Born in 1970 in Christchurch, New Zealand, Alex Bennett received a doctoral degree from Kyoto University in 2001, and another from the University of Canterbury in 2012. After working at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and then Teikyo University's Department of Japanese Culture, he is now employed as a Professor at Kansai University where he lectures on Japanese history and culture. From 2023, Alex was also appointed Director of the International Budo University's Budo and Sports Research Institute. Alex currently serves as Vice President of the International Naginata Federation, All Japan Kendo Federation International Committee, All Japan Jukendo Federation International Committee, Director of the Japanese Academy of Budo, and represents NZ Kendo as a Board Director and delegation leader of the national team. He founded and is Editor-in-Chief of Kendo World, the world’s first English language journal dedicated to Kendo, and holds the ranks of Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan, Iaido Renshi 6-dan, Naginata 5-dan, Jukendo Renshi 6-dan, Tankendo Renshi 6-dan. Alex also studies the classical martial arts of Tendo-ryu and Jikishin Kage-ryu. He has competed successfully at international competitions for Naginata and Kendo, and established the Seitokenyukai club in Christchurch. He lives in Kyoto.
Degree
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Japanese Studies Ph.D. ( 2012.9 University of Canterbury (NZ) )
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Human Studies and Sciences Ph.D. ( 2000.9 Kyoto University )
Research Interests
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Budo; Bushido; Kendo; Martial Arts; Sport History; Japanese History; Japanese Culture; Comparative Culture
Research Areas
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Humanities & Social Sciences / History of thought
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Humanities & Social Sciences / Japanese history / Budo; Bushido
Education
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University of Canterbury Faculty of Literature Asian Studies, Japanese Language
- 1994
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Kyoto University Graduate School, Division of Human and Environmental Studies Japanese Cultural Studies
2001
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University of Canterbury Graduate School, Division of Language and Culture Japanese Culture
2012
Country： New Zealand
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University of Canterbury Graduate School, Division of Language and Culture Japanese Studies
1996
Professional Memberships
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Japan-New Zealand Society
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New Zealand Society
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Japanese Cultural Education Research Society
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Japanese Academy of Budo
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Shinto Kokusai Gakkai
Committee Memberships
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Japanese Academy of Budo Editorial Committee
2022.9 - Present
Committee type：Academic society
Papers
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Zanshin and Instruction Part 2: "Look at the Person Before Preaching the Dharma"
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 36 - 45 2024.7
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Zanshin and Instruction Part 1: The Mindset of an Instructor
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 41 2024.6
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Zanshin and the Dojo Part 3: The Decline of Craftsmanship
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 41 2024.5
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Zanshin and the Dojo Part 2: The Importance of 'Degeiko'
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 40 2024.4
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Building Future Skills for Society 5.0: Educational DX (Digital Transformation) of University Education in Japan Reviewed
Keiko Ikeda, Alexander Bennett et al
Kansai University Higher Education Research ( 第15号 ) 97 - 103 2024.3
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Zanshin and the Dojo Part 1: Sacred Space
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 36 - 44 2024.3
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Zanshin and Shiai Part 3: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Pursuing Victory
Alexand Bennett
Budo Monthly 60 - 68 2024.2
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Zanshin and Shiai Part 2: 'The Righteousness of the Referee'
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 62 - 69 2024.1
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Zanshin and Shiai Part 1: The Beauty of Ippon
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 36 - 43 2023.12
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Zanshin and Keiko Part 3: "Divine Change in Practice" Through Consistency and Variation
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 39 2023.11
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Zanshin and Keiko Part 2: Focus on the Fundamentals
