Special Collection
 


Martial Arts

The martial arts are any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, including Aikido, Karate, Judo and Tae Kwon Do. Martial arts are usually practiced as a sport. The resources included in this collection serve as an introduction to the field.


General Martial Arts: Nonfiction

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Martial Arts by Cezar Borkowski (1999): Offers an overview of karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, tai chi, judo, aikido and jiu-jitsu. Compares styles, gives advice on selecting a school, and discusses the benefits of martial arts training.

The Complete Martial Artist by Willie "The Bam" Johnson (2001): Johnson shares his holistic approach, Wushudo Universal Martial Arts, which will spur your physical, mental and spiritual development. Johnson is a karate and kung fu champion.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines edited by Nancy Allison (1999): Covers more than 120 disciplines, including martial arts. Includes historical, theoretical, and practical information about each discipline.

Martial Arts for Beginners by Ron Sieh (1995): An overview of the Martial Arts of China, Okinawa, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Brazil - their history, mythology and technique, along with their evolutions from life-and-death fighting arts to "sports" (and sometimes back again!).

The Martial Arts Explorer (1994, CD-ROM): For those people who think that the martial arts involve challenging people to death matches. A brilliant collection of video clips and articles about the techniques, history, and philosophies of several martial arts styles.

Martial Arts: Mind and Body by Claudio Iedwab (2000): Draws on a broad background to offer a variety of techniques for enhancing performance using mind and body training.

Practical Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Step-by-Step Photographic Instructions for Tae Kwondo, Karate, Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kendo, Iaido and Shinto Ryu by Fay Goodman (2004): An encyclopedic look at ten martial arts from East Asia (chiefly Japan, China, and Korea). Each art receives a brief summary followed by history and philosophy, clothing and equipment, etiquette, common exercises, and typical techniques.

The Principles of Martial Arts: The Ultimate Self-Defense Program (Videocassette, 1988): Noted martial arts expert and instructor Shawn Neth demonstrates the fundamentals of this ancient oriental art. Whether you want an effective workout regime or a powerful way of defending yourself in an emergency, the benefits of this time-honored discipline are many and varied.

General Martial Arts: Fiction

An Assassin’s Touch by Laura Joh Rowland (2005): When the shogun's chief intelligence officer suddenly drops dead during a horse race, the shogun enlists the talents of Sano Ichiro to investigate, putting the sleuth on the trail of a secret movement looking to overthrow the regime.

Crane Spreads Wings: A Bigamist's Story by Susan Trott (1998): A capricious, spirited woman with a passion for Tai Chi and a penchant for bending the truth throws her life into chaos when she leaves her husband of one month and takes a job as a nanny.

Deshi by John J. Donahue (2005): Drawn into a murder investigation involving a martial arts master who has created a powerful new discipline, Connor Burke pursues leads to the master's mountain temple and faces a deadly challenge.

Good Morning, Darkness by Ruth Francisco (2004): A Mexican fisherman and a detective martial arts instructor become suspicious when a young woman disappears during an apparent visit to her family, a situation that is complicated by the discovery of a murder victim.

Hokkaido Popsicle by Isaac Adamson (2002): Adamson's action-packed, rapid-fire follow-up to Tokyo Suckerpunch finds its hero, star reporter Billy Chaka ("the deadline poet of the bubblegum set"), wrapped up in another murder mystery set in noirish, pop culture-crazy Japan.

Looking for Mr. Nobody by Sue Rann (2003): Jan Wolf scrapes a living as a pavement artist in Amsterdam. But when a close friend is abducted by sinister men in black, Wolf commits himself to a course of action that puts him on a collision course with his own elusive past—a past he knows only through nightmares.

Sensei: A Thriller by John J. Donohue (2003): In the wake of a series of killings that are targeting America's top martial artists, instructor Connor Burke and his master are recruited by the NYPD to follow a trail of clues that lead him to a confrontation with a ruthless samurai and his own fears.

Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese form of self-defense.

Aikido by Kisshomaru Ueshiba (1985): Provides basic knowledge for the beginner. Includes exercises, techniques, history and a memoir of the founder of Aikido—the author's father.

Aikido in Training: A Manual of Traditional Aikido Practice and Training by R. Crane (2002): This comprehensive text presents history, practice and principles of body, sword and staff, with over 1,250 photographs.

Aikido Techniques & Tactics by Gary Bennett (1998): Using straightforward text this book teaches how to perform parries, blocks, counterstrikes, throws and body techniques.

Dynamic Aikido by Gozo Shioda (1977): Includes history and techniques, with an emphasis on self-defense. The author studied under Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. He has a black belt and is an instructor.

Jiu-Jitsu (also Jujitsu or Jujutsu)

Jiu-jitsu is a Japanese martial art. Judo is a sport developed from Jiu-jitsu that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent.

Competitive Judo by Ron Angust (2005): A guide to developing the technical skills, tactical maneuvers, and proper mind-set to achieve ultimate success in the sport.

Jiu Jitsu: The Official World Jiu Jitsu Federation Training Manual by Robert Clark (1991): For the beginner and beyond.

Jujitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art by George Kirby (1983): Defines the art of jujitsu, presents its history and philosophy, and gives instructional guidelines that will help the serious student develop his knowledge.

Judo Inside Out: A Cultural Reconciliation by Geof Gleeson (1983): A close look at the social pressures and ideologies which have helped to mould the shape of judo in Britain and Japan, and shows how new ways of teaching quickly and effectively at all levels emerge from a deeper understanding of the origins and development of the sport itself.

