Book Description
Learn how the hard-style karate that became shotokan took shape in 19th century Okinawa as an embattled king with an unarmed force of bodyguards faced an armed invasion from overseas. In this new 328-page book, author Bruce D. Clayton, Ph.D., uses rare sketches, footnoted historical research, archival lithographs, period photographs and contemporary technique demonstrations to reveal shotokan's deadly intent and propose modern practical applications of such knowledge. Achieve a new level of theoretical understanding and fighting ability by learning Shotokan's Secret for yourself!
Customer Reviews:
Poorly researchered amateur effort.......2007-08-10
This author of this book admittedly rented or bought a number of videos on Okinawa karate, supposedly watched the videos and then wrote a book based on his limited experience in Shotokan ryu, a Japanese off-shoot of the original Okinawan arts. The author make some fairly outrageous claims that he attempts to pass off as historically correct without one shred of primary research or evidence. It is outrageous that a publishing house would even bother putting this diatribe in print.
Readers interested in Shotokan should immerse themselves in Harry Cook's book, The History of Shotokan. For more information on what Shotokan is missing as a martial art, I highly suggest the Gennosuke Higaki book: Hidden Karate, the true bunkai for the Heian Katas and Naihanchi.
The Best Book on the roots & history Shotokan Karate & More!.......2007-07-22
The Best Book on the Origins & History Shotokan Karate & More!
A radical book yes, but it's not controversial OR contradictory at all IMHO. Easy to read & packed full of information about the true origins & history of Shotokan & budo, not just the normal couple of paragraphs that you get in most books on the subject.
I agree wholeheartedly with all the other "POSITIVE" reviews written here below, as for the negative one about "serious injury", the only serious injury to anyone following the many applications (bunkai) described in here would be to the opponent - and you don't have to change the moves in the kata to fit the bunkai (Oyo Bunkai). See Injury-free Karate by Paul Perry.
If you're a serious student of Shotokan Karate (or any of its derivatives or styles) then you ought to read this one FIRST, it'll save you a lot of money. It really is a breath of fresh air compared to the myriad of humdrum copycat books on karate.
If you're looking for a broader & deeper history of karate (& Martial Arts) in general then also look at "Okinawan Karate" by Mark Bishop.
Shotokan Secrets.......2007-04-02
Probably the best book I've read as far as the true history of not only of the Shotokan style but karate itself. Very detail in the history and the applications of the Shotokan style. I highly recomend this book to karate practioners.
A Great Read.......2007-04-02
A good insight with some interesting ideas on how this great art came about. It goes hand in hand with what I have been teaching for years, when others come up with siliar concepts it validates what you have been doing all your life.
A Complete Farce!.......2007-03-19
Having trained on Okinawa several times throughout the last thirty years I am confident that this book was written without a single visit to the island. Grossly inaccurate, racist, and recklessly missing easily researched information, I can't believe anyone with any experience on the island would find value in this book. The failure to even mention the martial art of the royal family (Udun ti- palace hand) is mind blowing since the royal art is strictly a soft art and this book is trying to justify the development of hard styles. All the author would have to do is walk into a Undun ti dojo and he would have been given all the documentation he needed. Of course, he wouldn't have been able to write this book after that since his theories would have been blown out the window.
This is a fairy tale, new "legends" that some will cling to and pass off as history.
Book Description
|Hagakure ("In the Shadow of Leaves"') is a manual for the samurai classes consisting of a series of short anecdotes and reflections that give both insight and instruction-in the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the true spirit of Bushido-the Way of the Warrior. It is not a book of
philosophy as most would understand the word: it is a collection of thoughts and sayings recorded over a period of seven years, and as such covers a wide variety of subjects, often in no particular sequence.
The work represents an attitude far removed from our modern pragmatism and materialism, and posesses an intuitive rather than rational appeal in its assertion that Bushido is a Way of Dying, and that only a samurai retainer prepared and willing to die at any moment can be totally true to his lord.
While Hagakure was for many years a secret text known only to the warrior vassals of the Hizen fief to which the author belonged, it later came to be recognized as a classic exposition of samurai thought and came to influence many subsequent generations, including Yukio Mishima.
