Kurikara The Sword and the Serpent

by Evans, John Maki; Zhander, Natanaga

• ISBN13: 9781583942444
• ISBN10: 1583942440
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-12-07
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Summary

InMikkyo-Japanese esoteric Buddhism-the dragon Kurikara symbolizes the internal energy developed through sword practice. Kurikara is a manifestation of the fierce bodhisattva Fudo Myo O, the patron of ascetics and warriors in Japan, who uses his sword to destroy delusions and sever attachments. Fudors"s sword represents the gaining of discriminative power and decisiveness-the ability to cut through illusion and attachment. This leads to the development of an inner energy that allows one to "burn up" all obstacles to spiritual freedom. Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpentsets out the eight basic principles of swordsmanship common to all Japanese sword schools, emphasizing the cultivation of power and mental focus. Accomplished martial artist John Evans provides practical examples from his experience with the sword arts as well asMikkyoandshugendo(mountain asceticism). The first foreign student to train with Nakamura Taisaburo sensei-widely acknowledged as the master of the sword artbattodo-Evans clearly explains how skill such as Nakamurua senseirs"s can be systematically developed throughtanren, exercises that meld "inner" and "outer" power. Filled with fascinating anecdotes from Evansrs"s training in Japan,Kurikarais a useful, inspiring guide to Japanese sword practice and its spiritual underpinnings.

Author Biography

John Maki Evans teaches yoga and battodo in London. He is the director of the Islington Yoga School, which teaches Shadow Yoga, and is head teacher of the Fudokan Battodo dojo, affiliated with the International Battodo Federation. He lives in London.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
Kihon-Basics	p. 1
Kata-Forms	p. 17
Tanren-Forging Power	p. 31
Uchikomi-Striking Targets	p. 49
Tameshigiri-Cutting Targets	p. 57
Kumitachi-Sparring	p. 67
Shinshin Renma-Cultivation of Sensibility	p. 83
Sanmitsu Yuga-Three Secrets Integration	p. 95
Training Weapons	p. 109
Godai Table	p. 111
Tenouchi	p. 113
Sword Nomenclature	p. 117
Safety	p. 119
Glossary	p. 121
Recommended Reading	p. 137
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