This pages contains a list of recommended books and videos. Each contains a link to Amazon.com should you wish to purchase a copy. Links are given to specific formats for each item (such as hardcover, paperback, audio cassette, etc.) Enjoy.
Martial Arts
Goju Ryu Karate-do
- Competition Karate by Chuck Merriman. (paperback)
- Goju Ryu Karate Do Kyohan by Gogen Yamaguchi. (hardcover)
- The History of Karate: Okinawan Goju-Ryu by Morio Higaonna. (paperback)
- Karate Dojo, The: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art by Peter Urban. (paperback)
Shorin Ryu Karate-do
Shiatsu
- Essential Anatomy for Healing & Martial Arts by Marc Tedeschi. (paperback)
- Extra Meridians, Points, and More, The by Eric Montaigue & Wally Simpson. (hardcover)
- Main Meridians, The by Eric Montaigue & Wally Simpson. (hardcover)
- Tsubo: Vital Points for Oriental Therapy by Katsusuke Serizawa. (hardcover/paperback)
- Web That Has No Weaver, The by Ted J. Kaptchuk. (paperback)
- Whole Health Shiatsu by Shizuko Yamamoto & Patrick McCarty. (paperback)
History & Philosophy
- Art of Peace, The by Morihei Ueshiba. Translated by John Stevens. (pocket paperback)
- Art of War, The by Sun Tzu. Translated by Thomas Cleary. (paperback/pocket paperback/audio cassette)
- Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai by Dave Lowry. (paperback)
- Book of Five Rings, The by Miyamoto Musashi. Translated by Thomas Cleary. (pocket paperback)
- Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. Translated by William Scott Wilson. (hardcover/paperback)
- Japanese Art of War, The: Understanding the Culture of Strategy by Thomas Cleary. (paperback/audio cassette)
- Living the Martial Way by Forrest E. Morgan. (hardcover/paperback)
- Lost Art of War, The by Sun Tzu. Translated by Thomas Cleary. (hardcover/paperback/audio cassette)
- Mastering the Art of War: Commentaries on Sun Tsu’s Classic. Translated by Thomas Cleary. (paperback)
- Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles, and Secret Techniques by Mark Bishop. (paperback)
- Secret Power Within, The: Zen Solutions to Real Problems by Chuck Norris. (hardcover/paperback)
- Seven Military Classics of Ancient China, The. Translated by Ralph D. Sawyer. (hardcover)
- Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa. (paperback/pocket paperback/audio cassette)
- Spiritual Dimensions of the Martial Arts by Michael Maliszewski. (paperback)
- Sunzi Speaks: The Art of War by Tsai Chih Chung. Translated by Brian Bruya. (paperback)
- Sword of No-Sword, The: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu by John Stevens. (paperback)
Education for Peace Series – Recommended for ages 7 – 15.
- Facing the Double-Edged Sword: The Art of Karate for Young People by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (paperback)
- Fighting the Invisible Enemy: Understanding the Effects of Conditioning by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (hardcover/paperback)
- Tug of War: Peace Through Understanding Conflict by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (hardcover/paperback)
- Why is Everybody Always Picking on Me?: A Guide to Handling Bullies by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (paperback)
Martial Arts for Peace Series – Recommended for ages 10 – 17.
- Eye of the Hurricane by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (hardcover/paperback)
- Flight of the Golden Eagle by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (hardcover/paperback)
- Maze of the Fire Dragon by Terrence Webster-Doyle. (hardcover/paperback)
Eastern Philosophy
Zen
- Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan. Translated by John Stevens. (paperback)
- Secret Power Within, The: Zen Solutions to Real Problems by Chuck Norris. (hardcover/paperback)
- Zen Antics: 100 Stories of Enlightenment. Translated and edited by Thomas Cleary. (paperback)
- Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki. (hardcover/pocket paperback/audio cassette)
- Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness by Tsai Chih Chung. Translated by Brian Bruya. (paperback)
Taoism
- Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu. Translated by John C. H. Wu. (pocket paperback)
- Tao Speaks, The: Lao-Tzu’s Whispers of Wisdom by Tsai Chih Chung. Translated by Brian Bruya. (paperback)
- Tao of Pooh, The by Benjamin Hoff. (hardcover/paperback/audio cassette)
- Te of Piglet, The by Benjamin Hoff. (hardcover/paperback/audio cassette)
- Way of Chuang Tzu, The by Thomas Merton. (paperback/pocket paperback)
Confucianism
- Confucius Speaks: Words to Live By by Tsai Chih Chung. Translated by Brian Bruya. (paperback)
Poetry
- Cold Mountain by Han-shan. Translated by Burton Watson. (pocket paperback)
- Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan Translated by John Stevens. (paperback)
- Essential Haiku, The: Versions of Bashō, Buson, and Issa Edited by Robert Hass. (hardcover/paperback)
- Midnight Flute: Chinese Poems of Love and Longing Translated by Sam Hamill. (paperback)
- Sound of Water, The: Haiku by Bashō, Buson, Issa, and Other Poets Translated by Sam Hamill. (paperback)
Video
Akira Kurasawa (director) Note: Most of the films in this section are not rated because they were made in the 1950’s and 1960’s in Japan. Many of them are considered classics and are the basis for more recent Western films, such as “the Magnificent Seven” and “Star Wars.”
- Rashomon – Toshirô Mifune, Machiko Kyô. 1951. Black & white. Japanese with English subtitles. (VHS/DVD)
- The Seven Samurai – Toshirô Mifune. 1956. Black & white. Japanese with English subtitles. (VHS/DVD)
- The Hidden Fortress – Toshirô Mifune, Misa Uehara. 1958. Black & white. Japanese with English subtitles. (VHS/DVD)
- Yojimbo – Toshirô Mifune. 1962. Black & white. Japanese with English subtitles. (VHS/DVD)
- Sanjuro – Toshirô Mifune. 1963. Black & white. Japanese with English subtitles. (VHS/DVD)
Note: Sequel to Yojimbo
Modern Titles
- The Karate Kid – PG – Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio. 1984 (VHS/DVD)
Note from Kyoshi: When I was 10 years old, my parents wanted to enroll me in martial arts classes. We had an interview with Mr. Richard Bernard, the director of House of the Samurai, who recommended that we watch this film before enrolling in any school because it is a good representation of the martial arts. - The Karate Kid – Part II – PG – Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio. 1986 (VHS/DVD)
- Kung Fu – The Complete First Season. 1972 (DVD)
Recommended by Hanshi! - Billy Jack – Rated PG, but contains some brief nudity. 1971 (DVD)
Recommended by Hanshi!
Kids/Family
- Mulan – G – Eddie Murphy, Ming-Na. (Disney) 1998 (VHS/DVD)
- Kung Fu Panda
- Kung Fu Panda 2
- Kung Fu Panda 3
If you have a book or video to recommend, please e-mail the title and author to Kyoshi.
Please note that recommendations are subject to review, and may not be published here.