This translation offers 300 selections that constitute the core texts of the 1,300 present in the original.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Book!.......2007-09-30
I loved it. It's an enjoyable read, full of great stories and full of insights. When I first read this book back in 1998, it had a tremendous impact on my life. It allowed me to view things from a different perspective. I will continue to recommend it to everyone. I also highly recommend the modern day version Understanding: Train of Thought.
A classic!.......2007-09-26
This is one of the best historical texts available on the subject of Japanese warrior philosophy. While many of its practices seem alien to the 21st century reader, there is still much wisdom to be found here. I have read this book many times over the years. I will very likely continue to read it again and again.Bushido: A Modern Adaptation of the Ancient Code of the SamuraiMeditations (Penguin Classics)
Easy to Read - Difficult to Apply.......2007-07-19
Hagakure: The Book of the Samauri is a superb little book that makes some important points. However, it is all too easy to take what it has to say out of context. The time and place to which it was literally relevant has long since passed. What it has to say about the values one should live by and how one should carry out their mission in life are, on the other hand, timeless.
The same can be said of another important Japanese classic: The Book of Five Rings. Both of these books are important from a philosophical point of view, but difficult to really understand for those who are not immersed in Japanese culture. Both spring from the philosophy of Zen and both do a good job of showing its application is a time of constant warfare and personal danger.
A good choice to put the advice of the Zen warriors into perspective is the book Bushido, the Soul of Japan which gives a broader look at the philosophy and its roots. What Zen is all about and how it may be applied in everyday life - how compatible it is with other philosophies and religions - is well presented.
All three of these books have been bound together into one book: The Samurai Series: The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure -The Way of the Samurai & Bushido - The Soul of Japan, which I can recommend without reservation. Together, these three books add up to much more than the sum of the parts. They are truly synergistic.
What many overlook.......2007-06-07
Though I am here to review this book I must comment on previous editorials and reviews posted. As you may have just read, this book is about the mindset of the Samurai. And really, it isn't about the samurai as in a sense of all samurais lumped together as one group, or even a type of samurai, as it is more about just one samurai, the author. However, many of the reviewers here fail to make the connection with this book to today's trials and tribulations.
Much of what Hagakures writes is outdated - instructions and etiquette on murder, suicide, treatment of women, etc. However, there is much of this book that is applicable to today. Look through the absurd passages into the lesson behind the text. Portions of this book that discuss fighting enemies, too, are outdated. But one must make the connection of terms like `enemy' with struggle or test; etiquette on waking up from a nap doesn't necessarily refer to literally waking from slumber. There is so much in this book that many will never see if they read it without pondering its teachings. The references to specific situations may seem obsolete, but one must look deeper.
The Bible passage of not putting a stumbling block before a blind man does directly mean just that. However, a blind man does not necessarily refer to a man without his eyesight. And a stumbling block may not be a physical object. If one can truly read this book without paying so much attention to the writer, and more to translating the deeper meaning between each passage, then this book will change your life. Passages of awaking from sleep, the spirit of an age, tackling obstacles without complexity, form and emptiness, and (my absolute favorite) the lesson of a rainstorm, will undoubtedly bestow a new level of understanding life to any deep reader.
I recommend this book for all of the reasons others have previously listed; but I also recommend this book for so many more.
Hagakure.......2007-03-29
This book is a wonderful look into the hearts and minds of the Samauri. Anybody intrested in trying to comprehend the Samauri mindset should start here. The book gives you a clear point of view on basic life, from doing good versus bad, to manners, to raising children, and everything inbetween all from the ancient Samauri ways of life. The world today would be a much better place if more people were to live their lives in this manner.
Book Description
Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by
people in all walks of life centuries after his death.
Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was
addressed to the readers of earlier times on the battlefield, and now serves the modern reader in the battle of life.
In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the seventeenth-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's
rarely published The Way of Walking Alone. This gift-book edition also features original art by Musashi himself as well as new calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.
Customer Reviews:
A Classic of World Literature.......2007-10-05
It is astonishing to see some of the inane things said in negative reviews. A good part of the beauty and power of this book is that the student must determine for himself or herself the applicability of the information to any given situation. One of Miyamoto Musashi's main points is that there are not absolute formulas for success. Those looking for templates must look elsewhere. This is a book of how to see and approach action by one who ranks as one of the great warriors of any history.
