Shorin Ryu Books

This book is the sequel and companion volume to "Samurai, Scoundrels, and Saints", which I have also reviewed; please see that review for details on Dr. Clarke's approach to his subject matter, and details on his own background. As noted there, Dr. Clarke's collections occupy a place of honor on my martial arts bookshelf next to O-Sensei Richard Kim's wonderful books, "The Classical Man" and "The Weaponless Warriors".

Like "Samurai", this book is meticulously researched (eighty reference sources, and over one hundred endnotes) and written in a non-scholarly style that will be accessible to all readers. But as highly as I recommend "Samurai", I believe that this book has a warmth and richness of emotion that surpasses the first volume's. In addition, this time around Dr. Clarke has provided more background for the stories, as well as "family trees" for Zen and tai chi traditions that aid greatly in appreciating the stories. This collection is an utter delight to read, savor, and re-read.

This book is fantastic. It is about the development of traditional Martial Arts as seen thru the eyes of the Great Master Nagamine. Anyone who is at all interested in Okinawan Karate and History should read this book.

Others have copied the formant of this book as can be seen in the title Okinawan Karate "the teachings of Master Eihachi Ota".

The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do is the original book that others emanate.

Sensei Nagamine shares his heart, as well as his art, in this excellent book. The history of the martial arts development as well as its forms and function are presented in an easy-to-read format. For those who are students of the martial arts, especially Shorin-Ryu, this is an insight into the mindset of one of Okinawa's greatest teachers. It is a "must have" for the traditional student who wants to preserve the original kata forms and legacy of Grandmaste Nagamine.

This book is well worth the price, it helps you reinforce your instructions. It also prepares you for the next step. Great

Like other authors, Nagamine starts on his beginnings as a karate man. While interesting I found the photos of katas more beneficial. Whether you come from a different style of karate, or are just forgetful of what the next move is, the photos will help you understand the basic movements a kata takes. However, this book will not teach you how to perform the moves correctly, and they will not be exactly the same as your instructor's.

Do not say that you study Matsubayashi-ryu unless you own and study this book. My instructor, a sixth degree black belt, carries it in his duffel bag. I do likewise.

The first section is a good review of the history of the matsubayashi system and of the principles of martial arts. The bulk of the book contains photographs of Nagamine, the author, demonstrating kata. I have been able to learn and practice kata between lessons without waiting to ask my instructor this or that question. Consequently, I have progressed very rapidly.

However, speed of progression is not the point of the book. The point is that karate is and should be practiced as a martial art. If you want to know what that means, you MUST read this book.

This is an ok book, wish it was organized a lot better though, namely the question and answer sections. Since its a Q&A book, it would seem inherent that they should organize it better, but they definitely fail in that.

It's hard to find good books on Shorin-Ryu. It could be that I'm picky since I've been studying martial arts since I was 7-- There are a few things I would have to disagree on. They seem to try to go into the philosophy of that art without fully understanding some elements? But I'm no master so maybe I'm missing something.

They give strong opinions without backing them up, which is a bit irritating too. I think if your going to state that you should study weapons before open hand, you should give a darn good reason. Some research is just down right wrong, not sure where they got it from?

but all in all, it has a lot of info you wont find anywhere else. It's a great read, but take it with a grain of salt.

This book gives some of the many questions that are asked about Shorin-Ryu Matsubayashi. This is a good book for new and older students to review from time to time. The answers are thoughtful and colorful.

It took me a while to purchase this book. But once I got it, I have no regrets whatsoever. Its informative and eye-pleasing to read. Mr. Scaglione and Mr. Cummings really did a great a job. In fact I recomended this book to several of my students.


Prince Loeffler
Shugyokan Shorin Ryu Dojo
www.alljapankarate.com

As a student of Mr. Scaglione, I can whole heartedly reccommend this book. He writes the same information in his book as he teaches in his classes, and this book is considered a bible throughout the school(currently 19 dojos). This book offers clear, concise information about the origins of karate and it's kata, about the courtesy involved, and about all the "details" associated with the art. Learn how to store your gi, how to tie your belt, the japanese terms commonly used in karate class, the traditions of the art, etc. This book is not meant to teach karate, but it is an invaluable source for any student of karate.

