Rare/Antique martial art books in Tokyo

Last time, I talked about a bookstore with rare/antique martial art books in Tokyo.
So, this is a details.

Book stroe name : Kanda Kosho Center.  神田古書センター　
Locate : Jimbocho crossing, Near Jimbocho station exit A6.
You can walk pass a suit shop and find this shop there..
As you see on the picture. Just go straight to this door.
You can find many kind of martial art books from koryu to gendai martial art.

You can finds rare books such as Ninjutsu, Aikido, Karate , Iaido, Kenjutsu, Kendo,
Japanese Jujitsu, Shuriken, weapons.    

I found ninjutsu books from Fujita Seiko here.

BTW, it is a old book does not mean the cost  is low.  :P

 

Martial Arts book store in Tokyo

When you are looking for a martial arts book in Tokyo, you have to find it in a large book store.
If you go to a small shops in a sport section, you may find few books.

I may recommend some bookstores which I usually go to grab a martial art book.
A famous street for book store in Tokyo is near Jimbocho station.
It is called "Kanda book street". However, if you go to Kanda station, you cannot find the book stop there.

You can take several trains to Jimbocho station or Shin ocha no misu.
You may walk from Suidobashi which I posted about Budo shops last time to Jimbocho.

If you need a new book,
I recommend go to Shosen book store (Grande tower).http://info.shosen.co.jp/grande/
Go to underground floor, you will find a martial arts section there.

A strange thing in this shop is....
the sport section is on same floor with Japanese Idol and AV book and DVD on  underground floor.

What you can find there....
Book and DVD - all kinds of martial art from Koryu to Modern martial art.

As I remember ... Karate, Judo, Daito ryu Jujitsu, Jujitsu , Brazilian jujitsu (BJJ),
Pro wrestler, Ninja, Ninjutsu, Taido, Kempo, Kyusho, Boxing, Bujutsu,
Many style of iaido, kendo, self defense, etc.

Also Book about sword, yoroi, sumo, Kungfu, Magazine
There also have some English language books.

Actually, If you know value of some books, you can find a rare book there in very good condition.
(Just looking on the hard cover book....)

If you looking for an old book, ... I will write about it next time.


 

Budo shop in Japan : Suidobashi

If you are martial artist who come to Japan and you hope to find martial art pro shop here, you may fail.
Trust me...the martial equipment shops (budo shop) are difficult to find in Japan.
You cannot find it in small town. Normally, you can find it near the training hall.

I will introduce some shop that I know here. I hope it will help many people.

The first one...
Suidobashi Station, Tokyo 

There are two shops which I usually go to buy some traditional martial art stuff near Tokyo dome city just cross the street.


1. Suidobashi Shokai 水道橋商会
Just next from the exist of subway (A1 exit) .It is well-known shop.
However,  you need some Japanese skill to talk with the shop owner.

This shop is famous for Japanese and Foreigner who live in Japan.

The equipment which you can find in the shop are:
- The equipment which use in Japanese Martial arts Such as Karate, Iaido, Judo, Jujitsu, Kendo, Kobudo, I aido ...
For example Gi for Judo and Karate, Shinai, Bo, Jo, Naginata, Bokken, Kendo equipment, Fukuro Shinai ...
- If you buy the obi (belt) , they have embroider service

However, you need to know some Japanese Language to communicate with the owner.

2. Budogu 

I'm not sure about the name of the shop. However, you just walk from the above shop for 100 meters.
It is a big shop which you can see it easily. They always have a shinai box display outside the show.

In this shop you can find Japanese Martial arts equipment same with the first shop.
Since they are bigger and  have the space, you can walk inside and see the equipment easily.
You can find Kendo, Iaido, Karate weapon such as Sai, Nunchaku, Tonfa.
Also you will see Iaido sword, Kendo bogu, Shuriken, Bo, Jo, etc...

Start the martial artist's blog in Tokyo

I never knows and understand my life ...  

As a martial artist, I trained many style of martial art such as MuayThai, 

Judo , Jujitsu, Aikido , Karate, GJJ, Taekwondo ...   

Finally, I have chosen a Kobudo style (Old style martial art) that 

I have trained in several weapons and old style techniques. 

It becomes a part om my life for many years for the training. 

However, I still in love with all martial art and love to find the information of them.

This years, I have a good chance to live in Tokyo, Japan. 

That is for both education and work.  

I start this blog give some information to people who interest to study any Japanese martial art in Japan. 

Especially, for people who live in Tokyo.