Judo Techniques & Tactics by Jimmy Pedro (2001): Offers solid instruction in the essential skills of judo.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a modified version of the Japanese martial art of jiu-jitsu, which uses leverage and technique over strength and has recently grown in popularity.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics: Mastering the Essential Techniques by Gene Simco (2005): Fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movements are demonstrated through photos and step-by-step instructions. Warm-up exercises as well as tips on selecting a school are offered.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Championship Techniques by Jean Jacques Machado (2004): This guide to grappling presents jiu-jitsu practitioners with 112 advanced positions as the tools to excel in the sports of submission grappling and no-holds-barred fighting.

Karate

Karate is a Japanese martial art using kicks and punches.

Competitive Karate by Adam Gibson (2004): Presents in-depth instruction in the technique, tactics, training methods and mindset that made Bill “Superfoot” Wallace a martial arts legend.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Karate by Randall Hassell (2000): A beginner's guide to the martial art offering advice on choosing a karate school, mastering elementary stances and punches, and preventing injuries.

Karate Techniques & Tactics by Patrick Hickey (1997): A history of karate and how-to manual, this book teaches form, techniques and tactics. The author is an executive officer of the USA Karate Federation.

Mastering Karate by Jerry Beasley (2003): Beasley focuses on the crucial components of advanced karate techniques and skills that will help you develop through the intermediate and advanced ranks. It includes offensive and defensive tactics and strategies, as well as training methods and drills. A section on various teaching styles and methods can be applied immediately to help you become more effective in the dojo.

Kung Fu (also Gung Fu)

Kung Fu is any of the various Chinese arts of self-defense. Kempo is Chinese boxing. The internal styles of Kung Fu (Tai Chi) focus on the chi—the vital energy.

Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense by Bruce Lee (1988): Training, techniques, and theory. Explains the difference between various Gung Fu styles.

Mastering Kempo by William Durbin (2001): Appropriate for beginners and advanced Kempo students, the history and Kempo training are explained. The relationship between various martial art forms is also explained.

The Tao of Gung Fu: A Study in the Way of Chinese Martial Art by Bruce Lee (1997): Explains the many martial arts of China, with Bruce Lee's comments. Descriptions of forms, fitness methodologies, and martial art schools.

Tae Kwon Do

Tae kwon do is a Korean martial art. Known as the art of empty hand fighting, it concentrates on high kicking techniques.

Black Belt Tae Kwon Do: The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Black Belt Martial Art by Yeon Hwan Park and Jon Gerrard (2000): This book is for advanced students of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation style. Among the topics covered are: warm-up, advanced techniques, forms, and sparring strategies. Includes a special section on opening a successful Tae Kwon Do school; official rules of competition; and weight classes, governing bodies, and international organizations and associations.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do by Karen Eden and Keith Yates (1998): With easy-to-understand text and clear line drawings and photos scattered throughout, this layperson's book explains in simple terms the concepts of Tae Kwon Do.

Freestyle Sparring: Techniques and Tactics for a Competitive Edge by Woo Jin Jung (2000): Tae Kwon Do and karate for beginning, intermediate, and advanced marital arts students. Includes detailed instruction of proper technique; drills for refining technique, timing, and conditioning; specific guidelines for tournament competition, including equipment, uniforms, and sparring rules for both Karate and Tae Kwon Do.

Tae Kwon Do: Techniques & Training by Kyong Myong Lee (1996): Learn from two of Tae Kwon Do's foremost teachers-a champion competitor and a world-renowned master instructor. Their clear instruction will help you master 38 of Tae Kwon Do's most effective breakfalls, stances, arm strikes, kicks, blocks, and steps.

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Self Defense Techniques by Bruce Lee and M. Uyehara (1976): After intensive study of different martial arts styles and theories, Lee developed a concept of martial arts called Jeet Kune Do, the way of the intercepting fist. This series of volumes, which has been compiled and organized by his long-time friend, M. Uyehara, utilizes some of the many thousands of pictures from Lee's personal photo files. Uyehara is a former student of Bruce Lee. Other titles in this series include:

Words of the Dragon: Interviews 1958-1973 by Bruce Lee (1997): An anthology of newspaper and magazine interviews with Bruce Lee. Includes explanations and discussion about his life and martial arts.

Films

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (DVD and Videocassette, 1999): In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior gives his magical jade sword, Green Destiny, to his lover to deliver to safe keeping, but it is stolen, and the chase is on to find it.

Drunken Master (DVD, 1979): Jackie Chan stars as a mischievous son of stern Kung Fu master who goes to train under his uncle, a fearsome fighter, and becomes a formidable master as well.

Enter the Dragon (DVD and Videocassette,1973): Bruce Lee penetrates the fortress of a warlord of crime and enters a brutal martial arts tournament in order to avenge the death of his sister.

Fist of Fury (DVD, 1995): A remake of Bruce Lee's The Chinese Connection finds Donnie Yen reprising Lee's role as Chen Jun, a budding martial arts master. When Chen's master is killed by the Japanese, Chen vows revenge and sets off to find the murderer.

The Legend of Drunken Master (DVD, 1994): In this sequel to Drunken Master, Wong Fei-Hong (Chan) is inadvertently caught up in a fight between foreign exporters and those who don't want ancient Chinese artifacts to leave the country.

Websites

Martial-Way: Provides definitions and a history of the different styles of martial arts.

Martial Arts: Includes information on how to pick a style that's right for you, how to find a school, and information about martial arts actors, entertainment, etc. Typical for About.com webpages, though, be prepared for pop-up messages and advertisements.

Martial Arts History Museum: Official site of the first American Martial Arts History Museum, also home to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.


This Special Multimedia Collection last updated on February 19, 2007.