Art of War by Sun Tsu
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke by Thomas F Cleary, PH.D., Oscar Ratti (Illustrator), Yuzan Daidoji
The Canon of Judo: Classic Teachings on Principles and Techniques by Kyuzo Mifune, Fran Oise White (Translator)
Karate-Do: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi
The Kyokushin Way: Mas. Oyama's Karate Philosophy by Masutatsu Oyama
Lost Tai-chi classics from the late Ching Dynasty by Douglas Wile (translator)
Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings
As you said, most guarded what they did. That said if you want good books on martial arts I would recommend anything translated by Wiliam Scott Wilson, his translation of "Book of 5 rings" was given an award by Japan. "Hagakure" is a must for anyone serious in the time period.
It you are interested there in Karate, (Okinawa rather than mainland) there are great books that were written after the fact but close to it. I would tell you to find "Tales of Okinawa's great masters" by Shoshin Nagamine, the first true Karate historian. There are some books translated by Mario Mckenna which are very interesting to those who study Okinawan Karate ( http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/bechurinat... )
If you are interested in techniques with medical implications, mine is the only one that uses Medical and Academic references as far as I know (http://karatedr.com/book-about-kata/ )
We don't know that as martial artists there is something called google.
Hello. I love reading ancient books and texts written in their time. I was wondering if anyone knew any good reads, such as combat manuals, original instructions, stuff like that. I know the Samurai greatly guarded their secrets, so there's not a lot on that. Even if it's not combat related, I'm still interested in ancient books written in their time. Anyone know any?
Thanks
