Budo books

Of course, when it comes to learning a martial art, nothing beats hard practise. But sometimes – if you suffer from an injury, for example, or you forgot a certain term – it might be really nice to cuddle up on the couch with a beautiful book about your favourite fighting style. For inspiration, here is a list of the books that I have read or plan to read in 2019. Enjoy and please let me know if you have any additions.

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Martial Arts in General:

Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams

The Way to Black Belt: A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid, Rock-Solid Results by Lawrence A. Kane and Kris Wilder

Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts by Sang H. Kim

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George J. Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins (it says Judo in the title, but from what I got from the snopsis, it’s a book about communication and avoiding fights rather than Judo itself)

The Way of the Warrior: Martial Arts and Fighting Styles from Around the World by Chris Crudelli (this is an encyclopedia of more that 300 martial arts styles around the world)

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Budo (Japanese Martial Arts):

The Art of Peace: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido by Morihei Ueshiba

Falling Hard: A Journey Into the World of Judo by Mark Law

Angry White Pyjamas: A Scrawny Oxford Poet Takes Lessons From The Tokyo Riot Police by Robert Twigger  

Karatedo: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi

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Karate:

Introduction to Karate by Shingo Ohgami

Karate Katas of Wadoryu by Shingo Ohgami

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Kendo:

Kendo – Approaches for All Levels by Sotaro Honda

Kendo: A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Swordsmanship by Geoff Salmon

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Kobudo:

Kobudo 1: Bo, Sai by Roland Habersetzer

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Bushido / Samurai:

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

The Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era by Eiji Yoshikawa

Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai by Dave Lowry

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Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts):

The Tao of Jeet Kun Do by Bruce Lee

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Musul (Korean Martial Arts):

A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do by Alex Gillis

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Self Defense:

The Little Black Book of Violence: What Every Young Man Needs to Know About Fighting by Lawrence A. Kane and Kris Wilder

Facing Violence: Praparing for the Unexpected by Rory Miller

Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence by 

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Performance and Health:

A Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth: How to Treat Your Injuries with Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warrior by Tom Bisio 

Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance by Dr. Kelly Starret

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Authors:

Donn F. Draeger (mostly books about Budo, but other styles too)

Mark V. Wiley (mostly books about Filipino martial arts, or health)

Masutatsu Oyama/Mas Oyama (Karate)

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