Shotokan Books

This is an excellent book for any student that is a serious Karateka. I have shown it to some student's & they are ordering the same book.
Good job Amazon.com for having these books available to us.

one word "WOW", I got this book as per my Sensei suggested. I really like it. Very well make with detail illustraions. My book is the 7th edition 2007. Highly recommanded for everyone.

The book shows step-by-step instructions on how to do the katas. If you've learned the katas before, you will love it. If you've never learned them before, you may find a little difficult to do the more advanced ones. A video will help you more in those cases because of the details that even well described are hard to do without watching someone doing it in front of you. I can't think of a better way to teach katas using a book, though and because of that, I think it's still worth buying the book and if you feel that you need, buy a video to help with the harder katas. Good luck!

If nothing else, the kata should be the common factor between schools of the same type. The 25 Shotokan Kata book by Shojiro Sugiyama serves as the guideline for Shotokan karate-ka. Nishiyama sensei gives approval to the forms and explains a few nuances that articulate his concepts of body mechanics. The book is a treasure.

This is an excellent resource to support lessons taught in class. The presentation of the kata in clear and easily understood drawings with supporting text is the best I have found in various books on kata from the Shotokan school. I recommend it to anyone looking for a text to support their study of kata or simply as an addition to your martial arts library.

i think its also so good book but i dont know how bought this book. its for your information i am a black belt of martialarts. i cose so diffrent style of martial arts its use only in tis time Pakisatn but future its must be te king style of the world.

NOTE: This review, along with the other reviews of the books devoted to katas in this series, are identical in nature as the subject matter for each book only differs in the actual kata or katas being demonstrated. The layout and format are identical and that is what these reviews are based upon.

This book, along with the rest of the books in the series, is an outstanding source of information on the correct execution of the Shotokan Karate katas in which this particular volume demonstrates. Now if you don't know anything about karate and purchase this book, it will do you about as much good as a screen door in a submarine. However, if you are already a practicing Shotokan Karate student, then this book is a must have for your continued advancement in the martial arts.

Every book in this series that deal with the various katas, utilizes the same format throughout each book in order to show you the correct execution of each kata demonstrated. Admittedly there aren't a whole lot of words describing the various moves in the katas, but there are an abundance of photographs taken from various angles that pretty much show you exactly how your body should be positioned not only for each individual move, but also how your body should be positioned as you move from one position to another.

At the end of each book is a special section devoted to particular points of interest in each kata that you should pay particular attention to. A nice addition to this already wonderful book.

If you are a student of Shotokan Karate, or a student of another style that utilizes the same katas, I would highly recommend that you purchase these books in order to advance your knowledge of whatever particular kata or katas that you are currently working on. You won't be disappointed!

Shawn Kovacich
Martial artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

i think its also so good book but i dont know how bought this book

I have been practicing Shotokan karate for 10 years now. Even though I attend regular classes and seminars, as well as working out with very qualified karate-ka, I still find myself coming back to Master Nakayma's work in this very fine series of books. Of all the books on kata I have these books are superior.

The instruction is straight forward and to the point. Tips are given to avoid common mistakes. Under the many pictures illustrating the kata is a stance diagram and short concise sentences to describe each move.

Extremely well done by one of the finest karate masters.

I bought three books out of the "Best Karate" series and the two books about katas are simply outstanding. I use another book which describes the movements in words but it's just too hard to figure it out for some of the tricky movements. The "Best Karate" series has photo series for all katas plus additional information about what people should take care of for the individual katas (for instance, stance changes for Heian Shodan). That way, it's really "easy" to learn a kata on your own, just from the book.

As a student and teacher of JKA-style Shotokan karate who had the opportunity to train in Japan in the early 70's, I was very much impressed with this book. The information is accurate, presented in an engaging manner,and is very readable. This isn't your typical instruction manual (though there is an instructional section). For beginnning students, or people just starting to look for a quality, credible school in which to train, there is very helpful advice, advice which, to the best of my knowledge is to be found in print nowhere else. This is a look at how training is done in Japan, but the information is truly international. What makes good training there really differs little from what makes quality training and instruction here in US, or anywhere else. Were I to find myself transplanted to Germany or Great Britain, this would still be very solid advice. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in training in any traditional Japanese or Okinawan school of karate. Many instructors would do well to read it, as well.

The book is written in a way that does explain the Japanese karate training experience very well. I've done it for 35+ years and his book sums up a lot of things that take a long time to figure out. I was trained by a former JKA kumite champion who came to the U.S. with little english and a goal of teaching karate as it was taught to him and figuring out what he wasn't taught. He is still a great teacher although he has not reached out for the commercial aspects of karate.
The book goes a long way in helping students understand the JKA and what is the essence of the karate training.
It will be interesting to see if the author can write another book in 10 more years about what else he has learned.

