Persimmon Wind Martial Artist's Journey

by Dave Lowry

Book Overview

A moving account of the journey of a martial artist, or bugeisha. It is the author's own story of his continuing growth as he walks along the trail that leads to fulfilment, and faces the challenge of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804831424
• ISBN13: 9780804831420
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Interesting account

I enjoyed Lowry's account of his travels in Japan, which he uses to explain and illuminate many aspects of Japanese martial (and also not so martial) culture, ranging from flower arranging to iaijutsu and naginatajutsu, and others. I especially liked his account of training in a rural iai school in which the teachers, although possessing decades of experience (as well as comparable skill), still described themselves as "students" since they were a rural dojo and many hadn't been able to formally test for high rank, although they probably would have qualified. That didn't keep them from finding and correcting the slightest faults with his technique, and he found the workouts both exhaustive and exhausting at this humble and bucolic dojo. You can't read one of Lowry's books without learning a lot about Japanese history, philosophy, and martial arts, and this one is no different.

Enjoyable, but not the author's best work

This is the third book I've read, and it is the one that I enjoyed the least. Yet, I still give it 4 stars!This is an account of the author's pilgrimage to Japan to visit his sensei in the art of swordsmanship and to visit various places important to his sensei and to their school of swordsmanship. Thus, the book is a kind of travelog of various obscure villages, gravesites and temples. Doesn't sound too promising, does it? Yet, the author infuses this account of his travels and experiences with sufficient insight and wisdom to entertain and inform. Also, it gives a finely textured account of the Japanese heartland that few westerners ever get to experience. Yes, at times the author is a bit long-winded and meandering. To fully appreciate this book, it would be helpful to read Autumn Lighting, the wonderful biographical account of his training in Japanese swordsmanship, begun in the American Midwest when he was an adolescent. There is much information in Autumn Lightning about the traditions, history, and founders of the author's style of martial art that makes reading Persimmon Wind a much richer experience.

Great Book!

Several years ago, in "Autumn Lightning," Dave Lowry wrote of his experiences growing up as a young American whom had been informally "adopted" into the family of a Japanese martial arts teacher. It was a fascinating, semi-biographical account that delved into the true nature of the Japanese martial arts experience. Now, a number of years later, he has returned with a sequel-"Persimmon Wind-A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan." In "Persimmon Wind," Mr. Lowry details his first visit to Japan, to reunite with his old teacher of Japanese Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship. Despite his authorship of several fine books, including "Sword and Brush", this is easily Dave Lowry's finest work.Lovers of fine biographies, martial arts enthusiasts, folks interested in Japanese culture--all will enjoy "Persimmon Wind." The biographical aspect of this work is entertaining. Dave Lowry's understanding of classical martial arts and ways is superb as well. He makes a point of explaining these arts in such a way that both experienced practitioners and the general public will be able to get something out of the text. And "Persimmon Wind" will evoke fond memories from anyone that have ever been to Kyoto, and it will fascinate those that have always dreamed of visiting the Japanese island nation.The only weak point in the book is the publisher's failure to provide adequate proofreading. A surprising number of typos are found for a book issued by a mainstream publisher like Charles E. Tuttle. This quibble aside, "Persimmon Wind" is a unique book-one that can be enjoyed by an unusually wide cross-section of readers. In short, it is much more than a typical "martial arts book."

a must for all martial artists

Dave Lowry writes of an education which many martial artists would give their right arm to experience. His writing style allows the reader to feel as if he is right there experiencing the same moments. This is not a how to philosphy book for the beginning martial artist. It describes the experiences of a master practitioner getting to go to Japan and spend time with his Sensei.