Title: Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts
Author:
Publisher: Independently published
Publish Date: 2020
Format: Paperback, Digital, Audiobook
Pages: 111
Cover Price: $9.99
ISBN: 979-8558243901
Regardless of the martial art system you study, you could likely list numerous masters who have contributed to your art and current understanding. Whether you study Aikido, Karate, or Jeet Kune Do, your martial art is built on many generations of experimentation and thought. What author Justin Hagen has done is compile cited words from many of the greatest Japanese martial artists. Each chapter in Shodai-Soke focuses on a different martial artist and brings new knowledge brought to you by the old masters and their respective styles.
Pros
The value of this text lies largely in its selection of expert advice. It is entirely comprised of wisdom nuggets you can open and read at any time. This makes it an excellent choice for the martial artist who doesn’t feel he has enough time to accomplish much reading, in addition to those seeking wise words from their martial predecessors.
Sitting in at a little over one hundred pages, it doesn’t take long to read if you want to quickly run through it. However, My advice, would be to slow down and meditate on the words deeply soon after reading them. Let the ideas properly permeate into your brain.
Even though it pulls quotes from martial artists who studied Japanese martial arts, the words from these masters ring true even if you study Cebuano stick fighting, Chinese Boxing, or any other non-Japanese art. These quotes relate to training philosophy, teaching/learning style, the execution of movements, and the overall attitude and practical performance of a martial artist.
It is said that people are a sum of those around them. With that in mind, I’m glad author Justin Hagen is helping us surround ourselves with the company of martial art legends such as Mabuni Kenwa and Mas Oyama.
Keep in mind that these are quotes pulled from other written sources. Each quote has its source listed, making it extremely easy to follow up with your own research into the words of masters.
Cons
I actually have zero complaints about Shodai-Soke. If I were forced to mention a negative, I would simply mention that I wish it were longer. This type of book is one that could easily be expanded to include more masters from more styles, perhaps even masters of Chinese or Korean arts. I respect author Justin Hagen for sticking to Japanese martial arts however, as this seems to be an area he is especially comfortable in.
Conclusion
Need a quick read to add new wisdom to your brain?
Looking for a resource to begin studying the words of Japanese martial art masters?
Simply trying to improve as a martial artist?
If you said “yes” or even nodded your head to any of those questions, be sure to check this book out. Though it is not a long read, this book provides many great lessons on how to train and how to perform as a martial artist!
Books like Shodai-Soke can be excellent resources for martial artists of any style! For an article that delves into another important resource for martial artists, be sure to also read Impact of the Internet on Martial Arts!
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