Over the years I have heard different Chinese martial artist suggest if you want depth you should read Heroes of the Marsh, Journey to the West etc. Also study the Tang poets. It will not help with actual techniques but the depth of culture will aid your understanding. Most of the the recommendations I get from Japanese martial artist are more like study Book of Five Rings or look at the kanji for the techniques or something like look at flower arranging. Does anyone think their martial arts will have more depth by studying Tale of Genji or Basho's poems? Len McCoy