ink is a common metaphor for Zen thought.And this art was studied by the samuari, Shodo has many similarities with the way of the sword as can be seen in the essays that Lowery has for each kanji character. This book is a great evening read.

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Summary: Insight into the meaning of martial arts-related caligraphy
Review: Lowry, an accomplished martial artist, teacher and student of Asian history, presents another terrific insight into the wonderful world of the martial arts. Each "chapter" begins with the traditional japanese caligraphy for a common martial arts term. Lowry then breaks the components of the caligraphy character(s)which gives even seasoned students of the martial arts a new perspective on both the term and their training. This is followed with commentary and insights into how this relates to the martial arts training experience. The calligraphy for "Kyu" (color-belt ranks) for example is dissected into elements that represent the "tying together of threads." Lowry then allows the reader to "discover" how this relates to martial arts training (my "discovery" was that, just as threads are woven together to make cloth, the experiences of a "lower rank" student are "woven" together to create a "black belt" rank.) I highly recommend this book to intermediate and advanced students of Japanese martial arts. Lowry's perspective allows the reader to fully understand what previously were "simple concepts" and re-evaluate the way they approach their training.

Rating:
Summary: A Must For Any Serious Martial Artist!
Review: Plain and simple - Mr. Lowry lays it all on the line. This book captures the TRUE spirit of the martial arts! It's not about being "bad" or even about self-defense (although martial arts properly studied and used can come in handy when your back's against the wall) - it's about self-development. Nuff sed! Get the book - read it and learn!

Rating:
Summary: A Must For Any Serious Martial Artist!
Review: Plain and simple - Mr. Lowry lays it all on the line. This book captures the TRUE spirit of the martial arts! It's not about being "bad" or even about self-defense (although martial arts properly studied and used can come in handy when your back's against the wall) - it's about self-development. Nuff sed! Get the book - read it and learn!

Rating:
Summary: A Must For Any Serious Martial Artist!
Review: Plain and simple - Mr. Lowry lays it all on the line. This book captures the TRUE spirit of the martial arts! It's not about being "bad" or even about self-defense (although martial arts properly studied and used can come in handy when your back's against the wall) - it's about self-development. Nuff sed! Get the book - read it and learn!

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for all martial students!
Review: Sword and Brush was very informative and compelling. It is not meant to be read in one sitting, but to be consumed over time again and again. As an Aikidoka, it is the best martial arts book I have read thus far. Dave Lowry captures the essence of what the martial arts are all about. (John Putman-Aikido of Sacramento

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Swordsman and calligrapher Dave Lowry discusses 42 Japanese concepts. Amongst other things, he covers do (the Way), martial arts teachers, training in the martial arts, timing, ku (emptiness), tan (forging), intent, gei (the cultivation of craft), and austerity. I myself practice eskrima, which has nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese martial arts, yet I found this book directly inspiring and helpful to my own training, so I would recommend it to any martial artist regardless of art.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Swordsman and calligrapher Dave Lowry discusses 42 Japanese concepts. Amongst other things, he covers do (the Way), martial arts teachers, training in the martial arts, timing, ku (emptiness), tan (forging), intent, gei (the cultivation of craft), and austerity. I myself practice eskrima, which has nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese martial arts, yet I found this book directly inspiring and helpful to my own training, so I would recommend it to any martial artist regardless of art.

Rating:
Summary: Unique in its descriptive nature
Review: This book is written in a very unique way of using calligraphy and fables to express aspects of martial art training. Calligraphy is an art form and requires a trained wrist, similar to that of a swordsman. Both have been intertwined throughout history and can be realted to by both martial artists and by practioners of calligraphy. This is a book that can be enjoyed over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Unique in its descriptive nature
Review: This book is written in a very unique way of using calligraphy and fables to express aspects of martial art training. Calligraphy is an art form and requires a trained wrist, similar to that of a swordsman. Both have been intertwined throughout history and can be realted to by both martial artists and by practioners of calligraphy. This is a book that can be enjoyed over and over again.