The Shogun's executioner has received many strange last requests from those about to lose their head, some stranger than others. A woman condemned for murder wants her locks severed by the killing blade to be given to a lost love. An old man asks that his own decapitation follow that of his prized chrysanthemum, and that his executioner grow another from its cuttings. And elsewhere, the woman who once stole the weapons of samurai policemen is asked to serve as a cop herself to use her own unique skills to help solve a puzzling murder.

This book reads from right to left in the traditional Japanese manga format.

Complete texts of Benten Kozo, Pulling the Carriage Apart and The Village School, Shunkan, and Naozamurai. Commentary on each play by actors and critics. Nearly 100 photographs.

Ever met someone who had given a new meaning to your life? Most of us have. They might be with you forever or have left you at some point, but their names are carved in gold in your heart. Every time you hear their name or think about them, a smile creeps onto your lips or a tear escapes your lids. Well, that’s the idea of this story. The story is about Aarav Khanna, a Fashion Designer from NIFT who works at a call centre because of certain circumstances. He has a girlfriend, a good friend at work, a contented life, a handsome face and a job, enough for a guy to be happy with. And then he meets Ada Maciel, a Mechanical engineering student, a preplanned online friendship from the Metro girl’s (Ada) side brings them close and soon enough they become friends.

Through the lenses of Shotokan Karate and biomedicine, sensei and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong shows readers how body, mind, and spirit can be developed through martial arts practice. Through the practice of martial arts, a person can realize their full potential--not only in body, but in mind and spirit. The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts shows readers how. Author, sensei, and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong delves into the physical, mental, and spiritual components of martial arts and integrates contemporary sports psychology, kinesiology, and neuroscience into a nuanced and illuminating understanding of what martial arts practice can be. Structured into three sections, Tong discusses: The Mind: The dao of martial arts, mental tranquility, contemporary neuroscience, and warming up the brain The Body: Posture and stance, breathing in martial arts, and the physics of mastery and effort The Spirit: Soul, spirit, and moving zen; nature and manifestations of the spirit Each section includes observations on martial arts origins, physiology, and tangible results on martial arts training. Blending traditional and contemporary approaches, knowledge, and research, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts builds a vision of practice that elevates physical performance, awareness, decisiveness, and strength of spirit.