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This project was inspired when we received source materials from a journalist who interviewed many martial artists in Japan in the 60’s.
The purpose of the project is to rediscover the personality, knowledge as well as the experience of Takamatsu Sensei from his own words, getting a fresh perspective, that of the historical angle. Those interviews were written with different people who claimed to be ninja during the ninja boom in Japan.
How do you understand someone, if you don’t understand their mind?
If all we did was provide a translation from Japanese to English of Takamatsu Sensei’s own words, so much would be lost, that we wouldn’t be able to get a clear picture of who he was, what he did and what his life was like. Of course these articles gave a lot of insight but the problem is, those insights can't be understood without all the pieces of the puzzle. Different documents such as the letters he wrote to Hatsumi Sensei, certain scrolls, certain writings he wrote here and there for different purposes. They all come together to finish the puzzle and paint a picture of what he was really like.
So when we study an author, a writer, a columnist, like Takamatsu Sensei for example, it is important to be aware of everything he did and to be aware of all the nuances and contexts involved.
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As said above, this book is much more than a literal translation of what Takamatsu Toshitsugu said. We want to go further than that and explain who this person was.
While providing readers with an important flow of information that will allow them to form their own idea of what real Japanese thought on martial arts is . But also to fill certain gaps in martial history and its transmission. For that it requires reliable sources some of which are written in kanbun (Chinese writing), and a thorough investigation.
This book has been a passion project by a dedicated historian, and we hope it provides a fitting service to the martial art community.
Foreword
Straight from the outset, we reached out to Soke Hatsumi Masaaki, the direct heir of Takamatsu Toshitsugu, as well as Ishizuka Tetsuji who also met Takamatsu Toshitsugu to tell them about our project, in order to receive their consent and blessings. They very much appreciated the sincere effort we decided to undertake, and they honored us by agreeing to write the foreword.
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Appear as sponsor
This project would not be possible without your support and participation, we would like to recognize you as a sponsor of this project. For that, and for those who will it of course, we wish to name you as supporters of the campaign. In order to thank everyone, and so that Soke Hatsumi can see it’s not just a dozen people but that of a community that he built and which pays him homage today, gathered together to be inspired by his Master.
Tenugui of a gokui from Takamatsu Toshitsugu
For any perk you choose, you will receive a tenugui with Takamatsu Toshitsugu's crest on it, called maru no ichi that he had in front of his restaturant. There is also written a gokui of Takamatsu Toshitsugu : 極意は心に有る (gokui wa kokoro ni aru)
Which mean : The secret is in heart
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Book Standard edition
Even if it is called a "Standard" version, we were keen to make a high quality book, while remaining at an affordable price, a task which was not easy.
So naturally we turned to the ESCOURBIAC printer in France, to assist us and bring us their expertise in order to make this book a beautiful object.
This printer is renowned, award-winning and respectful of the environment and its employees.
Specs:
- Wide format: 6,3' (16cm) x 9,4' (24 cm)
- Cover:
- Wrapping: laminated canvas rolled up on 20/10 ° cardboard
- Front printing: Quadricolor
- Inside:
- Paper: Munken Print White main 1.8 80g/m2
- Printing: Black front/back
- Guards:
- Paper: Munken Lynx 150g/m2
- Printing: Black front
- Hardcover, round spine
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Book Deluxe edition
In the "Deluxe" version we wanted to make the book as beautiful as possible and free from the confine of cost. To make it an exceptional book to pay homage to Takamatsu Toshitsugu but also to his disciple Hatsumi Masaaki. This is why, in this version, we have added colored guard pages with Takamatsu Toshitsugu gokui, a case, a bookmark, 3 pages for autographs and each version will be numbered. It will also be personalized with a dedication by Kacem Zoughari.
Specs:
- Wide format: 6,3' (16cm) x 9,4' (24 cm)
- Cover:
- Wrapping: laminated canvas rolled up on 20/10 ° cardboard
- Front printing: Quadricolor
- Inside:
- Paper: Munken Print White main 1.8 80g/m2
- Printing: Black front/back
- Guards:
- Paper: Munken Lynx 150g/m2
- Printing: Gold front
- Gokui from Takamatsu
- Hardcover, round spine
- Bookmark
- Case
- Numbered
- Signed by Kacem Zoughari
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Live lecture for group purchases
For group purchases we decided to offer a live lecture on one of four different topics related to martial arts and ninjutsu.
Each group will choose the one it prefers.
This live will be for 1h30 on any of the topics below, in english or french. One hour for the presentation and the last thirty minutes will be for questions.
And each one will receive his own copy of the book and a tenugui.
Topics :
- Analysis of movement in classical schools
- Mizu ka ga mi (水かが見) makimono from 1678
- Yoshi mori hyaku shuu (よしもり百首) makimono from 1650
- Satteki sanju niso (察敵三十二相) makimono from 1689
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Dr. Kacem Zoughari holds a Doctorate in Japanese Language, Civilization and Literature from the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris (INALCO). His thesis is on “Tradition of movement in classical combat schools in Japan”.
He is winner of numerous research grants including the Lavoisier grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In Japan in 2012, he worked as a guest researcher at Nichibunken in Kyoto. Specialist in field of the history of classical martial arts in Japan, his research is based on the historical and epistemological analysis of transmission documents (Densho) written during the Momoyama-Azuchi (1573-1603) and Edo (1603-1868) periods.
During this period in Japan, he joined the Nihon Budo Gakkai. In the meantime he has written more than 25 articles for several magazines around the world such as "Arts Martiaux Traditionnels d’Asie", "Karaté-Bushido" or "Martial Arts & Sports Magazine". He has also published several books including the famous "Ninpo, Ninjutsu: L’ombre de la lumière" in 2003 or "The Ninja" in 2009 which will be translated into several languages including German, Italian, Spanish ...
Staying regularly in Japan since 1990, Kacem Zoughari is also graduate of nine classical combat schools, of which Soke Hatsumi Masaaki is the heir. Kacem is also the direct student of Ishizuka Tetsuji and continues to practice under his guidance.
He is in great demand around the world for conferences and courses for various groups, private individuals, special forces, museums, universities, etc.
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Dr. Kacem Zoughari has already written many books which have had great success with specialists and researchers in field on martial arts and history of Japan. All his books start from historical sources and his classical training in history at INALCO, guarantee the independence necessary for their studies.
The project is almost complete, Kacem has decided to add some bonus material. Its layout and format is at 90%, we need few more weeks to refine details but the shape is there. Our goal is to offer you the very best and highest quality possible, in sources as well translation and even in its layout. It has been more than a year in the making and we are excited to bring you a book that is not only done right, but we are also dedicated in bringing you an experience like no other. It is with this passion, enthusiasm and drive, that we succeeded in gaining the confidence of Hatsumi Masaaki and Ishizuka Tetsuji.
Our designer - Book design and visuals were done by Matthew Childs. Matthew is a designer and filmmaker based out of Los Angeles, California and a practitioner of Japanese martial arts. Matthew has helped us define the theme of this project and create our awesome videos and marketing materials.
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We are expecting to deliver the first set for February, if our goal is reached.
We decided to trust the printer ESCOUBIAC, in France, to assiste us in this project. It occurred to us that to do something quality we have to surround yourself with quality people. This printing company is renowned and has won awards, and makes good use of both craftsmanship and ethics. They received three "Cadrat d’or", a top distinction in the printing field in France. They are also respectful of the environment and their employees.
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