Legendary Masters of the Martial Arts

MARTIAL ARTS TRANSPORT US TO THE REALMS OF LEGENDS Every day in dojos and training halls, fantastic stories of history’s martial arts heroes are told. Tales of men and women who overpower wild beasts, walk unharmed through a barrage of swords, or single-handedly defeat scores of attackers—they all captivate our imagination and our sense of marvel. Whether presented orally, on screen, or by written word, these legends remain a key element of our collective martial arts culture and naturally inspire wonder about where the facts end and the fiction begins. No stories are more gripping than those surrounding the founders and great masters of modern-day martial arts. This book looks at twelve of the greatest martial arts legends of all time, retelling their common historical lore, examining the known facts, suggesting possible reasons for their longevity, and discussing the key functions that these legends have served martial artists both historically and today. Bodhidharma: A Zen Monk’s Journey to the East Zhang Sanfeng: The Founding of Internal Martial Arts Morihei Ueshiba: The Quest for Ultimate Peace Ng Mui & Yan Yongchun: The Dual Founders of Wing Chun Nai Khanom Tom: The Hero of Ayutthaya Fights for Freedom Choi Hong-Hi: Leading Korea from the Ashes of War Miyamoto Musashi: A Swordsman Meets His Greatest Foe Helio Gracie: Grapplers from the East and West Meet Bruce Lee: Fighting for the Freedom to Teach Kung Fu Bui Thi Xuan: The Swordswoman and the Tiger Gogen Yamaguchi: Returning from the Gulag Masutatsu Oyama: Taking on the Wild “Vivid . . . profound . . . plausible . . . be inspired.” —Shotokan Karate Portal