Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent

Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent

In Mikkyoâ€”Japanese esoteric Buddhismâ€”the dragon Kurikara symbolizes the internal energy developed through sword practice. Kurikara is a manifestation of the fierce bodhisattva Fudo Myo O, the patron of ascetics and warriors in Japan, who uses his sword to destroy delusions and sever attachments. Fudoâ€™s sword represents the gaining of discriminative power and decisivenessâ€”the ability to cut through illusion and attachment. This leads to the development of an inner energy that allows one to â€œburn upâ€ all obstacles to spiritual freedom.

Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent sets out the eight basic principles of swordsmanship common to all Japanese sword schools, emphasizing the cultivation of power and mental focus. Accomplished martial artist John Evans provides practical examples from his experience with the sword arts as well as Mikkyo and shugendo (mountain asceticism). The first foreign student to train with Nakamura Taisaburo senseiâ€”widely acknowledged as the master of the sword art battodoâ€”Evans clearly explains how skill such as Nakamurua senseiâ€™s can be systematically developed through tanren, exercises that meld â€œinnerâ€ and â€œouterâ€ power. Filled with fascinating anecdotes from Evansâ€™s training in Japan, Kurikara is a useful, inspiring guide to Japanese sword practice and its spiritual underpinnings.
Country USA
Brand North Atlantic Books
Manufacturer Blue Snake Books
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber 12 Photographs
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 2010-12-07
UnitCount 1
Format Illustrated
EANs 9781583942444

Country	USA
Brand	North Atlantic Books
Manufacturer	Blue Snake Books
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	12 Photographs
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	2010-12-07
UnitCount	1
Format	Illustrated
EANs	9781583942444

Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent

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