The katas : the meaning behind the movements
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The katas : the meaning behind the movements
Inner Traditions, c2010
- Other Title
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Les katas : arts martiaux & transformations sociales au Japon
型
Available at 2 libraries
  Aomori
  Iwate
  Miyagi
  Akita
  Yamagata
  Fukushima
  Ibaraki
  Tochigi
  Gunma
  Saitama
  Chiba
  Tokyo
  Kanagawa
  Niigata
  Toyama
  Ishikawa
  Fukui
  Yamanashi
  Nagano
  Gifu
  Shizuoka
  Aichi
  Mie
  Shiga
  Kyoto
  Osaka
  Hyogo
  Nara
  Wakayama
  Tottori
  Shimane
  Okayama
  Hiroshima
  Yamaguchi
  Tokushima
  Kagawa
  Ehime
  Kochi
  Fukuoka
  Saga
  Nagasaki
  Kumamoto
  Oita
  Miyazaki
  Kagoshima
  Okinawa
  Korea
  China
  Thailand
  United Kingdom
  Germany
  Switzerland
  France
  Belgium
  Netherlands
  Sweden
  Norway
  United States of America
Note
"Originally published in French under the title: Les katas : arts martiaux & transformations sociales au Japon by Éditions DésIris, Paris"--T.p. verso
Includes bibliographical references (p. 170-174) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The embodiment of the ancient knowledge that underlies the dedication-to-perfection philosophy of Japan <br>- How mastering these specific movement sequences known as katas provides a way to deepen one's martial arts practice spiritually <br>- Explores the psychological and social importance of the katas in martial arts and Japanese society, including their role in "seppuku" (ritual suicide) <br>- Includes many examples from the lives of famous masters, from the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi to 20th-century poet Yukio Mishima <br>An essential part of the martial arts of Japan, such as sumo and karate, the katas are specific sequences of movement that originated during Sakoku, Japan's period of closure to the outside world from 1633 until 1853. The dedication-to-perfection philosophy of the katas, ubiquitous in Japanese society, is vital to understanding the spiritual aspects of their martial arts as well as other traditional Japanese arts, such as flower arranging, "chadō" (tea ceremonies), and kabuki theater. <br>With examples from the lives of famous masters, from legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi to 20th-century poet Yukio Mishima, this book explores the psychological and social importance of the katas, including their role in "seppuku" (ritual suicide), the student-master relationship, and "gyo" (the point at which the practitioner breaks the mold of the kata and begins to embody it). Looking at their origins in the warrior class and how this pursuit of perfection is ultimately a way to accept the power of death, the author explains how performing the katas transmits ancient knowledge much deeper than just technical movements, providing a way to deepen one's martial arts practice spiritually.
by "Nielsen BookData"