The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts: And Other TalesShambhala Publications, 13 nov 2012 - 208 pagine This collection of parables written by an eighteenth-century samurai is a classic of martial arts literature. The tales are concerned with themes such as perception of conflict, self-transformation, the cultivation of chi (life energy), and understanding yin and yang. Some of the parables seem light and fanciful, but they offer the reader valuable lessons on the fundamental principles of the martial arts; “The Mysterious Technique of the Cat” is iconic. The “demon” in the title story refers to the mythical tengu, who guard the secrets of swordsmanship. A swordsman travels to Mt. Kurama, famous for being inhabited by tengu, and in a series of conversations he learns about mushin (no-mind), strategy, the transformation of chi, and how the path of the sword leads to the understanding of life itself. The author, Issai Chozanshi, had a deep understanding of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto, as well as insight into the central role of chi in the universe—points that are succinctly explained in William Scott Wilson’s fine introduction and extensive endnotes. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to truly understand the philosophical underpinnings of martial arts, and how these principles relate to our existence. |
Altre edizioni - Visualizza tutto
The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts: A Graphic Novel Sean Michael Wilson,Issai Chozanshi Anteprima limitata - 2013 |
Parole e frasi comuni
able Amoghasiddhi ancient attached become birds Buddha Buddhist called Chinese Chozanshi Chuang Tzu clever wit complete freedom Confucian Confucius confused consciousness considered creation and metamorphosis cucumber cultivate Daikokuten death demon continued Demon’s Sermon desire discipline enlightened entrust essence of mind evil fundamental grasp group asked harmony Heaven and Earth Japan kanji Learning legs Lieh Tzu Life-Giving Sword live look man’s manifest martial artist martial arts matter means Mencius mind and ch’i Miyamoto Musashi mountains move muddy ch’i mysterious function nature Nevertheless No-Mind obstructions one’s opponent people’s person perversity practical application priest province respond sages samurai self-nature Shugendo simply skill spear spirit spiritual clarity spontaneity strategy superficial knowledge swordsman swordsmanship Takuan Takuan Sōhō Tao Te Ching Taoist teaching tengu there’s thought Thousand Things transformation tree Tzu’s unable understand Yagyu Munenori yamabushi Yen Yuan yin and yang