This book was recommended to me by my sensei and I am pleased to share it with others. This is a book of lists, quizzes, and general tips and information presented in an extremely well-organized and interesting manner. It clearly points out key information and has helped me greatly with my studies. Most sources are either overwhelmingly detailed or oversimplified and it is difficult to sort through and figure out key concepts. This book does the work for you and is a convenient (and very portable!) challenging study guide.

This is one of the very few sources of information about Fukyugata San available, with photos and descriptions of Ueshiro Sensei performing the kata.

There are a few errors/debatable answers in the book (the kata information list is a good example), so if something doesn't seem right to you, check other places. This book is by no means a complete resource, but is invaluable when used with other sources of information.

This book and its companion volume, "Warriors and Wisemen", occupy a place of honor on my martial arts bookshelf next to O-Sensei Richard Kim?s matchless collections, "The Classical Man" and "The Weaponless Warriors".

Like Sensei Kim, Dr. Clarke collects stories that draw from rich martial arts traditions that developed over many centuries in many countries. He groups the stories in general categories such as Strategy, Treachery, Enlightenment, Women Warriors, and Valor. The stories have been drawn from many primary and secondary sources -- the bibliography lists over a hundred articles and books -- and while no book written in the twentieth century can claim to be authoritative (we can't truly know everything that happened in a battle or an encounter that occurred centuries ago), these tales give us a vivid sense that we are there as events are unfolding. In this way, Dr. Clarke's recreations of battles have much the feel of the ones that Sensei Dave Lowry imagines in "Autumn Lightning", another wonderful book.

Dr. Clarke encourages the reader to skip around the book, rather than reading it sequentially. This is the approach I took; reading each story in order might be overwhelming, particularly with the level of detail and the dizzying number of people that fill some stories (particularly the ones about pitched battles in feudal Japan).

Apropos, my one quibble with the book is that readers who are not students of this period of Japanese history in particular can be overwhelmed by the cast of characters and the events in some stories; a timeline and/or glossary of names would have been useful. But this is a small point. There is much here to satisfy all interested readers -- martial artists, students of military history and/or Japanese feudalism -- whether casual or serious. A bonus is the set of 121 endnotes, which provide extra information for scholar and armchair enthusiast alike. I recommend this book highly to all students and followers of the martial arts.

On a personal note, I've met and trained with Dr. Clarke at seminars, and have come away deeply impressed by his seemingly endless supplies of skill, energy, and knowledge. He shares all three generously; I've been particularly fortunate to have corresponded with him on questions I had on kata and traditions. His responses to my simple queries contained an astonishing amount of information and analysis, returned lightning fast, seemingly off the top of his head. This book is a reflection of that deep knowledge and understanding.

KISE Fuse Sensei is one of only a few living Okinawans left alive to have studied seriously under Respected Karate Sensei SOKEN Hohan. This book is, as far as I know, the _only_ publication on one of SOKEN Sensei's style derivatives, or by one of SOKEN's students in any language (having been published earlier in Japanese).

A nice little volume detailing KISE Sensei's basic autobiography (192 pages total), the roots of KISE's Kenshinkan System, and including with complete photographic demonstrations the 6 Kata KISE +added+ to SOKEN Sensei's original repetoir. Kata included are: Pinan Sandan (page 97), Pinan Yondan (pg 100), Pinan Godan (pg104), Wansu (pg 108), Anunku (pg 114), And Seisan (pg 118).

KISE apparently learned these 6 kata from one of his earlier teachers, NAKAMURA Shigeru of Okinawan Seibukan Shorin-Ryu (at the time I believe called Shorinji-Ryu after Shaolin Temple of customary Chinese history, NOT to be confused with the Japanese Shorinji Kempo), and imparted his own unique flavor in keeping with his years of training with Soken Sensei and experience in other Native Okinawan Karate Styles. Fellow students and friends of KISE's in earlier times in the study of the Shorinji-Ryu School of NAKAMURA time were ODO Seikichi and OYATA Taiku.

