from cover Complete Kendo is a thorough introduction to the Japanese martial way of the sword and a guided tour of the principles and philosophy upon which the art is founded. John Donohue covers everything from the care and handling of hakama, the pleated trousers worn by kendoka (practitioners of kendo), to the methods of cultivating the meditative state of mushin (no mind), all in an easy conversational dialogue that is a great pleasure to read. Structured to echo the organization of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, Complete Kendo is a modern version of the swordsman's primer by a martial artist skilled not only in the art of kendo but, like Musashi, in many traditional Japanese arts, and with a superb understanding of the martial tradition and culture of Japan. The author uses lessons learned from a long career of teaching martial arts and academic subjects to impart clearly and concisely the fundamentals of kendo and the martial way. With explanatory line drawings by Kathleen Sweeney illustrating significant points of discussion, a handy glossary of kendo terminology and related concepts, and an unusually helpful bibliography, Complete Kendo is an essential volume for every kendoka's personal library. John J. Donohue is an anthropologist specializing in the study of Japanese culture, history, and language who also has an extensive background as a student of the traditional martial arts of karatedo, judo, aikido, and iaido. A professor and academic dean at Medaille College, the associate editor of the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, and a long-time member of the Buffalo, New York, Kendo Club, Donohue brings the rigorous academic standards of his profession to his avocation, practicing and writing about the martial arts.

Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Part One: Ground 1. Sword and Spirit 2. The Way of the Sword 3. Equipment-The Uniform; Training Weapons; Body Armor 4. The Community of Learners-Kendo's development; The Training Hall/Dojo; The Dojo Hierarchy; The Goals of Training Part Two: Water The Lesson 1. Beginnings-Entering the Dojo; Warmups; Bow In 2. Basics/Kihon-Stance/Kamae; Footwork/Ashisabaki; Gripping the Shinai/Static Suburi; Dynamic Suburi; Striking Points; Spirit 3. Techniques/Waza-Striking Practice 4. Practice/Keiko-Uchikomi; Kirikaeshi; Free Sparring/Jiyu Renshu 5. The Close Part Three: Fire 1. Distance 2. Timing 3. Attacks and Defense-Attacks/Shikake Waza (Multiple Attacks/Nidan and Sandan Waza, Warding Off Attack/Harai Waza; Forestalling Attack/Debana Waza); Receiving Techniques/Oji Waza (Dodging/Nuki Waza; Parries; Up Parry/Suriage Waza; Downward Parry/Uchiotoshi Waza; Lateral Parry/Kaeshi Waza); Close Quarters/Tsuba Zerai (Pushing Off Attack/Hiki Waza); Zanshin; Spirit 4. The Shiai-The Psychodynamics of Competition (Pride; Anger and Excitement; Winning and Losing) Part Four: Wind 1. Tradition 2. Historical Development 3. Kata-The Spirit of Kata; The Kendo no Kata (Bokken; Sage-to; Bowing In; Stepping In and Stepping Out); Overview: The First Five Kata (Ipponme; Nihonme; Sanbonme; Yohonme; Gohonme); Performance Dynamics Part Five: Void Glossary Index