Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense

Caveat lector:I am familiar with other systems of stick and staff fighting but I am new to the Kukishin Ryu system of bojutsu. There are likely many aspects of this text that I lack the context to grasp the subtlety of. Please consider the following review from the context of a neophyte to this form. My hope is that this review may provide insight to others pursuing this martial art.General overview:The book "Stick Fighting: techniques of self-defense" seems to provide a good foundation in the basics of stick, not just hanbo (half bo), defense. The progression of the text is: 8 basic movements, 51 techniques, and 8 immobilizations. The basic movements presented are specific to strikes against the core body, striking fist, and a single directed thrust. Additional cursory research will show that this is only scratching the surface of stick fighting movements but they do thoroughly support the techniques presented in the text. The techniques described & depicted cover defense from: fist attacks, foot attacks, wrist holding, sleeve and lapel holding, seizure from behind, and stick holding. If you are new to this form then I suspect that you, as I have, will find great value in these pages.Pros:There is a nice progression from the basics, into fundamental techniques, then on to techniques using some more advanced body mechanics. The pictures give a movement by movement progression that the reader can follow along with in their practice. I also like that this is manual of technique, not a treatise on the theory of stick fighting. The approach is very much "someone is punching you in the face from the right, here is one technique that you can do." "someone is punching you in the face from the left, here is one technique that you can do." There's no pretense of perfection, no high handed discussions on the use of force. Another title for this could have been "So, you're holding a stick-like object and somebody is trying to hurt you... now what?"Cons:I have three gripes about this book, which kept me from giving it a 5 star, but I think they are all pretty minor and would not stop me from buying a copy for a friend.1) Media production quality: I got the 2012 edition and while the pages are nicely printed with a good matte finish the book binding itself is lacking. The inside covers are thinly glued to the exterior cover and the leaves (individual sections of the book) appear to be just glued into the spine. Just be careful of how you treat your book. I've had other books of similar production just sort-of self destruct after a few years. Be nice to your things and they will be nice to you.2) Translation and copy editing: I don't speak or write Japanese (Yet!) but there are some glaring errors in copy editing and translation. "Your partner punches straight at your face [...]" but the picture shows one person punching the other in the stomach. "The stick (Eda koppo technique) can be held between the little finger and ring finger or between the ring and middle fingers as shown." but the picture clearly shows the stick positioned between the little finger and thumb. Those kinds of inconsistencies are easy to sort out to the discerning reader but it's also the kind of errors that I would expect to be addressed in editing.3) Some of the advanced techniques do not appear to be immediately practical. Block a punch? OK. Block a kick? OK. Get out of a grapple? OK. Block a strike, spin behind your opponent, wrap up their legs with your bo, drop them to the ground and immobilize them by pinning the ankles... ummm. As a new student, one of the primary audiences for this book based on the layout, I lack the ability to derive direct value from such techniques.Overall: excellent content that is, for the most, accessible to all skill levels. Recommended.

The author is knowledgeable. The book is well illustrated however I sometime find it difficult to see in the photo exactly what is indicated in the text. This is another Japanese martial arts book that tells you more than a few moves, but everything form A to Z. I didn't buy this book just to find a few "killer" moves, or to be able to subdue and subjugate an attacker in no elapsed time to the admiration and awe of on lookers. To do this book justice I believe the reader/student should invest a great deal of time and then seek the help of an instructor. I believe that this book would be great for the student that wishes to make the study of this art a very long term affair.

Hatsumi's book "Stick Fighting" is a welcome addition for those individuals that are interested in improving their stick fighting skills. The book is very detailed with excellent step-by-step photos and comprehensive picture descriptions for each technique. There are approximately 10 basic techniques with over 50 variations on the base techniques.My marital arts background is in ninjutsu, toshindo, boxing and now Arnis. From my perspective, this book will be well suited for those that have studied ninjutsu and/or toshindo, as hanbo techniques are taught in those programs. However, those that have studied other martial arts such as Aikido, Arnis, Russian Systema, or Krav Maga, will most likely also enjoy having this book in their library.Bottom Line: If you have a good understanding of body movement and distancing, then this book will be a great addition to your arsenal. If you have very limited experience in the martial arts, then perhaps this book will still be of use, but I would recommend that you find a skilled/safe training partner. Either way, it is well worth the price and easy to follow. More experienced practitioners will be able to develop their own variations based on the ones printed in the book.

