The Essence of Budo

A Practitioner's Guide to Understanding the Japanese Martial Ways

By: Dave Lowry

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

The study of budo, or the Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation, is a lifelong path toward perfection of character. Here, Dave Lowry, a sword master who has practiced and taught budo for over 40 years, addresses the myriad issues, vagaries, and inconsistencies that arise for students of karate-do, judo, kendo, kenjutsu, aikido, and iaido as their training develops. He examines such questions as:

• What is the relationship between the student and teacher, and what should one expect from the other?
• What does rank really mean?
• How do you correctly and sensitively practice with someone less experienced than you?
• What does practice look like as one ages?
• Why do budo arts put such an emphasis on etiquette?
• And many others

Lowry also gives practical advice for beginning and advanced students on improving structural integrity in posture and movement, focusing under stress, stances and preparatory actions before engaging with an opponent, and recognizing a good teacher from a bad one.

©2010 Dave Lowry (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Demystifying martial arts

The book reads as a long critique of the American dramatization of martial arts with a decent history review packed in. It lectures sternly and has a quite a few nuggets of wisdom on how to approach martial arts as a curious student.

I do not practice martial arts, but fighting games share some important similarities when it comes to mindset. The Essence of Budo has given me clarity as to why it is hard to improve in games I enjoy and the importance of a cooperative structure.

Budo

Not only is this book well written but it also has a fantastic reader who puts a lot of emotion into the book.
I'd say this book was meant to help a western audience get a better grasp of japanese martial arts.

very good

Very good points well made, useful for all serious budou practioners. in fact all martial artists, new and experienced would gain from this book.

I've heard about dao of Japanese fighting arts

this was by far the best breakdown I've heard of overarching concepts of Japanese martial arts. It left me with an improvement in my understanding as well as several questions to ask myself regarding the arts that I teach and train, my way of learning, teaching, and presenting myself. this book dispelled many myths and misconceptions. it also introduced an air of logic and reason in looking backward at the "Noble Samurai," while simultaneously offering credit as credit is due.

The choice of a narrator for this book was perfect. I was worried that having a Japanese narrator for an American author would sound cheesy and disingenuous. it did not. it was not. all around, this was a very good book.

Great for Serious Practitioners

With both modern and historical interpretations/examples of Budo and setting historical context in proper order.