Ratti and Westbrook present a new direction for the graphic novel in a series that follows the Asian adventures of a Western pilgrim who is influenced by the interaction (sometimes violent) of cultures in the Medieval era. The captivating text, presented in a highly developed aesthetic fictional setting, ensures that this new series will also inform, captivate, and inspire readers.

Tales of the Hermit, Volume III: The Monk and the Samurai, the Sword Maiden, and the Katana that Caused It All

Comics & Graphic Novels

Ratti, Oscar

Westbrook, Adele

Graphic Novels

Via Media Publishing Company

Cheng Man-ch’ing (1902–1975)—also romanized as Zheng Manqing— certainly played a lead role in popularizing tai chi ch'uan throughout the world and greatly influencing the way the art is perceived and practiced. This fact alone should drive all those interested in tai chi to study the man’s history and thought. There is a huge body of writings and video representations of Cheng’s tai chi theory and practice. Unfortunately, much of the available content actually obscures Cheng’s message. The result is that Cheng and his role in tai chi evolution are often not fully understood and faulty conclusions are made. A further result is that many feel either enlightened with what they believe to be true, or they become even more perplexed in who Cheng was as a human and what his tai chi truly embodied. The chapters in this anthology contain rare information about Professor Cheng not available elsewhere, except in their originally published formats in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Most of the articles in the journal were written in an academic style, limiting their acceptance from the general public, which is typically interested in the more accessible popular writing styles. Of course the content here deals not only with the complexities of tai chi theory and practice, but does so in a thick weave of historical and cultural threads. We are republishing the journal articles in book format so all with a sincere interest in tai chi history, theory, and practice can benefit from the content, particularly those interested in the Cheng Man-ch’ing tradition. Each author is uniquely qualified for producing some of the highest-quality writings in this specialized area.

Cheng Man-ch'ing and T'ai Chi: Echoes in the Hall of Happiness

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Davis, Barbara

Smith, Robert W.

Lo, Benjamin

Mason, Russ

Sutton, Nigel

Xi, Yizhong

Yuan, Weiming

Exercise & Fitness

This book is a collection of personal accounts of growing up in an Italian-American home in an inter-city neighborhood of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. Accompanying the text are 52 pictures of an historical era many Americans hold close to their hearts and consider the most precious of their lives. The book fondly enlivens themes of America's melting pot.  The author, a gifted storyteller, writes about topics that range from his parents' roots in Italy to life in Catholic schools' from how teanagers dressed when he was a boy to how U.S. military personnel are honored in American cemeteries throughout the world. The love of family, regard for old friends and classmates, and the importance of "toots" are threads that are woven throughout the book.

Flashbacks: From the Other Side of the Tracks

History

Carlotti, Gino

Americas

When we think of martial arts in “old China,” we get visions of violent convulsions of dynastic change, devastating rebellions, civil wars, and banditry. Throughout the centuries there was a need for masters who possessed highly effective martial skills for positions in the military, protection services, and law enforcement. Out of this historical reality emerged a national treasure we call taijiquan. Chen t’ai chi's mystique remains fundamentally a true fighting art, including bare-handed forms and applications, plus an arsenal of weapons that includes the spear, straight sword, broadsword, and halberd. Then there are the associated training methods used to master this complete system, such as qigong, push-hands, and standing post. All of these practices are infused with knowledge associated with the physical and mental aspects of the human condition. Any serious taiji practitioner or scholar should have some understanding of the Chen family roots to get a vision of the whole tree. This two-volume anthology brings much of the rich heritage conveniently together for your reading. In this first volume, prepare yourself to sit at the feet of the main representatives of the Chen Village, including Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing, and Wang Xi’an. Perhaps of greater importance are the clear explanations outlining each step in the learning process toward mastering Chen-style t’ai chi. Chapters included here clarify what proper training entails and why much time and effort (gongfu) are necessary to gain results.