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 39 2023.10
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Zanshin and Keiko Part 1: The Perpetual Observance of Etiquette
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 1 - 7 2023.9
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Zanshin and 'Human Development' Part 3: Inheritance and Conveyance of Traditional Elements
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 38 2023.8
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Zanshin and 'Human Development' Part 2: As a Philosophy of Modern Budo
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 35 - 41 2023.7
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Zanshin and 'Human Development' Part 1: The Conceptualisation of Modern Budo Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 48 - 54 2023.6
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The History of Zanshin Part 4: "Zanshin in Other Cultures" Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 38 2023.5
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The History of Zanshin Part 3: "Zanshin in Other Budo" Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 30 - 35 2023.4
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The History of Zanshin Part 2 Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 36 - 41 2023.3
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The History of Zanshin Part 1 Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 56 - 61 2023.2
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The Essence of Budo is to be Found in Zanshin Invited
Alexander Bennett
Budo Monthly 32 - 37 2023.1
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"Assessing the Intrinsic Contradictions in Hagakure"
Alexander Bennett
Kokushikan University Institute of Budo and Moral Education "Butoku Kiyo Butoku Kiyo" No. 30 61-73頁 2014.8
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Proceedings of the 2013 International Budo Conference
Alexander Bennett et al
2013.12
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"Case Study of Budo for the Disabled: Compulsory Budo Education in Junior High Schools and the Realization of Inclusive Education"
Matsui Kantaro, Alexander Bennet
Budo and Sport Science Research Vol. 18 89-98頁 89 - 98 2013.6
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Sketching the Life and Career of F.J. Norman - Western Kendo Pioneer
Alexander Bennett
Institute of Budo and Moral Education Butoku Kiyo 77-88頁 2012.7
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The 'Unique' and 'Universal' Attributes of Budo
Alexander Bennett
Research Journal of Budo 44-3、145-152頁 2012.3
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Modern Budo's Role on the International Stage
Alexander Bennett
Kokugakuin University Human Development Research Vol. 3 45-52頁 2011.12
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Research into Budo for the Disabled: Training with Long and Short Staffs
Matsui Kantaro, Alexander Bennet
Budo and Sport Science Research No. 16 91-96頁 2011.3
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Various Problems Faced by Modern Budo: The Internationalization of Budo
Kashiwazaki Katsuhiko, Alexander Bennett
Budo and Sport Science Research 第15号、1-27頁 2010.8
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The Potential for Budo in the Next Century
Inoshita Kaori, Alexander Bennet
IBU Budo Research 第15号、87-92頁 2010.8
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Investigation into Budo for Disabled People - Sight Impairment and Karate
Matsui Kantaro, Alexander Bennet
Budo and Sport Science Research 第15号、81-86頁 2010.8
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Japanese Budō in South East Asia- Shōrinji Kempō in Indonesia
Alexander Bennett, Duncan Robert Mark
International Research Center for Japanese Studies IRCJS International Symposium Proceedings No. 14, "Globalization, Localization, and Japanese Studies in the Asia-Pacific Region" 37-50頁 2010.3
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Some Thoughts on the Emergence and 'Aesthetic Asceticism' of Ryūha-bugei
Alexander Bennett
Kokushikan University Institute of Budo and Moral Education "Butoku Kiyo Butoku Kiyo" No. 26 59-75頁 ( 26 ) 59 - 75 2010.3
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Alexander Bennett
Institute of Budo and Moral Education 53-59頁 ( 25 ) 53 - 59 2009.3
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Spiritual Sports: The 'Civilizing Process' of Japanese Swordsmanship from the Tokugawa Period and Beyond
Alexander Bennett
Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan 21巻、173-193頁 2008.11
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A Synopsis of Status Change in the ‘Zainichi Korean’ Diaspora
Alexander Bennett, Michael Ishimatsu-Prime
Teikyo University Faculty of Letters Kiyo- Japanese Culture 第39号、208-232頁 2008.3
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アレキサンダー・ベネット, マイケル・石松プライム
帝京大学文學部紀要. 日本文化学 ( 39 ) 2008.1
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The Forgotten English Kenshi
Alexander Bennett
Teikyo University Faculty of Letters Bulletin - Japanese Culture 第38号、301-314頁 2007.4
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A Brief Synopsis of the History of Modern Kendo
