From the tenth century onwards the emperors of Japan gradually lost power. The local lords or clan chiefs waged ceaseless war against each other, while the court, wholly steeped in Chinese culture, seemed to take no further interest in the affairs of the nation. In 1191 the Minamoto clan mastered the disturbances and finally imposed its rule. Hard work, respect for the hierarchy, the cult of nationalism, a sense of self-sacrifice and duty – such was the new trend. The Buddhist doctrine of Zen made its appearance. It gave mystical support to the samurai, and the Japanese spirit was henceforth directed towards a political and religious asceticism which had an enormous influence on all aspects of art, thought and daily life. An acknowledged authority on the ‘classical’ period of Japanese history, the author reveals what the life of the Japanese people was like during these five centuries, and shows how a transformation of heart and mind produced a civilization as original as it was profound.   

Daily Life in Japan: At The Time of the Samurai, 1185-1603

Frédéric, Louis

Reference

Routledge

A reference text with entries which cover all aspects of the martial arts - historical, technical and biographical, with examination syllabuses for grading purposes and rules of contest. Features include cross references outlining the relationship between the martial arts and styles of one country to those of another. The various illustrations depict different techniques, and present portraits and action shots of the great martial arts masters. The book is intended for students of the martial arts. The editor and translator, Paul Crompton, has written a number of other books; these include "Karate Training Methods", "Kung Fu Theory and Practice", "Chinese Soft Exercise" and "T'ai Chi for Two".

A Dictionary of the Martial Arts

Athlone Press

From well-known forms such as ju-jutsu, karate, tae-kwon-do, aikido, t'ai-chi chu'an, and kung-fu to the less familiar practices of kyudo, kendo, and yabusame, this encyclopedic reference defines the terms and describes the moves, motivations, and contest rules for all of the major martial arts. Comprehensive and well-illustrated, its alphabetically arranged entries cover not only the technical and historical details of each martial art, but a wide range of weaponry, influential practitioners from Miyamoto Musashi to Bruce Lee, techniques such as ibuki and ki-ai, and concepts such as do, qi, shen, and wa. Hundreds of diagrams and drawings illustrate the finer points of all techniques. Cross references further clarify the relationships between the martial arts of one country and another and between related styles. Clear and detailed in its explanations, this is the book that no martial-arts enthusiast can do without.

Sports & Outdoors

Individual Sports

Dover Publications

"Knowing Japan and the Japanese better," Louis Frédéric states in the introduction to this encyclopedia, "is one of the necessities of modern life." The Japanese have a profound knowledge of every aspect and detail of Western societies. Unfortunately, we in the West cannot say the same about our knowledge of Japan. We tend to see Japan through a veil of exoticism, as a land of ancient customs and exquisite arts; or we view it as a powerful contributor to the global economy, the source of cutting-edge electronics and innovative management techniques. To go beyond these clichés, we must begin to see how apparently contradictory aspects of modern Japanese culture spring from the country's evolution through more than two millennia of history. 
 This richly detailed yet concise encyclopedia is a guide to the full range of Japanese history and civilization, from the dawn of its prehistory to today, providing clear and accessible information on society and institutions, commerce and industry, sciences, sports, and politics, with particular emphasis on religion, material culture, and the arts. The volume is enhanced by maps and illustrations, along with a detailed chronology of more than 2,000 years of Japanese history and a comprehensive bibliography. Cross-references and an index help the reader trace themes from one article to the next. 
 Japan Encyclopedia will be an indispensable one-volume reference for students, scholars, travelers, journalists, and anyone who wishes to learn more about the past and present of this great world civilization.

Japan Encyclopedia (Harvard University Press Reference Library)

History

Asia

Belknap Press

Belknap Press of Harvard University Press

Japan

Tomasevic, Nebojsa Bato

RANDOM, MICHEL

Vartabedijan, Miodrag

DAVID CHARLES PLC

Dictionary of the Martial Arts

Tuttle Pub

347 pages : illustrations (most colour, some folding) ; 33 cm.

Borobudur

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

Abbeville Press

Discusses terminology, weapons, and history, introduces individuals involved in the sport, and offers explanations for some of the movements

Examines Japan's history, architecture, tradition, sports and martial arts, entertainment and family life

Japan: art and civilization

Abrams

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