The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu Book by John Stevens
The insightful martial arts biography of Yamoaka Tesshu, the larger-than-life samurai who founded his own school of swordsmanship and helped restore practical imperial rule to Japan
Master swordsman, calligrapher, and Zen practitioner, Yamoaka Tesshu is a seminal figure in martial arts history. John Stevens’s biography is a fascinating, detailed account of Tesshu’s remarkable life. From Tesshu’s superhuman feats of endurance and keen perception in life-threatening situations, to his skillful handling of military affairs during the politically volatile era of early nineteenth-century Japan, Stevens recounts the stories that have made Tesshu a legend. This is the book all martial artists must own.
About the Author
John Stevens (1947–2025) was an American author, translator, ordained Zen Buddhist priest, professor of Buddhist studies, and Aikido teacher (7th dan Aikikai). He lived in Sendai, Japan (1973–~2008), teaching Eastern philosophy and Aikido at Tohoku Fukushi University. Primary Aikido teacher: Shirata Rinjiro. Authored/translator of over 30–40 books on Aikido, Zen, and Japanese culture, including Aikido: The Way of Harmony and The Art of Peace.
102 pages
Printed in 2014
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