Chen T'ai Chi, Volume 1: Traditional Instructions from the Chen Village

DeMarco, Michael

Cordes, Asr

Berwich, Stephan

Gaffney, David

O'Conner, Miriam

Stubenbaum, Dietmar

Wong, Jiaxiang

The Chinese double-edged straight sword (jian), the "gentleman of weapons," is the focus of this e-book. There are a growing number of people interested in this fascinating weapon, its history, and its use. For your convenience, this anthology assembles the best articles on this subject as published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Chapters 1 and 2 were written by Dr. Richard Pegg, a scholar of Asian studies and art curator with over thirty years of studies in the martial arts. With sound academic and practical experience in swordsmanship, Dr. Pegg writes here on ancient Chinese bronze swords and also on the parallels of Chinese calligraphy and swordplay. The analysis and presentation of the calligraphic illustrations give insight into the physical execution of sword movement. These superb presentations provide a perspective that is useful for understanding the technical and historical significance of the sword arts in China. In the next chapter, Tony Yang, Andy Lianto, and Robert Figler give an excellent overview of the fundamentals of training with the straight sword. This article outlines some of the most famous sword forms in history, Liu Yunqiao's lineage, solo and two-person practice, as well as details on fundamental techniques and their combinations. For all intents and purposes, the practice and perfection of these fundamentals make one a master of the sword. Over 140 photos are used just in this chapter to illustrate the techniques. Stephan Berwick's chapter details the history and practice of a famous straight sword system, the Qingping (Green Duckweed). The study meshes Chinese- and English-sourced research and a revealing interview with Lu Junhai-the grandmaster of this unique sword system. The interview is conducted by America's senior Qingping disciples, Reza Momenan and Hon Lee. If you are a serious practitioner of the Chinese double-edged straight sword and have an interest in its history and techniques, you'll enjoy each chapter included in this anthology. May it be a handy reference work for information as well as a source of inspiration for actual sword practice.

Chinese Swords: An Ancient Tradition and Modern Training

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Yang, Tony

Lianto, Andy

Berwick, Stephan

Pegg, Richard

Figler, Robert

Antiques & Collectibles

When we think of martial arts in “old China,” we get visions of violent convulsions of dynastic change, devastating rebellions, civil wars, and banditry. Throughout the centuries there was a need for masters who possessed highly effective martial skills for positions in the military, protection services, and law enforcement. Out of this historical reality emerged a national treasure we call taijiquan. Chen t’ai chi's mystique remains fundamentally a true fighting art, including bare-handed forms and applications, plus an arsenal of weapons that includes the spear, straight sword, broadsword, and halberd. Then there are the associated training methods used to master this complete system, such as qigong, push-hands, and standing post. All of these practices are infused with knowledge associated with the physical and mental aspects of the human condition. Any serious taiji practitioner or scholar should have some understanding of the Chen family roots to get a vision of the whole tree. This two-volume anthology brings much of the rich heritage conveniently together for your reading. In this second volume, there is a special emphasis on nurturing the internal aspects for health as well as for combative skills. You will find clear explanations outlining each step in the learning process toward mastering Chen-style t’ai chi. Chapters included here clarify what proper training entails and why much time and effort (gongfu) are necessary to gain results.

Chen T'ai Chi: : Traditional Instructions from the Chen Village, Volume 2

Seidman, Yaron

Tomlinson, Rachel

Baek, Bosco

Matthews, A. Edwin

Rosario-Graycar, Michael

Wallace,Adam

A kata is much like a family jewel that has passed down through generations. It holds a significance that is difficult to decipher, and many dispute the meaning of every micro movement it contains. We are thrilled to present a two-volume book on this subject. If katas are learning tools that pass down knowledge of a valued art, then the authors included in this anthology can certainly facilitate the learning process for all interested in karate. Each author has excellent experience in the field, having studied directly under masters, often in Okinawa. In addition to their long years of physical participation in the school of hard knocks, their depth of scholarly research into the encompassing culture allows their writings to illuminate many aspects of kata practice that normally go unnoticed. In our quest to better understand the full significance of kata practice, we must take a serious look at why old masters formulated the routines. How can kata practice better our health and promise to hone our self-defense skills? Each chapter in this anthology deal with the principles that guide kata practice. Hopefully the reading will reveal some of the secrets to improve techniques. As with other martial traditions, some insights cannot be shared through written word. Like good teachers, may the chapters here inspire you to look deeper into kata practice.

