“The
timing for this book could not be better. It embodies the spirit of
bunbu ryodō — the pursuit of scholarship and
warriorship.”
- Masaaki Hatsumi,
Sōke “UNDERSTAND? GOOD. PLAY! is destined to
become the lexicon of Bujinkan martial arts. I daresay anyone who
reads it, martial artist or not, will be moved by the wisdom and
humanity revealed within. When I read these `Words of Consequence’ I
can hear Masaaki Hatsumi’s voice, see his face, imagine his
movements — echoes of the joyous times we have had together,
whispers that will guide my training always. For those who haven’t
been fortunate enough to know this great martial artist, it is a
glimpse at the mind and heart of an exceptional human
being.”
-
Jack Hoban, Spring Lake, New Jersey, USA “I am
fascinated by this catalog of Hatsumi-
Sensei’s wit and
wisdom. They give a personal insight into his
Budō that is
rarely available outside of training directly with him. I expect to
read and re-read them over and over. Ben and his associates have
done a great job in reducing the gap between
Sensei and his
students all over the world.”
- Mark Hodel, http://www.winjutsu.com/
administrator “This book is with no doubt the
BEST book ever being released to the public! It will become the
basic instructional book to understand Hatsumi
Sensei’s
feelings. All practitioners in the
Bujinkan should read it
many times as it reveals
Sensei’s inner thoughts little by
little. I have been attending many classes with
Sensei in
Japan and I can assure you that the text written in this book is
200% true. Actually, while reading the book, I cannot help seeing
Sensei teaching! Thank you Ben for letting us share with you
the deep understanding you have acquired through the years
translating
Sensei’s ideas, thoughts and feelings. Thank
you!”
-
Arnaud Cousergue, http://www.budomart.com/
administrator “This book is brilliant, not only
are the pictures beautiful, but the quotations from
Hatsumi-
Sōke are presented in such a way, that you can read
it everyday — and some will give you a hard time figuring out. In
my opinion, this is THE book on
Bujinkan and what it takes to
live the life. This is not about being the toughest, but rather
being the one most human, natural and kind to fellow beings. At
least that is what I got from it. Amazing. My highest recommendation
for everyone.”
- Michael, Wuppertal,
Germany “When I first attended a
Taikai
with Hatsumi back in the 1980s, I was struck by his clear and simple
way of explaining the art in words. This is of course partly because
of the translation problem, and the fact that things move fast at
seminars
Taikai’s. When reading this new book I once again
see myself at
Taikai. I can hear Hatsumi’s voice through the
written words — because it is his way of teaching, and therefore I
have had a great new experience. A sort of deja vu. This book is
fantastic! It gives the reader valuable information about what
Hatsumi really thinks. Among many things, he states that there are
good teachers and not-so-good-teachers, no matter what rank they
have. It encourages the reader to `keep going’ and follow your own
heart and the guidance of the book
Bujinkan. Read it now —
and again in 5 years!”
- Jens Odgaard,
Denmark “I’m not associated with the
Bujinkan and
my experience with its nine arts is sparse. However, this is one of
the better books on combat I have ever read. Like the best
Budō books
(
Hagakure, Book of Five Rings, The Book of Family Traditions on the
Art of War) there are mysteries in many of the statements that can
only be unlocked through practice and a subconscious understanding.
You can read one passage and have enough to work from for quite a while.
I had no idea that my pristine, barely-read copy could fetch such a
fantastically high price, and that gives me all the more incentive
to hang onto it for dear life and spend more time with it. And by more
time I mean 10 minutes to read something (two or three times, or more)
and hours or even years figuring it out. Good stuff — too bad more
martial arts books aren’t written like this. We only seem to get
anything this good about once every two hundred years or so.”
- Dan Bergevin,
review from Amazon.com
“This is not so much a conventional book but more a collection of thoughts,
quotes and ideas put forward by Hatsumi over the more recent years.
This book is a must have, as Hatsumi feels that only now he understands
what Takamatsu taught him. It is part practical information on taijutsu
and a large part philosophy. You will take from this book that what is
right for you. If you are at all interested in matters beyond pure
technique then this will amount to far more words than are actually in
the book! Ideas that are put forward are optimistic, universal and reflect
the true nature of people. It also reminds me of what a funny guy he is,
even though he has all these terribly earnest people coming to see him
from all round the world who hang on his every breathe (me included).
You have to have a sense of humour, it’s what makes us human and indeed
it’s what makes good
Budō. Hatsumi has never forgotten to laugh or play.
For anyone who has trained in Japan at the
Hombu dōjō, this book will have
great resonance. I can best explain it by saying that it’s like the faint
echoes of Hatsumi’s words are suddenly made clear and sharp again. Words
where you missed their significance at the time become re-evaluated as
Hatsumi speaks to you again from the pages of this book. This is why
I say it’s like a pocket Hatsumi. Strange concept yes, but oh so true...”
- Ian Cummings, review from Amazon.com
“UNDERSTAND? GOOD. PLAY! is among the
best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I’ve read it twice
so far, and it’s like a total workout for your entire being.
UNDERSTAND? GOOD. PLAY! really hits you at a subconcious level. I
highly insist that anybody who takes Bujinkan training seriously get
a copy.”
