Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Conventions Prologue Introduction 1 * The Art of Killing: Swordsmanship in Medieval Japan 2 * The Art of Living: Early Modern Kenjutsu 3 * The Fall and Rise of Samurai Culture: Kenjutsu's Nationalization 4 * Sharpening the Empire's Claws 5 * Kendo and Sports: Path of Reason or Cultural Treason? 6 * Crossing Swords and Borders: The Global Diffusion of Kendo Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author

Alexander C. Bennett is Professor at Kansai University. He also serves as vice president of the International Naginata Federation, member of the International Committee of the All Japan Kendo Federation, director of the Japanese Academy of Budo, and head coach of New Zealand's national kendo team. He is cofounder and editor in chief of Kendo World.

Reviews

"You'll be fascinated by this quintessential Japanese sport." -- Rashaad Jorden JQ Magazine "In this detailed study of kendo, Alexander Bennett, a highly accomplished (and foreign) practitioner himself, picks apart and analyses the roots and evolution of the martial art." TLS "Kendo: Culture of the Sword is to date the most comprehensive and accessible history of Japanese swordsmanship in any language." -- Wolfram Manzenreiter Social Science Japan Journal "A thorough, engaging, and well-written survey that will remain a classic for decades to come." Journal of Japanese Studies