Announcing the Publication of Old School, an Expanded 2nd Edition

[Ellis Amdur]

I'm happy to announce the publication of Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions - Expanded Edition.
From the publisher:

Koryū, literally, ‘old flow from the past,’ refers to Japanese martial traditions that predate the sweeping cultural changes that followed the Meiji Restoration of 1868. They generally have a very different character and tone from modern martial arts, such as kendō, judō or aikidō which followed. More than the study of antique weapons, self-defense or a form of athletics, these martial traditions are a cultural legacy and a window to another time and place.

In the first edition of Old School, Ellis Amdur, a renowned martial arts researcher, and himself an instructor in two different surviving koryū, gave readers a rare glimpse into feudal Japanese warrior arts, both as they were in the past and as they live on today. Nearly a decade later, he returns to the subject in this new, greatly expanded edition, bringing readers inside the dojōs of a number ancient schools, providing details analysis of the evolution and morphology of uniquely Japanese weaponry, addressing the myth and reality of Japan's naginata-wielding warrior women, and discussing the modern relevance of the blood oaths, magical ritual and mysticism that often permeate the koryū. Finally, he looks at the challenge of preservation and transmission, especially as more and more practitioners of the koryū exist outside of Japan itself.

Writing with a combination of the initiate’s passion for his subject, and the scientist’s rigorous search for the truth, Amdur asks critically: do the ancient traditions still meet the objectives of their founders? Are they successfully passing their ancient legacy down to the next generation?

Over a third larger than the first edition and filled with new artwork and photography, Old School: Japanese Martial Traditions Expanded Edition will be an invaluable addition to the library of old readers and new alike.

[pgsmith]

Thanks for the heads up Ellis. Of course, it came just a little late for me to put it on my Christmas list ....

[Dean Whittle]

Order placed, I look forward to reading it.

With respect

[Ellis Amdur]

Thank you. If you - or anyone else - has questions about anything in the book, please feel free to post them in this sub-forum.

[P Goldsbury]

Hello Ellis,

I have just ordered a signed copy of the book. Actually, the shipping costs were more than the price of the book. So please sign it nicely.


Best wishes,

PAG

[Ellis Amdur]

With my best hanko

[Hissho]

I just decided that since I know the author, maybe I'll just pay him directly for one...

[Ellis Amdur]

Just so all know, I have no copies to sell. Everything goes through the publisher. And I've tried to keep out of the entire issue of shipping and the like. It's my understanding that there have been some <notices> given to those who live in Alaska and Hawaii, because if one orders media mail, it goes by boat. So people were told of the costs of air delivery. But seriously, beyond that, I've no idea how things are shipped, and by what means.

Ellis Amdur

[Dean Whittle]

Peter,

Thank you, I've received the book now, the publishers indicated that the delay was the result of a last minute re-print.

Ellis,

No doubt like many other readers I tucked into Chapters 1 and 12 first. Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu has held a fascination for me since I first saw The Way of the Warrior back in the 80s and I’ve subsequently read many articles and books, seen much footage of the school and even communicated with a practitioner for a while. So I was amazed at your revelation about the standardization of the curriculum by Hayashi Yazaemon stemming from the variance taught by different shihan. And then I was glad I was sitting down when you revealed the existence of the Noda-ha Katori Shinto ryu, and the fact that it has sections of curriculum no longer taught in the mainline.

Your respectful disclosures reminded me of Stanley Pranin’s work in revealing the truth about the depth of influence Daito ryu had on the creation of Ueshiba’s Aikido which significantly contradicted the Aiki-Kai’s stance.

Thank you for reworking what was already such a wonderful book with additional insight. I’m looking forward to the publication of the 2nd edition of Duelling with O’Sensei, a book that I regularly revisit.

With respect

[nicojo]

I got my copy of Old School 2.0 just this weekend and have enjoyed it very much. The quality of the pictures and print type alone make it a significant upgrade from the first run. But more than this, the expanded information is outstanding and I highly recommend it, whether one has the first edition or has not read Ellis Amdur's work before. And Freelance got it to me quite quickly with no issues. I missed out on a signed copy, but am very happy to have this one.