-
Vincent Salerno, Key Largo, Florida, USA “I loved
this book! While it may have been many years since meeting
Sensei, I can hear his voice when I read these words. It also
brought to light a few things that I just couldn’t understand, but
after reading the many varied interpretations of his thoughts and
words, it actually clarified things for me. Thank you so much for
sharing your thoughts and words to the rest of the world.”
- Brad Ellin, La
Plata, MD, USA “This book is superb! However,
don’t expect to be spoon-fed anything. Its content can only
understood with continuous training experience. I’ve enjoyed reading
it and expect to do so again after spending more time training and
growing in
Taijutsu. Also, I’m impressed with the rare photos
throughout the book. Some of the images almost seem to convey the
themes presented in the text.”
- Robert Krone, SF Bay
Area, USA “This is truly a
Budō guide.
When you read this book you begin to realize the truth and depth of
Sōke Hatsumi’s
Budō. Covering everything from Training
to Life, it gives one many paths to explore and ideas to ponder. I
would say if one is interested in the study of
Budō, no
matter what your art of study is, I would not be without this book.
For the beginner or long-term practitioner, it is a must!”
- Jay Zimmerman,
USA “So much has been clarified for me in this
book, yet it has raised more questions than it answered, and for
that I am very grateful. Thank you so much for all of your time and
effort in making this book possible and to make it available to
those who wish more.”
- Jay M. Fried
“When I turn on my TV, radio, or web service all I see
is the terrorist attacks on NYC and DC. After hours of it, one needs
something to take their mind somewhere else. Something to uplift the
inside when it has been shocked so deeply into itself. I received my
copy of
Sōke’s and
Shidōshi Cole’s book. It took me
out of myself and into something better. I read as much as I could
before having to retire. The words I read made me giggle, reflect,
examine, and dig. This is a book of value. I recommend everyone in
the
Bujinkan get one. It’s required reading.”
- Kim Quintin,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada “I have been practicing
Budo Taijutsu for a relatively short time, and feel truly at
home training in the
Bujinkan; I have read many of
Sensei’s books but this one, however, is different. Hatsumi’s
wisdom comes alive in such a personal way. At first, I thought I
practiced a great martial art; after reading this book I realize
that it is much more than that. It is a road to enlightment. I would
like to thank the author for offering this treasure for `those who
have eyes to see.’”
- John Holladay, West
Palm Beach, Florida, USA, “I highly recommend
that everyone pick this work up. While it is an odd format for a
book, seeing as 80% of it are quotes pulled from different training
sessions, it works very well in its job of conveying a cohesive
theme to what Hatsumi
Sensei feels is important when training
and living. The presentation is top-notch, and the words inside are
of the highest caliber. There were many times while reading it that
I could actually hear
Sensei’s voice booming out these
nuggets of wisdom across the
tatami floor of the
Hombu
dōjō. For those that go to Japan regularly you might find, as I
did, that you can actually remember classes where these words were
spoken. And then to see the same words repackaged again and again to
fit different situations gives you a better confidence in your own
memories of the training!”
- Jeffrey Mueller,
Laurel, MD, USA “There were moments, while
reading, that it felt like I was standing in
Hombu listening
to Hatsumi-
sensei speak.”
- Matt Hildreth,
LaGrangeville, NY, USA “UNDERSTAND? GOOD. PLAY!
is an excellent book. It’s the best `self-help book’ I own now. I
describe it as a self-help book, because it has helped me keep some
perspective, and given me insight to things I already thought I
understood well. The pictures are good, very rich in feeling and
context. The text is full of `gems’, and `gold’ spun into a rich
tapestry of personality and intelligence. These strands offer a view
into the mind and heart of one of the most enigmatic men on earth,
and his modern day lessons that give access to some of the most
effective martial arts of antiquity. At certain points UNDERSTAND?
GOOD. PLAY! gives glimpses at the road ahead. It doesn’t offer a map
per se, but more of a `throwing of the bones.’ There are good
reminders in there about humor and its role in what martial artists
do. There are also many places where the authors have placed quotes
back to back that at first seem contradictory, but are subtlely
feeding each other and offering two sides of the same story.
Everyone thinks they `get it.’ But the wit and wisdom in this book
will help keep one on the path....if there really is `a path.’
Mostly I would say that UNDERSTAND? GOOD. PLAY! is encouraging to
read. It is the first book of its kind that has made me want to go
and train. Mr. Benjamin Cole and
Sōke, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi
have put together a text that will serve the
Bujinkan and
Martial Arts positively for many years to come.”
- Eric Hedman,
Oakland, CA, USA “From someone who hasn’t had the
pleasure of training with
Sōke, I can hear his voice every
quote I read. Some things are still a little fuzzy (I know some of
his comments have an underlining meaning) but the more I read the
book and the more I get a chance to train, it will become clearer! A
must buy!”
-
Steve Schoen, St. Louis, MO, USA “The photos on
the site are gorgeous! I am pleased that the book’s aesthetics are
so well executed. Finally, a book with real beauty to match its
content.”
-
Pete Lohstroh “It was hard to get, but I finally
have it now.... What a great book this is. Only good quotes and good
lessons from the grandmaster and some good students as well. Even
beginners ( like me. ;) ) should buy this one!”
- B. Martens, Leiden,
The Netherlands “I just got my copy and I
couldn’t put it down. This may be my favorite Bujinkan book yet. I
particularly liked the little side conversations at the bottom of
the pages.”
- Jason Sky