"Karate the Japanese Way" written by Mark Groenewold is truly a wonderful book. Groenewold Sensei has torn asunder concepts of what Western Karate practitioners conceive how Karate is done in Japan. Mark has given us, best described in his own words, an "unadulterated perspective of what karate is like in Japan, how the Japanese train, and what are the key elements of karate from a Japanese perspective." Not many of us "Dans" have ever trained in Japan, so we repeat what we have been taught by our American/Japanese Sensei's here in America. Not realizing that they may be modified due to the fact we are not a Japanese culture but Western (Question: is that the reason for repeating the Dojo Kun for adults???). So we repeat the customs of what were taught under the guise of "Well, that's how they do it in Japan." Guess what! We are very wrong on some of our concepts and that not how they do it!
Groenewold Sensei takes through a tour of Karate in Japan chapter by chapter. Answering many questions we might have about types of dojos, etiquette, types of instructors and so many other topics. By interweaving his own experiences through out the book makes the reading not only fun but very interesting. To be honest with you all, I am so glad my Shodan testing was nothing like Groenewold Sensei's. Please, do not misconstrue my previous statement. My exam was very demanding and grueling but it was not insane. What am I talking about.... well, buy this book and find out!
I recommend this book to one and all. No matter what your rank is, one will learn from it.

Frank Thomas
4th Dan
Muskegon Karate Association
Muskegon, Michigan

A great mix of technical and practical information, written in plain english, about doing in traditional Shotokan karate in Japan. This book gives the beginner a good introduction to the art and also can help someone with more experience better assess how close what they are currently doing is to authentic Shotokan as done in Japan.

Mark Groenewold's new book Karate the Japanese Way is definitely a "must have" for every karate student. Mark's conversational writing style makes this book very easy to read and enjoy. In contrast to so many other karate texts, Karate the Japanese Way gives the reader a sense of chatting with a friend, rather than being preached at by a self-proclaimed karate master. The book is very well illustrated and covers the entirety of Mark's training in Japan, from the day he met his teacher, Taniguchi-sensei, through warm-ups and stretching to what he calls the triad of karate... kihon, kata and kumite.

This book does not go into too many details with regards to the execution of karate techniques, nor does it profess to. This is not a "how to" manual of karate. Instead it shows those of us in the Western world how karate is really taught and learned in Japan.

I am not a "dan" level student in karate, nor do I even train in the same style of karate (Shotokan), as Groenewold-sensi, but I still think this book should be on the bookshelf of every karate student, regardless of rank or style.

Just to let people know, the last name is rIElly...
watch the author's name...thanks.

I have always advocated subtantial reading together with normal training and R. Rielly has done a pretty good job. His explanations are clear and to the point, supported by numerous photos for visualisation. However, these "words" only come alive if the reader has performed the moves physically. I would have preferred clearer photos with some zoom-ins to stress vital points. On the whole an excellent book for the intermediate to advanced karate student.

The author gives excellent background and history of this martial art form. Excellent descriptions and understand of forms through photos and detail descriptions of movements. Easy to read and put to practical use. Recommend this text for anyone who has an interest in the martial art discipline.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate by Robin L. Rielly Is a must have for those who want to get the most out Shotokan-ryu. Together with mister Rielly's Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, no more thorough grounding in Shotokan-ryu can be had. But if what you are looking for is a book for the beginner to learn the fundamentals I would suggest getting Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown's Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting, ISBN 0-8048-1668-9.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate details the methods for generating balance, stability, force, and speed. Explained are the principles of distancing, timing, hip and stance shifting, and strategy. Of special interest is the section on hip shifting for it is one of the more subtle connections Karate has with the Chinese arts of Taijiquan and Kung Fu. Separate chapters are devoted to Kumite and Kata. The chapter on Kumite includes helpful drills for mastering this aspect of the art. The chapter on Kata is especially enlightening in explaining what is meant by the "hidden meaning of Kata". Included in the Kata chapter is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Kanku Dai and its applications.

This book takes the Karate-ka from a mere practitioners of an exercise to the mastery of the techniques and principles required for the making of a martial artist.

"Beginner to Black belt" (up to 4th kyu anyway) by John was my first ever book on karate & when I look back now over the years and compare it with the "Hundreds" of other books I have about karate, martial arts & Shotokan in particular, I have to admit he was the leader in this type of book.

