In *budo--*which can be translated as "the way of brave and enlightened
activity"--martial arts and spirituality merge at the highest level of
skill. Budo Secrets contains the essential teachings of budo's
greatest masters of Kendo, Karate, Judo, Aikido, and other disciplines.
Timely and instructive, these writings are not just for martial
artists--they're for anyone who wants to live life more courageously,
with a greater sense of personal confidence and self-control, and with a
deeper understanding of others.
John Stevens has gathered an eclectic and historically rich collection
of teachings that include principles and practice guidelines from
training manuals and transmission scrolls, excerpts of texts on budo
philosophy, and instructional tales gathered from a number of sources.
Since many of the martial arts masters were also fine painters and
calligraphers and used brush and ink as a teaching medium, Stevens has
included their artwork throughout with explanation and commentary.