The martial artist feels the beauty and joy of techniques expertly done, the power of the anatomical structures, and appreciates the priority of function. Understanding how the body works enables us to perform our techniques to the best of our ability. It will also help protect our own bodies from unnecessary wear and tear, and injury. Instructors need to pass this highly important knowledge onto their students. This will keep the injury rate to a minimum, keeping students safe and healthy. Healthy and knowledgeable students continue to study. They in turn become excellent teachers, accurately passing on their style of martial art. This study guide is meant for the curious and serious martial artist. It is not meant to be so technical that the lay person or student will look at it for a few minutes and set it aside because it is too confusing. We wish for you, the teacher or practitioner, to utilize this information with ease, and apply it to your preferred martial art. The information enclosed was gained through study with my predecessors, research, and physical experiences of 50 years. It is my wish that you will profit from this learning process, and bypass the many mistakes and injuries that I sustained over the years. Professor Jane Carr Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt) American Judo & Jujitsu Federation

本書は解剖学の枠を超えた、身体という小宇宙への敬意に満ちた哲学書です。九段の達人が五十年で体得した技の美学が、骨格や筋肉の機能美として言語化されています。肉体を守り、かつ最大限の力を引き出すための知恵は、高みを目指すすべての求道者にとって、自己を照らす聖典のような輝きを放っています。 特筆すべきは、自らの傷を教訓に変え、次世代へ繋ごうとする慈愛に満ちた視点です。実践者に寄り添う平易かつ深い語り口は、読者の身体意識を根底から変革させます。生涯をかけて武を極めんとする者の伴走者として、これほど情熱的で実益に富んだ導きの書は他にありません。