It's a pity he didn't manage to get around to finishing Volumes 2 & 3 of his Advanced Kata books, I can't remember the reason he gave me when I wrote to him as to why.

His senior student Sahota however has done a wonderful job in taking over where John left off in his two seminal works on the subject.

DON'T FORGET, John was the first to display the kata in such a way with such clarity through its pictures and description - EVER! The fact that it's still so popular on the high street shop bookshelves only goes to prove its success.

Even though it only goes up to 4th kyu, it's PACKED full of basic (Kihon) information & sparring (Kumite) that fills the void many other so-called karate books leave.

In the last sections you have suggested syllabuses', large self-defence techniques (for men & women), glossaries & terminology.

Despite its initial shortfall, it's still a MASSIVE & highly successful book written by a longstanding professional on the subject, who is still highly respected by all.

This is a high quality book with an excellent photographic layout clearly showing each move with intermediate shots and a short explanatory text. Includes photos of the application of some techniques. I've had my copy for almost ten years, and I still occasionally pull it out for a look over. If you're looking for a reference book for the basic Shotokan katas, I haven't seen one better than this.

In this book, Okazaki sensei explains the 5 points of the dojo kun and Funakoshi's 20 precepts in a clear, easy to read, and easy to understand manner - providing concrete examples of how to apply the principles in your training and every day life situations. Okazaki sensei always tells us that karate training is about self improvement and becoming a better person. In this book, he condenses his life experience and tells us how. Many of the ideas are about taking personal responsibility and being aware of how your actions affect others.

The jacket design is simple, yet elegant. Inside, the layout is simple and the font is easy to read. The dimension of the book is small and it is light so it is easy to carry around - it as if the author intends this book to be used as a handbook. Reading the intro section of the nijukun part of the book on page 33 confirms this - he wants us to reflect on the nijukun daily until we know and understand the principles. I think you could almost classify this book as a self help or self improvement manual.

This paragraph from the book's intro is one of my favorites: "As you read Perfection of Character, keep in mind that I am sharing my interpretation of Master Funakoshi's principles. In the course of studying them and practicing them, I am certain that you will also develop your own unique understanding of their meaning and value." Okazaki sensei doesn't expect us to take his interpretation as the only one. He wants each of us to reflect upon and integrate the priciples in our own unique way.

I rate this as one of the best martial arts books in my library.

There have been many excellent books written on the techniques of Karate by many instructors. However, there have been few books written on the philosophy of Karate, especially pertaining to the Dojo Kun (the 5 guiding principles of Shotokan Karate) and Niju Kun (the 20 subordinate principles of Shotokan Karate) that Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957, the founder of Shotokan Karate) wrote.

Master Teruyuki Okazaki, who was a direct student of Master Funakoshi and who is the Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation, presents this excellent book that he has written with great care and detail on the Dojo Kun and the Niju Kun. In it, he gives us his interpretation of them and ideas about incorporating them not only in Karate training, but also in daily life. One of the many great things about this book is that it is very "reader friendly". It is written in a way that both young students and older students can understand it and benefit from it. No matter whether one is contemplating starting Karate training, is a beginner in Karate training, has stopped Karate training (and is contemplating coming back to Karate training) or has been training in Karate for many years, Master Okazaki's book is certain to provide deeper thought and contemplation about the true meaning of Karate-Do, along with its values and benefits to one's life.

The book's artwork features a very distinct and unique cover jacket (designed by Hiroyoshi Okazaki) with the Japanese calligraphy for "Jinkaku kansei ni tsumoru koto" ("Seek perfection of character") as its center, with the Shotokan Tiger subtly embodied underneath it and blending in with the black cover. The inner cover sleeves have a recent color photo of Master Okazaki and also a color photo of Master Okazaki with his teachers Master Funakoshi and Master Masatoshi Nakayama taken sometime during the 1950`s. Each of the title pages of the chapters on each tenet of the Dojo Kun and Niju Kun is written in English with its Japanese translation using the alphabet, along with being written in the center of the pages in Japanese kanji and hiragana calligraphy by Master Nakayama, as is the Japanese calligraphy on the cover of the book. The Karate terms and Japanese terms in the book are italicized and are included in a glossary of terms in the back of the book. GMW Publishing has organized this work of art into a fine example of easy to read and easy to follow martial arts literature.

While this is a book to be read for the pure sake of reading, it is also a reference book and a book to be contemplated and studied. For these reasons, Master Okazaki also gives his own methodology or "recipe" for understanding and incorporating the Dojo Kun and Niju Kun into our training and into our daily lives by using this book.

