Taiho-Jutsu: Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai

Rating:
Summary: A well researched text on Taiho-Jutsu.
Review: For those of you who may not be familiar with the author, he also wrote "Secret Weapons of Jujutsu." If you have read that book and liked it, you are going to love this book. Anyone interested or involved in the martial arts, whether it is Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kobudo or any other combat arts, will find this book of great interest. Taiho-Jutsu: Law and Order in the age of the Samurai will also be of great value to law enforcement sholars doing research into law enforcement weapons of early Japan. This book is both a historical document as well as a practical text. It has numerous photographs showing how the Jutte was used by Japanese law enforcement officials to apprehend criminals and to defend themselves against possible attacks. As a law enforcement trainer, I can see the value of using the Jutte as a police weapon even today. However, I would design it a little differently to meet our "politically correct" society. The Jutte is one of 16 martial art weapons that make up my Bushi Satori Ryu. I had the pleasure to see the author's private Jutte collection when he visited our Jujitsu club. The nine chapters in this books cover a wide variety of topics such as The Shogun's city rises from the marshes, Crime and Punishment in Edo, Civil authority and policing, Arrests and arresting implements, Long arm of the law, Arts and practice of Taiho-jutsu, defensive techniques, offensive techniques and arrest techniques. In conclusion, this is a book for serious martial art scholoars and anyone interested in police arrest and control techniques. This is also the type of book that can be used as a college level text on police control tactics.



Rating:
Summary: Great research; fun to read
Review: The samurai, his sword, and code of bushido are extensively covered in literature, both historical and fiction. This is the first comprehensive book I have come across that covers law enforcement during the Edo period - not only those responsible for enforcing it but their unique weapons as well. Jutte (iron truncheon), tessen (iron fighting fan), sodegarami (sleeve entangler), sasumata (forked spear), and torinawa (arresting ropes) are discussed. It is extremely well researched and easy to read. Great illustrations and pictures too. I very much enjoyed it.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques in the Dojo

Rating:
Summary: Good Edo Period History Book + Weapons Info
Review: This is Don Cunningham's second book dealing with the jutte as well as other arrest techniques from the samurai of the Edo period in Japan. Cunningham sensei provides a great deal of insight into how life was conducted during the Edo period. This book is well written, has excellent drawings of jutte techniques, and is easy to read. Get yourself a copy and sit down for some enjoyable reading.