Within the evolution that the Japanese martial arts have had during the last centuries, survive techniques that were developed in feudal Japan for real combat, for war or for survival itself, an example is the Hodoki waza or escape techniques or release. The aim of the Hodoki waza was mainly to free itself from a grip that prevented the weapon from being grasped so that once released from the grip it could be used. Escape techniques currently play an important role in any method of self-defense, since they are the bridge between the first reaction of the attacked and the subsequent technical defense sequence. We consider necessary in any school of budo / bujutsu or self-defense the serious and formal study of Hodoki waza and in particular of Te Hodoki (escapes of hands). In this work we mainly develop the Te Hodoki used in the old Jujutsu schools and also in some forgotten kata of traditional Judo, making a tour of its history, about the basic concepts and principles of application, about anatomy and the functional capacity of the joints, etc. In the technical chapter we developed more than 40 technical series for various grips (direct, inverted, two-handed grips, from behind, flaps, etc.).

If there were an "e;ordinary martial arts book"e;, this would be its evil twin. Unflinchingly honest, writing from an unique, insider-turned-outsider's perspective, Ellis explores aspects of budA its philosophies and dilemmas through the lens of aikido, a modern martial art whose founder is discussed in reverential tones and wrapped in quasi-religious mystique. Looking at the idea of budAas-way-of-life and a path to personal perfection, Ellis confronts the real-world complexities and contradictions behind these simplified stereotypes, revealing insights which hold value for any martial artist or even a non-martial artist with an interest in the darker aspects of human nature. - Dave Lowry, author of Persimmon WindIf you are a long-time martial artist, you have likely been either the recipient, the victim - or both - of the "e;wise old master"e; phenomenon, whereby budo students reverentially enfold their teachers as martial, moral and mystical juggernauts sans reproach, in which case, this book will make you clench your fists and laugh out loud, often while reading the same sentence.. Iconoclastic, rebellious, yet fiercely holding to some of the most traditional values of Japanese martial culture, Amdur brought something new to martial arts writing - a startling honesty about the flaws, not only within martial arts culture, but also within its practitioners, often using himself as an exemplar of the latter. Originally published in 2000, and now fully revised, with eight new chapters, new artwork and photography, Dueling with O-sensei, Revised and Expanded Edition will be an invaluable addition to the library of old readers and new alike.

Tenjin Shinyo Ryu was one of the most complete and renowned schools of traditional jujutsu of XIX century in Japan. It is considered as the father of Kodokan Judo, where Jigoro Kano borrowed this atemi waza, katame waza, nage waza and kappo waza among many other techniques. As has happened with other koryu, Tenjin Shinyo Ryu is hardly practiced today. Fortunately, after extensive research, we have recovered information from the past and ancient documents that have been of great help in carrying out this work. We have conducted a study about its history, its lineage, its curriculum with all the kata, vital points of the body, the characteristic kamae of this school, its techniques in idori and tachiai as well as the famous kappo waza. With this work, we put at the service to all lovers of Japanese martial arts the extraordinary beauty and singularity of the Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Jujutsu.

This book is a must for everyone who is interested in martial arts. It handles a great variety of techniques besides history and philosophy. The technical versatility of Ju-jutsu can be clearly seen in the contents of this book(see preview).With 428 pages and over 1500 photo's it can be classified as a complete all-round book. Edgar Kruyning is a leading authority on what remains of Minoru Mochizuki's teachings today.

Ellis Amdur's writing on martial arts has been groundbreaking. In Dueling with O-sensei, he challenged practitioners that the moral dimension of martial arts is expressed in acts of integrity, not spiritual platitudes and the deification of fantasized warrior-sages. In Old School, he applied both academic rigor and keen observation towards some of the classical martial arts of Japan, leavening his writing with vivid descriptions of many of the actual practitioners of these wonderful traditions. His first edition of Hidden in Plain Sight was a discussion of esoteric training methods once common, but now all but lost within Japanese martial arts. These methodologies encompassed mental imagery, breath-work, and a variety of physical techniques, offering the potential to develop skills and power sometimes viewed as nearly superhuman. Usually believed to be the provenance of Chinese martial arts, Amdur asserted that elements of such training still remain within a few martial traditions: literally, 'hidden in plain sight.' Two-thirds larger, this second edition is so much more. Amdur digs deep into the past, showing the complexity of human strength, its adaptation to varying lifestyles, and the nature of physical culture pursued for martial ends. Amdur goes into detail concerning varieties of esoteric power training within martial arts, culminating in a specific methodology known as 'six connections' or 'internal strength.' With this discussion as a baseline, he then discusses the transfer of esoteric power training from China to various Japanese jujutsu systems as well as Japanese swordsman-ship emanating from the Kurama traditions. Finally, he delves into the innovative martial tradition of Daito-ryu and its most important offshoot, aikido, showing how the mercurial, complicated figures of Takeda Sokaku and Morihei Ueshiba were less the embodiment of something new, than a re-imagining of their past.