Master Okazaki emphasizes that he wants to bring the Dojo Kun and Niju Kun back into the mindset of Karate students and martial artists throughout the world. By writing this outstanding and excellent book, he is certainly doing exactly that. In this book he also speaks highly of his teacher Master Funakoshi and the example set by him, along with the ideals that he learned from him. In keeping the Dojo Kun and Niju Kun emphasized to Karate students through this book and through his teachings, Master Okazaki has clearly carried on Master Funakoshi's example. No doubt, Master Funakoshi would be very proud of his student!

Congratulations to Master Okazaki on this excellent book!

A must read for all Karate-ka and martial artists!

When I projected to buy this book, I did not know how lessons would help me in my karate practice. Now I make all the day lessons of this book on the morning at 6 o'clock and this is fun because it represents for me the intelligence of Kanazawa kancho. For me he is the greatest master around the world in karate. Thank you Hirokazu and thanks to Paul A. Walker for this book.

Sergio

There are some books which can be informative, and those which are inspirational. This book is all that and more. It's useful. It's probably the best resource for a karate instructor for planing a coherente training schedule, and a teaching strategy.

It's clear, based on sound experience -the author learned with the best of the best, at the SKIF Hombu Dojo- and based on clear concepts.

Truth to be said, I am not a karate instructor. However, I believe that if you plan to become one yourself, this book will certainly help.

I firmly belive this book to be a valuable resource for spreding karate and its benefits -which go beyond self defense- throughout the world.

This is quite a hard book to get a hold of but I'm so glad that I persisted in my search; I hope you have better luck. It's quite a hefty tome & packed full of useful information & pictures including the Japanese kanji. I haven't seen anything like this one & it's quite unique & would end up being a well used copy in anyone's library

However.....if you're unable to find a copy of this book, have a look at the "Shotokan Pocket Book" by Ken Lyons ISBN: 1412093422. This book appears to contain as much information and I think could equally match the one above, it's packed full of information that the serious instructor would need for his lessons.

Book Synopsis;-
A complete compendium of all terms we use in karate and here specialized in Shotokan. Written in a unique form with their Japanese Characters (Kanji), Pronunciation and English translations.

The Dictionary contains the numerical system, different Levels and Directions, Elements of the Kata Training, Basic and Advanced Kata, Instructions during training, Movements, Stances, Postures, Dojo Rules, Parts of the Human Body and all Techniques in an illustrated form.

Furthermore, it enters the Philosophical background of Shotokan Karate, Karate-Do, the Twenty Precepts of Funakoshi. The final chapters are Karate Philosophies and some annotations of famous Zen Masters.

The 2001 edition has 240 pages. See pictures above for the table of contents.

Try the Amazon.co.uk site - there are copies there!

This book is the most concise collection of Shotokan techniques that I have seen. Also the written explanations and illustrations of the blocks and strikes are so easy to understand. The addition of the kanji is a nice touch. This book would be great for any karateka studying the Shotokan style. Also, the quality of the book itself is great. Overall this is a very good book to add to your collection.

In the world of martial arts, there is one name that crosses the boundaries of styles, countries, and organizations - Keinosuke Enoeda.
Keinosuke Enoeda Tiger of Shotokan Karate is a full pictorial and biographical account of the life and times of karate legend Master Keinosuke Enoeda, 9th Dan, of the Japan Karate Association (JKA).

Includes contributions from some of the world's top instructors (including Stan Schmidt and Yoshinobu Ohta) as well as hundreds of fantastic pictures never seen before.

Enoeda was respected not just by followers and supporters of Shotokan Karate, but by all the other leaders of various martial arts throughout the world. Even the great Sumo team from Japan, upon visiting London, sought out the dojo of Master Enoeda for a visit.

Written by Rod Butler, a 30-year student of Enoeda and one of his deputy instructors in London. This book is a loving tribute to a sadly-departed Shotokan karate master.

A good Shotokan beginner's book with LOTS of clear colour pictures showing the first six kata's in the Shotokan canon up to Heian Godan.

A good compliment & natural progression from Ashley's first two titles -"Shotokan" & "Secret Karate". There are some very small mistakes in techniques though (eg. Yondan).

It begins with a good general history of karate & its development, with details of its key founders & ancient masters. Vital pressure points covered (again). As for the bunkai (application of kata moves) there are some strange & sometimes awkward moves. Some are new, some are advanced but many don't accurately follow the moves of the kata (ie. Oyo Bunkai).

However they do give a good interpretation of how throws can be incorporated. A good book overall & worth reading, as there are very few good books covering this subject.

Despite the style & interpretations used, it's still one of the BEST books on Bunkai I've seen for a very long time.