Gendai Budō: Understanding Modern Japanese Martial Arts offers a clear, comprehensive, and engaging exploration of the martial disciplines that emerged in Japan from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Blending historical analysis with cultural insight, this book traces how traditions such as jūdō, kendō, karatedō, aikidō, kyūdō, shōrinji kenpō, jūkendō, and sumō were shaped by Japan’s modernization, educational reforms, and shifting social values.
Drawing on classical roots while examining modern practice, Gendai Budō explains how these arts evolved from battlefield systems and regional traditions into structured disciplines emphasizing personal development, ethical cultivation, and physical training. Each chapter illuminates the defining techniques, philosophies, governing institutions, and cultural roles of the major modern martial arts.
Accessible yet meticulously researched, the book serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a deeper study for practitioners, educators, and scholars. Whether you are a martial artist seeking context, a student of Japanese culture, or a reader interested in how tradition adapts to modern life, this volume provides a balanced and authoritative guide to the world of gendai budō.
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gendai-Budo-Understanding-Japanese-Martial/dp/B0GBGT2RQZ/
