This unique history of Japanese armed martial arts--the only comprehensive treatment of the subject in English--focuses on traditions of swordsmanship and archery from ancient times to the present. G. Cameron Hurst III provides an overview of martial arts in Japanese history and culture, then closely examines the transformation of these fighting skills into sports. He discusses the influence of the Western athletic tradition on the armed martial arts as well as the ways the martial arts have remained distinctly Japanese. During the Tokugawa era (1600-1867), swordsmanship and archery developed from fighting systems into martial arts, transformed by the powerful social forces of peace, urbanization, literacy, and professionalized instruction in art forms. Hurst investigates the changes that occurred as military skills that were no longer necessary took on new purposes: physical fitness, spiritual composure, character development, and sport. He also considers Western misperceptions of Japanese traditional martial arts and argues that, contrary to common views in the West, Zen Buddhism is associated with the martial arts in only a limited way. The author concludes by exploring the modern organization, teaching, ritual, and philosophy of archery and swordsmanship; relating these martial arts to other art forms and placing them in the broader context of Japanese culture.

福澤の壮年期の著作『文明論之概略』の英訳

1988 was a crucial year for the Republic of Korea. On the one hand, the nation witnessed the first peaceful transfer of power in its history in February, when Chun Doo Hwan turned over the presidency to his successor. In September, Korea became the focal point of world interest during the Olympics. The important event gave Korea the opportunity to display the fruits of the significant economic and social developments of the past two decades. But problems accompany bright prospects. Korea's success has created trade friction with the U.S. Across the DMZ in Pyongyang, North Korea remains a bitterly hostile enemy. With these issues in mind, the Center for East Asian Studies invited experts to a special symposium. The insightful papers they presented comprise this volume. Co-published with the Center for East Asian Studies.