Alexander Bennett
Kendo World Journal, KW Publications Vol. 3.1、6-15頁 2004.4
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The International Dissemination of Naginata: Part 1- The Attitudes of Non-Japanese Practitioners in Regards to Naginata as a Way of Spiritual Development
Alexander bennett
Japanese Academy of Budo Naginata Research Division Report Vol. 1 2004.1
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The First Western Swordsman in Japan
Alexander Bennett
International Research Center for Japanese Studies "Nichibunken" 30号、56-62頁 2003.10
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The Situation of Kendo-gu Outside Japan
Alexander Bennett
KW Publications, Kendo World Journal Vol. 2 Issue No. 1 (62-66頁) 2003.3
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Westerner's Attitudes Toward Shinai
Alexander Bennett
KW Publications, Kendo World Journal Vol. 1 Issue No. 4 (62-64頁) 2002.12
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The Importance of 'Rei' in Kendo
Alexander Bennett
KW Publications, Kendo World Journal Vol. 1 Issue No. 3 (67-69頁) 2002.7
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Foreign Attitudes Toward Gradings in Kendo
Alexander Bennett
KW Publications, Kendo World Journal Vol. 1 Issue No. 2 (54-58頁) 2002.4
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Survey: Kendo and the Olympics
Alexander Bennett, Hamish Robison
KW Publications, Kendo World Journal Vol. 1 Issue No.1 (51-55頁) 2001.12
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The Role of Honor in the Symbolic Complex of Bushi Culture
Alexander Bennett
Japanese Cultural Studies, Kyoto University 第3号 2001.12
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A Study of Kendo Technical Terms – Shisei, Kamae
Oya Minoru, Alexander Bennett
International Budo University "Budo and Sport Science Research Vol. 5" 第5号、11-17頁 2000.11
Books
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Karate's Universal Codeword: The Mysterious Origins, Meaning and Usage of the Word OSU in the Martial Arts
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator , Original_author： Ohmori Toshinori）
Tuttle Pub 2025.1 （ ISBN:4805317655 ）
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The Philosophy of Surpassing Boundaries
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Shueisha 2024.7 （ ISBN:4087213226 ）
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An Insider's Guide to the Japanese Martial Arts : A New Look at Japan's Fighting Traditions
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Tuttle 2023.6 （ ISBN:4805317116 ）
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The Meiji Restoration and Popular Culture
Takii Kazuhiro, Alistair Swale（ Role： Joint author）
Shibunkaku 2023.4 （ ISBN:4784220577 ）
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Developing Global Human Resources in the Post-Covid Era - A Paradigm Shift in International Education at Universities
Ikeda Keiko, Maeda Yutaka, Fujita Takao, Yamamoto Eiichi, Motomura Yasunori, Alexander Benne, Don Bysouth, Iwasaki Chiaki, Furukawa Tomoki, Sajjad Pouromid（ Role： Joint author）
Kansai University Press 2023.3 （ ISBN:4873547598 ）
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Karate: Its History and Practice
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator , Original_author： Koyama Masashi, Wada Koji, Kadekaru Toru）
Nippon Budokan 2021.8 （ ISBN:458311401X ）
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True Translation of "The Book of Five Rings": Transcending the Self, Mastering the Way
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
PHP 2021.7 （ ISBN:4569849881 ）
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Memoirs of a Kamikaze: A World War II Pilot's Inspiring Story of Survival, Honor and Reconciliation
Odate Kazuo, Ota Shigeru, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Joint translator）
Tuttle Pub. 2020.9 （ ISBN:480531575X ）
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Bushido Explained: The Japanese Samurai Code - A New Interpretation for Beginners
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Tuttle Pub 2020.2 （ ISBN:0804857989 ）
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The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works
Miyamoto Musashi, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
Tuttle Pub. 2019.6 （ ISBN:4805316160 ）
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Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan
Nitobe Inazo, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Joint author）
Tuttle Pub 2019.2 （ ISBN:4805314893 ）
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Bushido and the Art of Living: An Inquiry into Samurai Values
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture 2017.3 （ ISBN:4916055861 ）
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Naginata: History and Practice
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Bunkasha International 2016.7 （ ISBN:4907009208 ）
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Strategy and the Art of Peace: Tenshinshō-den Katori shintō-ryū
大竹, 利典, Lee, Daniel, Bennett, Alexander（ Role： Supervisor (editorial)）
Nippon Budokan 2016.2 （ ISBN:4583109849 ）
