The pinnacle of Japanese culture for over a thousand years, the Japanese sword is both weapon and work of art. Follow the swordsmiths dream of creating a masterpiece, from forging the steel to carving the scabbard. Meet Japan's greatest swordmaster to understand why the sword is the spirit of the Samurai. Hear the true story of the Art of the Samurai Sword in the swordsmiths words.
Chapter One: The beginning with Sensei Yoshihiko Inoue
Chapter Two: Koryu Kenjutsu, the root of Kendo
Chapter Three: The Nippon Kendo Kata
Chapter Four: Pre-war Kendo of Ichikenkai Haga Dojo
Chapter Five: Kendo with Sensei Hiroshi Ozawa
Chapter One: The beginning of the 'Gentle Way'
Chapter Two: The Kodokan Judo Institute
Chapter Three: The rise of Women's Judo
Chapter Four: Jujutsu at the Embassy Judo
Chapter Five: The first USA Olympic Gold medal
In traditional martial arts, mastery of the art is not acquired through technical skill alone. In following ‘The Way’ one must look beyond technique. In Japanese archery or Kyudo, hitting the target is not enough. In order to shoot correctly we are told to "Shoot from the Heart". As Takeuchi sensei says "As a national team member I had to hit the target no matter what. Eventually all that technique became obsolete in exchange to express myself through the bow". This is One Shot. One Life. Zen of Japanese Archery.
No Martial Art has been so misunderstood than Tai Chi Chuan and it's relationship with the Tao. In The Immortal Path: The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan we explore the Tao and the Internal and external styles of Wudang Martial Arts with our guide, Wudang Kungfu grandmaster and Taoist priest Zhong Yun Long.
An epic journey across the Philippines from Manila to Cebu and Negros to explore Filipino Martial Arts and in particular, the art of Arnis or Escrima. Our guides on this epic journey are datu Tim Hartman, a senior student of grandmaster Remy Presas and Balintawak grandmaster Bobby Taboada.
In the last fifty years the culture of Zen has spread far beyond Japan. Zen centers and zen retreats have sprung up throughout America and Europe. When Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen, brought Zen to Japan from China 800 years ago, it quickly took root and became an integral part of Japanese life. Yet what do we know about zen practice in Japan today?
