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.
Blending autobiography and history, Lowry offers an engaging portrait of the medieval Japanese samurai tradition and its survival in modern America. "A well-written, refreshing change from the standard martial arts fare."--Library Journal. 3 drawings. 3 halftone photos.
| Foreword | vii | |
| Preface | ix | |
| 1 | Meeting with the Past | 3 |
| 2 | The Sixteen Spears of Nagano | 9 |
| 3 | Matters of Concentration | 21 |
| 4 | A Death Among Peach Blossoms | 33 |
| 5 | Autumn and Other Things Japanese | 47 |
| 6 | The Swordsmen in the Shadows | 59 |
| 7 | A Ritual of Style, A Function of Grace | 77 |
| 8 | The Shogun's Master | 87 |
| 9 | Iai, Cutting at Raindrops | 101 |
| 10 | The Swordsman and the Priest | 115 |
| 11 | Lessons in the Warrior's Way | 133 |
| 12 | Things Out of Season | 149 |
| Afterword: Two Rivers into the Same Sea | 157 | |
| Glossary | 161 | |
| Illustrations | 175 |
Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2000
I've read maybe 150 books on the martial arts, everything from battlefield theory to instructional texts. If a student or a friend asked me, 'I'm interested in the martial arts, what book should I read?' Autumn Lightning would be THE one I'd recommend. Wonderfully written (and carefully crafted so that any audience--from pre-teen to PhD--can follow), Mr. Lowry shares his experience as a young midwestern adolescent who discovers, and eventually earns student status with a Japanese swordsman. Mr. Lowry alternates chapters of historical anecdotes referencing samurai and martial artists of time past with rich and entertaining chapters of his unique experience. The teacher-student relationship in the martial arts far transcends the Western notion of teacher-student relationships in a way that one must experience to truly comprehend. Through this truly moving book, the reader learns of the shared responsibility between the Sensei and the student, the reasons behind tradition and ettiquette in the 'dojo,' and the unique bond between the sensei and his student. Autumn Lightning was out of print for many years, and is difficult to find even after its re-print a few years ago. It's absolutely worth the search--and should be required reading for anyone interested in Eastern teaching philosophy, the martial arts, or self-improvement topics (even those people who will never throw a punch or a kick). See also 'Persimmon Wind' by Dave Lowry, which chronicles his voyage to Japan many years later to study the history of his art and meet again with his instructor.
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Overview
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 ...