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Bennett, Alexander（ Role： Sole author）
University of California Press 2015.7 （ ISBN:0520284372 ）
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Ideology of the sword : a spiritual history of Japanese culture
Sakai Toshinobu, Christopher Yang, Alexander Benne（ Role： Supervisor (editorial)）
Nippon Budokan 2015.2 （ ISBN:4583107889 ）
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Ken Zen Sho - The Zen Calligraphy and Painting of Yamaoka Tesshu
Alexander Benne, Sarah Moate（ Role： Joint author）
Bunkasha International 2014.10 （ ISBN:4907009089 ）
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Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai
山本, 常朝, Bennett, Alexander（ Role： Sole translator）
Tuttle Pub. 2014.5 （ ISBN:4805311983 ）
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The Bushido That Japanese Don't Know
ALexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Bungei Shunju 2013.7 （ ISBN:4166609262 ）
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Kendo World Journal Volume 6
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Edit）
Bunkasha International 2013.6
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IBU Budo Series Volume 3 - Budo in the Global Era: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Issues Pertaining to Globalisation
Uozumi Takashi, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Joint translator）
The Budo and Sports Science Research Institute 2013.3 （ ISBN:9784998089377 ）
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Curriculum Development and Classroom Practice for 'Tradition and Culture'
Nakamura Tetsu（ Role： Contributor）
Kazama Shobo 2012.3 （ ISBN:475991921X ）
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IBU Budo Series III
Uozumi Takashi（ Role： Joint author）
The Budo and Sports Science Research Institute 2012.2 （ ISBN:9784998089360 ）
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The Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Translator/Editor）
All Japan Kendo Federation 2011.8
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Kendo World Journal Volume 5
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Edit）
Bunkasha International 2011.6
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Budo: The Martial Ways of Japan
Nippon Budokan（ Role： Sole translator）
Nippon Budokan, Baseball Magazine-sha 2011.4 （ ISBN:499016945X ）
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The Official Guide for Kendo Instruction
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
All Japan Kendo Federation 2011.4
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The History and Spirit of Budo (IBU Budo Series 1)
Uozumi Takashi, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Joint editor）
The Budo and Sports Science Research Institute 2010.8 （ ISBN:9784998089346 ）
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Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation
Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Svinth（ Role： Contributor）
ABC-CLIO 2010.6 （ ISBN:1598842439 ）
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A Bilingual Guide to the History of Kendo
Sakai Toshinobu, Alexander Benne（ Role： Sole translator）
スキージャーナル 2010.5 （ ISBN:4789900746 ）
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Kendo World Journal Volume 4
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Edit）
Bunkasha International 2009.6
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The Bushi Ethos and its Evolution: An Investigation of the Socio-historical Thought of Bushido
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Shibunkaku 2009.4 （ ISBN:4784214267 ）
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Jigoro Kano and the Kodokan: An Innovative Response to Modernisation
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Kodokan Judo Institute 2009.4
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IBU Budo Series I
Uozumi Takashi, Alexander Bennet（ Role： Sole author）
The Budo and Sports Science Research Institute 2008.7
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Training Method for Fundamental Kendo Techniques with a Bokuto
Alexander Benne（ Role： Sole translator）
All Japan Kendo Federation 2008.4
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Building Confidence in East Asian Oceans
Kawakatsu Heita, Alexander Bennet（ Role： Sole author）
NIRA 2007.10
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The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan's Martial Arts
Alexander Bennet
Japan Foundation 2007.8
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Kendo World Journal Volume 3
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
KW Publications 2007.6
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The Kendo Grading Book + DVD (NTSC)
Yoshiyama Mitsuru, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
Bunkasha International 2006.12 （ ISBN:4990169468 ）
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I'm a Bushido Freak
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Shogakkan 2006.1 （ ISBN:4093876266 ）
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Budo in Japanese Education
Alexander Bennett, Yamada Shoji（ Role： Joint editor）
Meiji Tosho 2005.11 （ ISBN:4187086102 ）