Historians today suspect that Pinan 1 & 2 were created first, then Pinan 3-5 may have been created by ITOSU Anko and thus disseminated throughout Okinawa...and Japan, as Karate reached the mainland through ITOSU's students MABUNI and FUNAKOSHI, and steadily grew more linear, elongated in stance and militaristic. On Okinawa however, Pinan 3-5 were added to the beginning curriculum of many schools. SOKEN Sensei, being away in Argentina during this period of time, did not learn these new kata! Soken was receptive to KISE's new additions, reformed in the Matsumura Seito-ha style. Kensho Gibo says: "Pondering SOKEN's inclusion of 2 Pinan Kata, Kise says, "Soken Sensei wondered why his Pinan Kata was only created to Nidan (second Degree), even though the other Matsumura styles created to Godan (fifth degree)". (pg 96)

A lot of neat photographs throughout...KISE Sensei (or more likely the translator) fails to correctly label the photo on pg. 69 of KISE's "first black belt student", who appears to be a young James COFFMAN. I enjoy the pair of photos opn page 93 comparing the Hakutsuru stance of SOKEN Sensei (top) with KISE Sensei (bottom). SOKEN Sensei's Right knee is obviously higher and a bit to the right, his fingers out straighter...KISE Sensei's knee is lower, the right angle slightly less, the hands curved down just a bit more, arms slightly more extended. Tiny differences, perhaps due to body type, individual practice, or preference. This shows how even mong orthodox practitioners there may be small variations which do not affect the usefullness of a technique.

A nice work to add to the library. Missing "Perfect" 5 Stars for me only because of the missed opportunity to offer the honest details of the Kise Sensei's own complete early training days, specifics of earlier teachers and styles. It would have been Awesome toread...what caused Kise Sensei to choose the path he did? Why did he retain and add to SOKEN Sensei's Matsumura Seito-ha the 6 Kata he did? Why the name change to Kenshinkan...and later attempt to reassume SOKEN Sensei's "Matsumura Seito-ha" school name? Why the later emphasis on sport Karate? Why only the focus on SOKEN Sensei in this book when others such as Nishiyama (6 kata) were clearly influential in KISE Sensei's development?

Excuse my curiosity. I suppose I am fed up with the image building so prevalent among so many Okinawa-ha schools today. Too often things seem set up for a familial $ucce$$ion, rather than the old days of simple effective techniques, hard work and honesty about how things came to be, brotherhood, colleaguiality among practitioners, etc. All in all, for anyone in the Seito-ha umbrella/wed heritage-wise, this is a decent offering.

Hopefully within a few years other SOKEN Sensei students will realize their importance and offer or publish works in their own way to help preserve the unique and diverse heritage of this special Okinawan martial path. I look forward too by a second volume from KISE Sensei (Kobudo, Please!) :)

This is a solid book that brings together the fragmented history of Shorin-Ryu Karate. This book has been long out of print, but hopefully it will in be print again soon. From what I hear, Kyoshi Hargrove is still in good standing with Nakazato. No one has ever questioned Kyoshi Hargrove's karate or his skill as a teacher. Kyoshi Hargrove's legacy is of countless blackbelts that teach an effective, true, form of Shorin-Ryu, to a new generation of students.

So Hargrove recently got out of jail for embezzlement. Wonder how he'll end up getting locked up the next time?

The truth is, this man was kicked out of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan association and is no longer affiliated with the grandmaster, Shugoro Nakazato. Hargrove and his "posse" take advantage of people by stealing their money and tainting their kids.

I'd read a book on Tae-Kwon-Do before I picked up this piece of garbage (that's saying something).

This book is very biased. Hargrove gives a bad name to martial arts practicioners all over the world. He was essentially "excommunicated" if you will from the association of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan by the Grandmaster himself, Shugoro Nakazato. Hargrove, however, still claims ties with him and continues to collect dues and monies from members of his new NASKA association, keeping the money for himself.

Don't waste your money on this.

I really enjoyed this book. In cross-referencing it with other resources (such as those by Mr. Mark Bishop and Mr. Patrick McCarthy to name just two) and the information within seems useful and accurate.
Very good read

At the time this book was written, Frank Hargrove may have been associated with Shorin Ryu Shorinkan under Shugoro Nakazato, but he was ultimately kicked out of the association and continues to claim to be associated. He has formed "NASKA," and tries to make it look like everyone else was kicked out, not him. He is a very strange man who let his belt color go to his head. Do yourself a favor and save your money for a real Karate master's book. What a disgrace to Shorin Ryu Shorinkan, which is an association about Humility, Respect, and Self-Improvement.