Review: In The Dojo
General Information
Title: In The DojoAuthor: Dave Lowry
Format: Large format (5.5"x8.5") Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 207
ISBN: 0-8348-0572-3
Price: $17
Summary
In The Dojo places the dojo at the center of this narrative on
architectural elements, rituals, training, and personal philosophies of
the Japanese martial arts. The author covers what to expect on
visiting a dojo for the first time, what to expect and what will be
expected of you when you begin training and what your teacher-student
relationship might consist of. Lowry also covers the traditional and
modern dress found in the dojo as well as the religious and spiritual
aspects contained in the dojo itself.
High Point
- The short chapter on the Martial Language and how it differs from language used outside of the dojo.
- The confrontation between Araki Murashige and his shogun Oda Nobunaga.
- The chapter on The Dojo Year which speaks about observed holidays throughout the year traditionally by the dojo.
- The Glossary
Low Point
- I believe the book gets a week start. I did not find the beginning introductory or first chapter gripping or inspiring.
- I would have liked to have seen summaries of what was covered at the end of each chapter.
- No index.
The Scores
Presentation (4.2 out of 4.2): The presentation is very
well done. The book is a nice size with an earthy cover tone
incorporating a vertically split Japanese and English theme. The back
cover is well laid out, easy to read, and very descriptive of the
contents of the book. The text is large and very readable.Clarity (4.2 out of 4.2): The text is comprehensible and clear. The author spends ample time explaining Japanese terms and writes in a very straight forward manner.
Structure (3 out of 4.2): The structure of the book is very good. The book is broken out into 13 chapters of nicely sized chunks plus an introduction and glossary. I will dock it some for lacking an index and chapter summaries.
Examples (3 out of 4.2): The intention of this book was never
to convey examples of physical training, however it does give good
motivational examples and one historical example in the confrontation
between Araki Murashige and his shogun Oda Nobunaga. That being said,
examples of traditional training techniques one would find in the dojo
could have been included.
Completeness (1 out of 4.2): On completion of the book I did not feel that everything about the dojo had been covered.
I felt that comparisons should have been made between the modern day
dojo and a more traditional (i.e. classic) dojo. I would
have liked to have been presented with details on what
distinguishes a Japanese dojo from a gym, dojang, McDojo, etc. I would
have also liked to have seen chapters on architecture and even a
chapter on duplicating the atmosphere of the dojo on your own using
western methods and supplies. As an example of what is missing, the
traditional tatami mat was not mentioned at all in the book. For a
book entitled "In The Dojo," these are the first chapters that should
have been written.
Editing (4.2 out of 4.2): The editing was well done as I found no memorable flaws in the book on first reading.
Value (4.2 out of 4.2): This book will look good on my shelf (as I mentioned before, it has a beautifully crafted cover) and has lots of good historical information which I may have use for in the future. For around $17 this is a good buy but not a must have.
Overall (3 out of 4.2): Overall this was a well done book. I am a little biased since I picked up the book with the desire to learn more about how to make my training area feel more like a traditional dojo. I can see this book being used by instructors as supplemental material for their students. I can also see this book as being useful to the instructor. It would teach them how to enhance the teacher-student relationship, define and explain traditions found in the dojo such as the act of bowing, and how to maintain a more traditional dojo environment. If instructors could learn one thing from this book, it would be for them to insist that their students contribute to the maintenance and cleaning of the dojo that they spend so much time in.
"In The Dojo" receives a very respectable 33.8 out of a possible 42.
Additional Notes and Comments
"During your day outside the dojo, you had one opportunity to approach the tasks that needed tending. One opportunity to interact with others. In the dojo, it is the same. This practice session came only once in your life. Next time, even if it is the next evening, you will be different; the lesson will be different." - Dave Lowry
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