Magazine: "Hiden Budo & Bujutsu"

[Jiaozi]

A friend of mine is in Tokyo now. Do any of you know any bookshops where you can buy current and previous copies of the Hiden magazine.

Can you recommend any other Japanese magazines on Koryu Budo?

Thanks.

[william jensen]

Any of the large bookstores in Tokyo should carry the Hiden magazine (Kinokuniya, Sanseido, Maruzen, etc.)
As for back issues, try the Shosen Book Tower (apologies if that's not the proper name - it's been more than two
years since I was there) which is just south of Akihabara Station on Showa Dori and has an extensive stock. The store also carries the Budokan's videos of the various classical ryu.

Regards,

Wm Jensen

[AAC]

....hummmmm, like at about any bookstore in Japan. Your friend should have no problem in Tokyo. "Hiden Budo & Bujutsu" is published by BAB (Japan Shuppan Kyoku) They do "not" have overseas subscriptions.. (that was a few years ago when I contacted the company) Sence then I've done just about everything, to secure copies of "HIDEN". Up untill now it's been a major pain. If your looking for more than one issue try Sasugabooks at www.sasugabooks.com They have 1/year and 6/months packages at a markup price, but that includes shipping. I'll leave the quality of infomation, for others to debate. (hey... it does have cool photos) Also, the publication "FURYU"... is the BEST English budo journal. Make sure to check it out!

[richie]

Does anyone have any back issues of Hiden for sale?
Prob not, but it's worth asking. Thanks.


R. Rivera

[W.Bodiford]

Many bookstores in Tokyo maintain large sections on martial arts. For back issues of magazines and books that are out of print, though, in my experience the best one usually is Takayama Honten in the Jinbocho used book town section of Kanda. Takayama Honten is located in the ground level of the multi-story building known as "Kanda Kosho Sentaa (Center)." It is about 30 feet West from the A-6 exit out of the Jinbocho subway station. Their phone number is: 03-3261-2661.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Jiaozi]

Thank you all for the information you so kindly provided. I'm anxious to see which magazines my friend could obtain and brush up my Japanese.

[Joe Crumley]

Are you still in Tennessee?

[John Lindsey]

Last month in Japan, like on all my visits, I sifted through the back issues of Hiden magazine to see if there are any worth buying. Granted, I cannot read Japanese, but I have found some of them of value in the past, mostly for some rare photos or artwork, or interviews worth having translated.

I only found two worth getting this time. Sadly, the magazine seems to be having problems with content. Maybe the whole notion of having koryu expose their "hiden" in a magazine is flawed.

Take for example the latest issue which features a photo of a Japanese actor holding a sword. He looks a bit uncomfortable with it, but I don't know how much training he has had...

I noticed that they now call it Hiden budo and bujutsu.

Oh, and the Bujinkan is getting a lot of coverage.

[WillyNinja]

That must really chap your ass, Hatsumi's getting monthly coverage in Hiden. I was looking at it, he gets quite a little spread, they even cover the US TaiKai.

How's that feel? I guess winning some court case over some silly Menkyo ain't what it's about, hmmm? Real Mastery might have nothing to do with how many students of Takamatsu you chase around and ass kiss 'til they cough up some Menkyo so you'll leave them alone. I bet they must have been chapped about how Takamatsu-sensei just passed them all up too and handed it all to Hatsumi. Makes ya think, huh? Makes you wonder? and chaps your ass?

-RedNeck Willy

[WillyNinja]

If you are at Shibuya Station, there's the starbucks right under the three big TV screens. Well, walk across the street from the station, at the Starbucks, take the right fork, about two blocks up on the right there's a 6-floor bookstore, if I remember correctly, it has a large sign at street level that says BOOKS. Anyway, on the fourth or fifth floor, there's a whole budo section, vids, books, mags, they have tons of back issues, usually for the last two or three years, they keep it in stock pretty regularly.

[John Lindsey]

No, it doesn't chap my ass. What does is posts like yours. It is so off base that its not worth replying to really.

[Harold James]

Originally posted by John Lindsey


Sadly, the magazine seems to be having problems with content. Maybe the whole notion of having koryu expose their "hiden" in a magazine is flawed.

Yes, the magazine is not exactly consistant in quality. One must pick and choose... look first and if there is something worth the 990 yen then buy it. But occasionally there is something worth reading in it. It does have a current events listing, but that's really only good if one lives in Japan.

And yes, THE WHOLE NOTION OF HAVING KORYU EXPOSE THEIR "HIDEN" IN A MAGAZINE IS FLAWED.

[jtweymo]

Okay things have changed, hopefully I am doing this right.
That was quite a shot that Mr. linsdey took, sorry about
that John. "Chap his ass"?!? Good Lord man, how rude.

[Paul Steadman]

Hi everyone,

John posted: ......"Maybe the whole notion of having koryu expose their "hiden" in a magazine is flawed."

Surely you're not suggesting that the more legit koryu styles featured in "Hiden Koryu BUjutsu" are really exposing their hiden or okuden/oku-iri teachings are you?

Cheers,

Paul Steadman

[John Lindsey]

Paul,

Of course not. My point is that the name of the magazine is more of a marketing idea rather than a "mission statement" of the company. Obviously they are a business and are in the business of selling magazines and videos.

It seems to me that their criteria for article selection is growing wider.

Heck, I saw a picture of Meik Skoss in it one time, sitting next to what I think was a Mac computer. I am waiting to get a call from them about doing an article about e-budo. But, since they don't pay for articles (from what I heard) I might not be interested .

The weirdest thing I saw on it was a certain fellow who looked to be teaching some form of aiki based art in which his ki would send his students tumbling backwards down a soccer field.

They do have a sense of humor though...they always put a Genbukan video advert at the end of Hatsumi Sensei's articles . Oh, and I think it is good to see Hatsumi get so much press. Though some might not like his methods, his message often rings true to those who take the time to understand it.