I just finished reading the book "Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture" by Karl Friday Sensei and Humitake Seki (19th generation headmaster).This book is excellent.

    In the introduction Friday Sensei points out that you should not make to many assumptions or over-generalizations when it comes to Koryu Bujutsu systems, because of the vast differences in curriculum, philosophy, and traditions.With that stated this book provides a fascinating look into Koryu Bujutsu in general and the Kashima-Shin-ryu specifically.Unlike other similar scholarly attempts at shedding light on the Classical martial arts of Japan (i.e. Donn Draeger's "Classical Bujutsu," and "Classical Budo"), which attempt to classify and categorize many facets of the Koryu systems using examples from many Ryuha, this reference takes a refreshingly different approach.In this text, Friday Sensei attempts to provide the structure, history, tactics, and philosophy of the Koryu Bujutsu by using a single Ryuha for the entire presentation.This allows the author, who holds a Menkyo Kaiden license in Kashima-Shin-ryu, to reach greater depths (comprehensiveness) then was possible in past attempts.

    The philosophy of the Kashima-Shin-ryu is intriguing, not only because of its history, which spans several hundred years, but also because of the applicability in today's society, "Know that the Kashima-Shinryu delights naught in the useless joy of felling an enemy, of destroying evil. Rather, it fosters...a heart that would always kill one only to save a thousand... In the beginning, prepare the body; at the midpoint, cultivate heartfelt human relationships; at the ultimate, find insight into the original principles of the Universe. This is the secret, the inner truth of the Kashima-Shinryu" (p. 183). "Confrontation and strife... are a part of the order of nature, an order from which man is not exempt" (p. 147). "Thus, since the nature of our world gives us no other choice, we must seek peace while always ready for combat. As Yamage Soko, the seventeenth century samurai philosopher, wrote: within his heart [the samurai] keeps to the ways of peace, but without he keeps his weapons ready for use" (p. 2).

    The book is scholarly in its professionalism and presentation.It is thoroughly footnoted and cited; yet it is very easy to read.This is not a book that I would necessarily recommend to a neophyte student interested in a quick overview or understanding of Koryu Bujutsu, but I highly recommend it to the more experienced student that is interested in a deeper, less philosophical understanding of the Koryu systems.

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