: It is richly illustrated with numerous photographs of rare documents and exponents demonstrating techniques, many shown outside Japan for the first time. Impact and Relevance

: Mol provides detailed histories of major ryuha (martial schools), often including rare illustrations of founders and photographs of ancient manuscripts.

: The book explores the development of grappling methods from their battlefield roots, such as yoroi kumiuchi (armored combat), into the complex systems of the Edo period.

Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu by Serge Mol is a definitive reference work on the history and evolution of traditional Japanese close-quarter combat. Core Focus and Content

: The author relied on original Japanese source materials and direct consultations with active grandmasters to ensure accuracy.

: The text explains how classical koryu jujutsu served as the foundation for modern budo disciplines like Judo, Aikido, and Kendo.

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