Medieval Warrior Cultures of Europe and Japan: Body, Mind, Sword

Willy Pieter, Ph.D., is involved in interdisciplinary martial arts research in several countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. He received his doctorate in physical education from the University of Oregon in Eugene. Recently Dr. Pieter was a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Sports Studies, at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. As a leading scholar in the martial arts field, Dr. Pieter is an author with a lengthy list of publications, and a regular presenter at international conferences. John Michael Greer, B.A., is an American author and independent scholar with a focus on esoteric studies. He translated Academy of the Sword (Academie de l'Espée), by Girard Thibault. Originally published in 1630, the book is "the most elaborate manual of swordsmanship ever published in any language, packed with hundreds of clearly described and illustrated techniques." Greer's work sheds light on European sword systems, and indirectly brings a fine source to compare with Asian sword systems. Matthew Galas, M.A., is an American attorney working at the NATO Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. An avid fencer since 1977, Mr. Galas is proficient in foil, épée, and saber. In addition, he studied the Japanese sword arts of kendo and iaido for five years. Mr. Galas has been studying the fencing manuals of medieval Germany, sword in hand, since 1982. He is currently at work on a book about Johannes Liechtenauer and the fighting arts of medieval Germany.