Secrets of the Samurai

Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook. First edition, eight printing (stated). Dust Jacket: Very Good+ A beautiful, unclipped jacket designed by S. Katakura. In a mylar protective wrapper. Some very minor chipping and a water stain on rear corner of jacket. Hardcover: Very Good+ Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1983. Biege cloth with black Japanese emblem on cover, black and red lettering on spine. No writing or markings in this solid book, 483 pp. There is an old, light brown, water stain on corner, spine and lower part of the book. Illustrations by a Oscar Ratti, which includes 18 charts, profusely illustrated with drawings. Considered a scarce edition.

This is a major and definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, illustrating in detail the weapons, techniques and the strategies and principles of combat that made the Japanese warrior a terrible foe. It is the only book of its kind in a Western language. Begins with a panoramic survey of the tumultuous early strugles for political ascendancy, outlines the facinating and relentless progression of the military class toward absolute power. Each of the major martial art is then examined in much detail. Covering Bushi, Heimin, centers of martial instruction, armed and unarmed Bujutsu.