Karate Kata - Vol. 1: For the Transmission of High-Level Combative Skills

Sports & Outdoors

Donohue, John

Hopkins, Giles

Labbate, Marvin

Tóth, Róbert

Individual Sports

A kata is much like a family mewl that has passed down through generations. It holds a significance that is difficult to decipher, and many dispute the meaning of every micro movement it contains. We are thrilled to present a two-volume book on this subject. If katas are learning tools that pass down knowledge of a valued art, then the authors included in this anthology can certainly facilitate the learning process for all interested in karate. Each author has excellent experience in the field, having studied directly under masters, often in Okinawa. In addition to their long years of physical participation in the school of hard knocks, their depth of scholarly research into the encompassing culture allows their writings to illuminate many aspects of kata practice that normally go unnoticed. In our quest to better understand the full significance of kata practice, we must take a serious look at why old masters formulated the routines. How can kata practice better our health and promise to hone our self-defense skills? Each chapter in this anthology deals with the principles that guide kata practice. Hopefully the reading will reveal some of the secrets to improving techniques. As with other martial traditions, some insights cannot be shared through written word. Like good teachers, may the chapters here inspire you to look deeper into kata practice.

Karate Kata - Vol. 2: For the Transmission of High-Level Combative Skills

McKenna, Mario

Campbell, Perry

Câmara, F. Portela

The origins of Asian martial arts in the United States reach back to the Pacific Rim and immigration. This anthology is dedicated to the profoundly significant period-roughly from mid-eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century-in which gifted Japanese taught their brand of jujutsu/judo to small groups that gradually disseminated knowledge of combatives into the American mainstream. Wingard provides insightful coverage of the "manly arts" in America as they swept the land along with moving populations. Hlinak analyzes Japanese-American immigration into the American West, specifically by examining a series of contests between judoka and wrestlers from 1900 to 1920 in California. Svinth details the establishment and functioning of two important dojos in the Seattle, Washington, area, and their exhibitions, intraclub tournaments, and war-time influences on practice. Webb's chapter focuses on one of the early prime movers for the growth and establishment of judo in America: Vincent Tamura. His practice has roots in ancient Heike-ryu jujutsu. Behrendt writes about polishing judo skills as an aid to build character in the fashion that Kodokan judo founder Kano Jigaro intended. In these chapters you will find the early hotbeds of jujutsu/judo in America and see how these arts tumbled with European-American "manly arts," making their own way across the country to form and strengthen judo centers in various states. The authors have utilized their scholarly and practical experience to present a rare view of judo as it traversed the Pacific to enrich American culture. Their writings should clarify the early history of judo in America and bring both practitioners and armchair scholars a deeper appreciation for the art.

Judo & American Culture: Prelude, Acceptance, Embodiment

Svinth M.A., Joseph

Wingard M.Ed., Geoffrey

Hlinak J.D., Matt

Webb M.A., James

Behrendt, James

The famed samurai sword (nihonto) represents the pinnacle of bladed weaponry in the Japanese warrior's arsenal. This book addresses the sword's intrinsic historic, monetary, military, and artistic values.The seven chapters for this particular anthology were selected from materials published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Tharp's chapter details aspects of the nihonto that make it unique in the world as a valued objet d'art, protected by law codes specifically written to preserve these cultural relics even when made by contemporary master smiths. DiCristofano writes on sword sketchings, which allow the human eye to view details of the sword blade often unnoticed because of the subtlety inherent in the work. Hoshino's chapter presents a overview of various blade types. His focus on blades leads to the next chapter by Richard Babin on how to make a scabbard. "Test cutting" provides proof of the practicalily of the sword and swordsman's technique. Peter Ward utilized an ancient diagram of main targets for body cuts and modern technology to actually view the inner structures of the blade's path along these targets. Peritz's chapter presents the Ainu, an indigenous group in Japan. They incorporated blades made by Japanese smiths according to their own taste. Goedkoop's chapter deals with another medium, as the master craftsman creates wooden replicas of Japanese swords. As you read other books and articles about Japanese swords, or practice kendo or iaido, or see highly polished blades in a museum, the chapters here will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of nihonto and their intrinsic value.

Intrinsic Values of the Japanese Sword

WARD, PETER

Babin, Richard

DiCristofano, Anthony

Tharp, Andrew

Hoshino, Harunaka

Peritz, Curt

Goedkoop, James

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