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A Comparative History of Nobles and Warriors
Kasaya Kazuhiko（ Role： Contributor）
Shibunkaku 2005.9 （ ISBN:4784212566 ）
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Berkshire Encyclopedia of World Sport
David Levinson, Karen Christensen（ Role： Contributor）
Berkshire Pub. Group 2005.6 （ ISBN:0974309117 ）
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The Environment and Civilization
Yamaori Tetsuo, Alexander Benne（ Role： Contributor）
NTT Publishing 2005.6 （ ISBN:4757141181 ）
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Naginata : The Definitive Guide
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author , Original_author： Alexander Benne）
Bunkasha International 2005.6 （ ISBN:4990169441 ）
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Budo Perspectives
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Edit）
Bunkasha International 2005.5 （ ISBN:4990169433 ）
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Kenshi ni Tsugu
Otsuka Tadayoshi（ Role： Contributor）
Madosha 2005.1 （ ISBN:4896250710 ）
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Kendo World Journal Volume 2
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
KW Publications 2004.4
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Karate My Life
Kanazawa Hirokazu, Alexander Benne（ Role： Sole translator）
Nippon Budokan 2003.10 （ ISBN:4907009399 ）
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The Winds of Japanese Culture in Schools
Nakamura Tetsu（ Role： Contributor）
Meiji Tosho 2003.10 （ ISBN:4181487164 ）
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FJ Norman's the Fighting Man of Japan
F.J. Norman, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Contributor）
Bunkasha International 2003.7 （ ISBN:4990169409 ）
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Kendo Kata : Essence and Application
Inoue Yoshihiko, Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
Bunkasha International 2003.7 （ ISBN:4990169417 ）
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Kendo World Journal Volume 1
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
KW Publications 2002.12
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Japan as I See it - Budo as I See it
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole author）
Nippon Budokan Foundation 2001.4
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Diane Skoss（ Role： Joint author）
Koryu Books 1999.2 （ ISBN:1890536059 ）
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Sports V Course Naginata
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
International Naginata Federation 1996.2
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Illustrated Naginata
Alexander Bennett（ Role： Sole translator）
All Japan Naginata Federation 1990.12
MISC
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アレキサンダー・ベネット, マイケル・石松プライム
帝京大学文學部紀要. 日本文化学 ( 39 ) 2008.1
Presentations
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Is Budo Sports? The Uniqueness of Martial Arts as part of Japanese Culture Invited
Alexander Bennett
Japan University Physical Education Federation - National Training Workshop 2024.8
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"Flossie Le Mar and Early jujutsu in New Zealand"
Alexander Bennett
2016.9
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Japanese Language Education in New Zealand
Alexander Bennett
2016.7
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The ‘Recivilising’ Process of Kendo in the Immediate Post-war Period: An Analysis of the Significance of Shinai-Kyogi
Alexander Bennett
2013.9
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The Characteristics of Injuries Incurred by Junior Karate Athletes
Inoshita Kaori, Alexander Bennet
2013.9
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The Role of Modern Budo on an International Stage
Alexander Bennett
2011.11
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The International Dissemination of Budo
Alexander Bennett
2011.8
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Japanese Spiritual Sports: An Analysis of the Changing Role of Martial Arts in Education
Alexander Bennett
2011.1
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The ‘Fascistization’ of Japan’s Traditional Martial Arts
Alexander Bennett
2011.1
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Recent Trends at the World Kendo Championships
Alexander Bennett
2010.3
Social Activities
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Honganji Shinmuryoin Representative (Sodai)
2024.3 - Present
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New Zealand Kendo Federation Director
2020.9 - Present
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All Japan Jukendo Federation International Committee
2019.4 - Present
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All Japan Kendo Federation International Committee
2013.7 - Present
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New Zealand Kendo Federation National Coach
2011.3 - Present
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International Naginata Federation Vice President
2004.7 - Present
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Kendo World Journal- Editor-in-Chief
2001.1 - Present