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The Essence of Budo audiobook cover art

  • The Essence of Budo

  • A Practitioner's Guide to Understanding the Japanese Martial Ways
  • By: Dave Lowry
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 79
  • Performance
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The study of budo, or the Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation, is a lifelong path toward perfection of character. Here, Dave Lowry, a sword master who has practiced and taught budo for over 40 years, addresses the myriad issues, vagaries, and inconsistencies that arise for students of karate-do, judo, kendo, kenjutsu, aikido, and iaido as their training develops.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • I just sat in a Dojo of the mind.

  • By Joseph on 02-26-16
Persimmon Wind audiobook cover art

  • Persimmon Wind

  • A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan
  • By: Dave Lowry
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 26
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 23
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 23

Persimmon Wind - part memoir, part martial arts history, and part travelogue - relates Dave Lowry's experiences as he travels to Japan to reunite with his sensei, visit the graves of others of his martial lineage, and explore a country and culture that profoundly influenced his life. Lowry's account reveals a Japan unlikely to be witnessed by the average Westerner. Drawing on his deep knowledge of the martial arts, Lowry acts as an interpreter of sorts, deftly describing for the listener the myriad ways in which Japan's subtle, yet rich customs and rituals inform and enrich the seemingly mundane practices of life.

Traditions audiobook cover art

  • Traditions

  • Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways
  • By: Dave Lowry
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 45
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 40
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars 41

The goals of the budo - the martial arts and ways of Japan - lie in refining the body and spirit. These goals are not always the obvious ones - and are learned only through the guidance and direction of great teachers. The techniques, methods, and rituals of the sensei can serve as guides to a well-lived life - and provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Reflections for any martial artist

  • By P_Cali on 12-18-16
In the Dojo audiobook cover art

  • In the Dojo

  • A Guide to the Rituals and Etiquette of the Japanese Martial Arts
  • By: Dave Lowry
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 52
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 52
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars 50

Beginning students in Japanese martial arts, such as karate, judo, aikido, iaido, kyudo, and kendo, learn that when they are in the dojo (the practice space), they must don their practice garb with ritual precision, address their teacher and senior students in a specific way, and follow certain unwritten but deeply held codes of behavior. But very soon they begin to wonder about the meaning behind the traditions, gear, and relationships in the dojo.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Great to learn about the dojo and behavior inside.

  • By Patrice Lamarche on 09-10-16
Musashi audiobook cover art

  • Musashi

  • By: Eiji Yoshikawa, Charles S. Terry - translator
  • Narrated by: Brian Nishii
  • Length: 53 hrs and 24 mins
  • Unabridged
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    4.5 out of 5 stars 29
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The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman. Miyamoto Musashi becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and by whom he has been touched. Inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • BIG Must

  • By Anonymous User on 09-15-18
The Unfettered Mind audiobook cover art

  • The Unfettered Mind

  • Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman
  • By: Takuan Soho, William Scott Wilson (translator)
  • Narrated by: Roger Clark
  • Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 488
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    4.5 out of 5 stars 420
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Written by the 17th-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573-1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • The Unfettered Mind of a Genius

  • By Troy on 04-20-15

Publisher's Summary

Dave Lowry juxtaposes his singular experience as an adept student of kenjutsu (the art of swordsmanship) under a Japanese teacher in St. Louis with a riveting account of the samurai tradition in Japan. Intertwining tales of the masters with reflections on his own apprenticeship in the samurai's arts, he reveals in their time-honored methods a way of life with profound relevance to modern times.

The result is a fascinating, singular autobiography. Lowry captures the sense of wonder and mystery that makes martial arts compelling to so many practitioners. Even those who do not practice martial arts will delight in this unusual coming-of-age story.

©1985 Dave Lowry (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Easy listening.

Relaxing, easy listen. Well written, well narrated. interesting mix of personal story and history. Very good.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Gvido
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 07-11-17

Fantastic insight

Great story, well written and well read. The information is unique - at least in the western world. Not many had the opportunity to learn what the author has learned, not only the martial art singularity, but also the background story. Of those who have the knowledge, few share it - why this is such a unique source of information.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • DBW487
  • 01-26-16

Excellent

If you could sum up Autumn Lightning in three words, what would they be?

A very well written account of the authors early study of swordsmanship, with some interesting history of the school he was part of. The narrator does an excellent job in telling this story.

What does Brian Nishii bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Nice to hear the correct pronunciation of the Japanese, which adds to the authenticity of the story and characters.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Can understand by the well written account what Dave Lowry went through and some of his ups and downs.

Any additional comments?

Just got the follow on to this, where he author travels to Japan. Can't wait to start it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Darren
  • 10-13-16

A remarkable journey

In a way, I am sad that I finished listening to this audio book as it has been accompanying me on my journeys to and from work.

The adventures of the Yagyu family have kept me enthralled and the history of the Shinkage Ryu had me slicing at my own imaginary opponents as I weaved my way through heavy crowds at the train stations that appear on my route to the office.

Thank you, Sensei Dave Lowry (the author) and of course Brian Nishi (the narrator) ... for you have both truly inspired this South African Samurai.