Serge Mol's earlier volume, Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete
Guide to Koryu Jujutsu is already destined to become a classic.
Classical Weaponry of Japan is a continuation of that first book. It is
an in-depth study of more than a hundred exotic special weapons and
associated weapon techniques used by various koryu jujutsu schools. Each
weapon will be shown in photographs accompanied by detailed explanations
about history and usage. The book treats 100 weapons in depth and refers
to 300. Where possible, photos will be included of present-day Japanese
grandmasters demonstrating the way the weapons were used. In addition to
the weapons, the author introduces and explains the characteristics of
about twenty special weapon arts that were developed around these
weapons. The relation of these special weapon arts to other fighting
systems is also discussed. Many of the weapons included in this work
once belonged to secret sections within the secret curriculum of ancient
jujutsu schools or weapons schools. Certain weapons that remained hidden
for centuries have recently been uncovered; Mol includes photos of them
and offers ideas about how they may have been used and even shows
grandmasters demonstrating their use. Others that became well known
around the world, such as the famous shuriken or kusarigama, are
discussed in new ways here. However, the majority of the weapons treated
in Classical Weaponry of Japan are not widely known, and so will be of
great interest to practitioners of Martial Arts and weapon collectors or
enthusiasts. The book is heavily illustrated, with rare photos of
weapons, techniques, ancient text scrolls, illustrated scrolls, and
woodblock prints. It will have a foreword by Tanaka Fumon and one by
another grandmaster who is an expert in the field of secret weapons.
Classical Weaponry of Japan will be the first book in any of the major
Western languages to comprehensively treat the special or secret weapons
that are still known today. |