Reinhard Kammer Knihy

Exploring the profound significance of the sword in Japanese culture, this classic text delves into its historical evolution from ritualistic objects to symbols of the warrior class. It highlights the intricate technical skills and philosophical underpinnings of swordsmanship, linking it to Zen practices aimed at enlightenment and Confucian ideals of state service. The book provides a detailed account of the rigorous training and etiquette associated with this esteemed art form, emphasizing its status as a cherished national heritage.

The sword has played an important role in the Japanese consciousness since ancient times. The earliest swords, made of bronze or stone, were clearly, by their design and form, used for ritualistic purposes rather than as weapons. Later, swords were associated only with the warrior class, and lack of physical strength and battle experience was compensated for by handling the sword in a way that was technically expert. Besides this sacred and artistic status, swordsmanship also acquired a philosophical reinforcement, which ultimately made it one of the Zen 'ways'. Zen Buddhism related the correct practice of swordsmanship to exercises for attaining enlightenment and selfishness, while Confucianism, emphasizing the ethical meaning, equated it to service to the state. This classic text, first published in English in 1978, includes a history of the development and an interpretation of Japanese swordsmanship, now esteemed as an art and honoured as a national heritage. It describes in detail the long, intensive and specialized training and etiquette involved, emphasizing and explaining the importance of both Zen and Confucian ideas and beliefs.

Das Buch bietet eine umfassende Einführung in Kendo, die Kunst des Schwertführens, die vom Zen-Geist geprägt ist. Es betont die Selbstüberwindung und die Entwicklung von Geistesgegenwart, Reaktionsfähigkeit und Furchtlosigkeit, anstatt den Gegner im Kampf zu besiegen.