Clouds in the West : Lessons from the Martial Arts of Japan

Rating:
Summary: A great book to Spend time with.
Review: A very good book!
'Clouds in the west' is 'another great read' for people that are a little 'picky' about their martial art books, and every one else as well.
I have spent all day with this one, and haven't able to put it away.
If Mr Lorwy keeps writing books like this, I'm not going to get much done when he has his books published.
It's worth it though, as things seem to slow down around me when I sit down with his books and a good cup of tea.

Rating:
Summary: Deep
Review: As the title implies, much of traditional martial arts has been clouded, adapted, misunderstood, altered, and even occasionally enhanced as it migrated from the Orient to the West. One of the world's most knowledgeable practitioners of Japanese martial arts, Lowry cuts through the hype and hyperbole to highlight martial concepts as they were meant to be. Among other things he discusses kata, aestheticism, and perseverance, draws comparisons between the martial ways and the way of flower arranging, and explores why Zen actually has very little to do with Japanese martial arts. One small caution though: it seems aimed at the experienced practitioner so if you haven't read one of Lowry's books before and/or are not currently a seasoned martial artist you might not want to start with this one. Regardless, I enjoyed it very much. It's been a couple of years since he put out a new book and I think that upon reading it you'll agree that this one is worth the wait.

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

Rating:
Summary: Repetitive at a more esoteric level
Review: I have read and enjoyed all over Mr. Lowry's books and I was eagerly anticipating his newest collection of thoughts and writings. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by his latest effort. It seems like he has nothing new to say about traditional budo and instead is reaching further into the esoteric and rehashing with excrutiating minutia what he has already written in previous books. For example, the chapter about "what is in a name" just tells us about the convoluted origins of Musashi's various surnames. It seems like Mr. Lowry has exhausted all insights into the man's life and contributions to budo and is now latching onto the potential signifiances of his very very long name.

With that said, there are some interesting chapters in this otherwise tortuous book. The chapter on "Nakaima" or the eternal present is classical Lowry as he explains the link between past, present and future in the continuing lineage and legacy that defines traditional martial arts.

All and all I would recommend that the reader browse this book for the highlights at a bookstore. It is not worth buying and keeping on the bookshelf for future reference and re-reading.


Rating:
Summary: Select Writings for a select few
Review: I have to admit I am a great Dave Lowry fan. I have read and re-read all of his martial arts books to the point they are falling apart. His works to date have always been thoughtful and insightful. They are all upbeat and inspirational to martial artist of all styles. To say I was excited when I saw his new book Clouds in the West for sale on Amazon would be an understatement. I quickly ordered, and received my copy in only two days!

Clouds in the West troubled me. I quickly read through it and was left feeling unfulfilled. This book is not for the general once a week dojo visitor. It is for serious budoka only. Who else would be interested reading an entire chapter on how Shinmen Miyamoto Musashi Fujiwara No Genshin changed his name to Musashi Miyamoto, or a long heady discussion on kata? I almost felt that Mr. Lowry was writing to a very select group of friends and the book was not for general consumption.

There also were of course, for those knowledgeable of Mr. Lowry's writings, several chapters on his well known koryu snobbery. His chapters "Confessions of a Navy SEAL, "A Matter of Bathrobes", and comments in other chapters again tell us
that only a select group of people are privy to authentic classical martial arts training in a real koryu. Mr. Lowry tells us again that there are only a half a dozen authorities (we are never given names of course) of real koryu in the United States. I myself have run into charlatans, and both appreciate and agree with his views. It's not what he says, but how he says it. He appears very condescending. He apparently does not suffer fools lightly. I enjoy being taught, and Mr. Lowry is extremely knowledgeable and the one who can do it. However, I do not like being lectured to. The
point has been made. Let it go.

Overall, I am glad I bought the book and it will have a place in my bookcase with my other Lowry books. Again, this book is for the serious martial artist. If you have not read a Dave Lowry book before, I would start with my personnel favorite and one of the best books on the subject I have read, Autumn Lightning. Save Clouds in the West for when you get your black belt.