Bujutsu: An Illustrated Guide - Paperback

by Inoguchi Matsunosuke (Author), Eric Shahan (Author)

The first illustrated guide to Japanese martial arts. Bujutsu was first published in 1887 and became a best seller, going through over twenty editions and spawning many subsequent volumes. The full title of Bujutsu is 兵法要務：柔術剣棒図解秘訣 Fundamentals of Military Strategy: Secrets of Jujutsu, Kenjutsu & Bojutsu: An Illustrated Guide. The author, Inoguchi Matsunosuke, was born into a Samurai family that taught martial arts to Samurai for generations.

The book includes illustrated techniques to Classical Japanese martial arts:

• Tenjin Shinyo School Jujutsu
• Kenjutsu (long and short sword)
• Bojutsu (wooden staff and half-staff)
• Hojo (rope binding techniques)

The book also includes marital arts philosophy, weather prediction and how to harness supernatural powers. Following the publication of this book, numerous other volumes related to Jujutsu, Kenjutsu and other fighting arts began to emerge.