The Bubishi is considered, at least from my point of view, as the Bible of Martial Arts. This is a book that contains topics related to Chinese Boxing, generally speaking. It supposedly contains material on philosophy, strategy, technique, etc. yet it does not really promote a fundamental view that is non-specific to a system since it is derived from Chinese boxing.
The fact that it does contain technique specific data for a Chinese boxing view I feel it is limited yet still a valuable text to study. It just does not speak neutrally to martial arts like the I Ching to the changes of life, earth, man, heavens, Universe, etc. where its interpretations can be utilized at any time, any time period and with any culture. It is close in my opinion yet still lacks total neutrality of application.
I am finding one book that does seem to transcend system specificity in other writings. I have only one other document that I feel transcends specificity that being the ken-po goku-i. I have been able to apply that to not only karate/karate-do but to other more philosophical/esoteric matters in life. I guess that is my litmus test, i.e. can it be used for growth, etc. in all facets of human endeavors?
I have been following Patrick Parker Sensei blog Mokuren Dojo as he has posted on BOMP or The Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman so I don't want to duplicate the excellent work he is doing ergo a post on this book as "my book or my bubishi of martial fundamentals/principles."
I equate it as superior yet not to the Bubishi because in my humble opinion Pearlman Sensei has done what I have wanted to do for as long as I have been writing, i.e. to compiles a book like source that will be usable by anyone regardless of the system. Like most martial arts books I was unable to do so and like so many it becomes a book on the system that makes it relative to that system with little ability to pass over to other systems.
The fact that he has been able to keep the entire book pretty much generic so it can be used by all martial systems it seems to me to fit the goal of the Bubishi far better than the Bubishi.
Needless to say, I do recommend this book. I find it an absolute necessity to anyone taking up a martial art whether it be sport oriented or combat oriented.
Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.
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