The Art of Killing

TekSec

TekSec

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There was a documentary on Showtime last night called Budo: The Art of Killing. I was basically a martial arts documentary but at the end (last 20 minutes or so) they showed a Japanese smith traditionally forging a katana. It was cool seeing them hammering out the steel while the master smith rolled and guided the steel. Did anyone else catch this? If not, you really should try to catch it.

Erik
 
Is this the one where they show a recreation at the very end of a guy beheading another guy in a sword duel? Or was that "Bushido"? I am fuzy on it but remeber a movie liek that.
 
Nah, that wasn't this one. It was a documentary through and through. The only cutting going on was the swordsman at the end cutting the dummy posts that simulate human limbs. And yes, they sliced through like butter.
 
I have "Budo: The Art Of Killing" in both the Japanese and the English narrations. Both versions include a simulation of ritual seppuku (suicide) and end with a brief fencing encounter leading to a simulated decapitation of one of the opponents.

In the late 1970's, Anne-Marie and Michel Radom published a text, "The Martial Arts" which covered many of the same topics and individuals seen in "Budo: The Art Of Killing". I've often wondered if there was a connection between their research for the book and the production of the documentary.
 
I have not seen this documentary but have seen others like it. The Japanese smiths really had their technique honed and are a joy to watch.


Many phrases do not easily translate from Japanese to English.
The word, Budo', the martial way, is used, as a catch all, to describe all sorts of things.
The Art of Killing would more likely be found in the code book, written for the warrior: Bushido; The way of the warrior.

Fred
 
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