I think this book is okay, but it's far more extensive than my interests. Grey scale photographs illustrate all the various fighting positions as applies to a multitude of Asian stick fighting styles, and with every size stick. This would be of real interest to professional and/or sport fighters. I just wanted something that would help to improve my defenses should I be accosted by an unarmed assailant - or two. The history of stick fighting is of no interest to me.I'm 76, and I don't defend against robbers who have weapons. But I often carry expensive photography equipment with me, and in this part of Oregon, violent crimes are increasing. I was saved by my German Shepard from robbers twice, during the last ten years, but she passed away a year ago. I can't rightly replace her, at my age, so I'm on my ownI would have liked a simple chart illustrating vulnerable points to aim for, with text to describe the severity and expectations for striking each. This with practical/effective lessons for self defense with a cane, and very short sticks, is what I'm looking for. I'll revisit this review a few times. Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.

The black and white pictures make many of the techniques hard to picture. The fact that both demonstrators wear white gi doesn't make it any easier to see the intricacies of the photographed techniques either. Also there are several hanbo (baton) techniques scattered throughout the book at random, rather than in their own section (which there is none). None of the art's lethal techs are in the book, and there is an emphasis on using the stick to grapple rather than strike. The book also doesn't go over the footwork in great detail, simply telling you how to position your feet, and never going deep into the mechanics of "why".

I'll start out by admitting that I train in the style, so this really was a necessary investment for me. However, since buying the book and since we've been going through it in more detail, I have now resultantly been thrown, clocked and locked in more ways than I ever thought possible (and when I was first face-planted by a tiny woman with a stick, well that's when I realised both how funny and how painful it could all be). Now, as has been pointed out, this isn't a book on stick-on-stick fighting, but rather a way to apply the stick against an assailant. "Oh, but why would someone attack a guy with a big stick?", many people will say. Well, I don't know. Why would some young fellow attack an old fellow with a walking stick? And how might the old fellow apply his walking stick to the breaking of bones and cranking of limbs? Plus, as has also been said, practice with the stick leads to greater understanding of space, body mechanics and leverage.Now, to be balanced, I found most of Hatsumi's other instructional texts to be a little bit hmmm. This book, however, this is a book worth owning!

This is not book about Filipino Martial Arts, All techniques are based on Japanese styles of fighting with stick.Book itself if well laid out and all techniques are clearly depicted and explained.Book consists of many techniques with different stick lengths (30" , 12-15"), you might be interested in that book if you want to explore some of the locking techniques using sticks. For me as Escrima practitioner it's more informative in a sense what other styles have to offer rather than practical .Most techniques are quite difficult form beginner point of view and include Aikido like takedowns , and throws - not very practical and difficult to execute especially in life threatening situations. Also no empty hands applications are presented, it's assumed you always carry some sort of stick with you to defend yourself.All in all you might like that book if you're into Japanese styles of Martial Arts, if you're not I wouldn't recommend it

Excellent book, but the size is quite small, hence the b/w pictures are not very clear. For a few dollars more this book could be released in a larger format. Still very much worth the while. Authorative and a must-buy!

I love the way this book is set out. Diagrams are very user friendly with clear and concise instructions in technique deployment.My complaint? That the techniques are so effective, no one wants to help you in learning them... (!)An excellent book for anyone who is a martial arts practitioner or who carries a stick.Speak softly, but carry a (big) stick.A man without a (blackthorn) stick is a man without an expedient.

This was a very well written book which was easy to follow. Because these techniques are based on a Han bo they can also be applied to a walking stick.