Beyond this, though I am no Japanese scholar, my Japanese speaking friends say that Wilson's translation is truest to the original while being quite readable in English. It is a beautifully printed little book, and for me treasure to be cherished and studied again and again.
The student should investigate this thoroughly. :)
Loose but effective translation.......2007-09-10
I bought this book for my boss. Thomas Cleary's adaptation is much more accurate, but it's a dry read. Wilson opts for effectiveness rather than accuracy in some places, but it's a great option for those who don't have the attention span to really push through denser text.
Fantastic but careful about translation.......2007-08-23
this book is a must have to those who like japanese culture, specially samurai culture.
But, to those who want to go deeper, the translation from japanese to english has some flaws.
Easy to Read - Difficult to Apply.......2007-07-19
The Book of Five Rings is a superb little book that makes some important points. However, it is all too easy to take what it has to say out of context. The time and place to which it was literally relevant has long since passed. What it has to say about the values one should live by and how one should carry out their mission in life are, on the other hand, timeless.
The same can be said of another important Japanese classic: Hagakure: The Book of the Samauri. Both of these books are important from a philosophical point of view, but difficult to really understand for those who are not immersed in Japanese culture. Both spring from the philosophy of Zen and both do a good job of showing its application is a time of constant warfare and personal danger.
A good choice to put the advice of the Zen warriors into perspective is the book Bushido, the Soul of Japan which gives a broader look at the philosophy and its roots. What Zen is all about and how it may be applied in everyday life - how compatible it is with other philosophies and religions - is well presented.
All three of these books have been bound together into one book: The Samurai Series: The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure -The Way of the Samurai & Bushido - The Soul of Japan, which I can recommend without reservation. Together, these three books add up to much more than the sum of the parts. They are truly synergistic.
This guy knows Japanese.......2006-03-16
I've read several versions of this book and William Scott Wilson seems to have the best understanding of the Japanese language and desire to keep it as "word for word" as he can keep it without making the text obscure. I highly recommend this translation. Oh yeah, and this book is highly valuable for philosophers and martial artists alike. Musashi was a genius of both martial arts and life.
Book Description
So succinct are the author's insights that these writings have outlasted the dissolution of the samurai class to come down to the present and be read for guidance and inspiration by the captains of business and industry, as well as those devoted to the practice of the martial arts in their
modern form.
Customer Reviews:
A spiritual book for the swordsman........2007-10-10
I would suggest this book for Kendo and Kenjutsu practitioners for spiritual reasons.
Soho was the spiritual teacher of a famous Swordsman Yagyu Munenori. In Yagyu¡¦s books his strong Zen background is evident. Soho was not an excellent swordsman himself. However he pioneered the spiritual aspects of chopping someone¡¦s head off. He was more of a cook than swordsman. As is evident by his now famous pickle.
So buy a jar of Soho pickles to munch on before reading this book. º
I like Takuan's Zen..........2005-11-04
...I'd like to meet him. But not in a duel. The title of the book is appropriate. Do not park your mind. Zen is a no-parking zone. It is alright to park your tail on a cushion, though. To understand this book, you need to be a bit of a martial artist, and a bit of a zennist to begin with. Not for beginners, or for those who like their gruel thin.
the unfettered pickle.......2005-10-30
i know this is completely unhelpful and i'm going to be berated for this review, but i think it's funny. in japan there's a kind of pickle named after takuan.
also (on the horrific side of things), the idea of combining buddhism and warrior values is kind of scary to me. really what it leads to is "mindless" killing. ideas along this vein were used during WWII to encourage just that.
hate me if you want.
Neither zen nor sword.......2003-05-11
I got interested in the book because of its references to swordsmanship and Buddhism, two seemingly incompatible subjects. I knew for a fact that the Japanese used Buddhism as a vehicle for training the warrior class, and learning that the book consisted of letters from a Zen monk to a swordsman, expected the book to contain reasons why Buddhism and swordsmanship were compatible.
I found no satisfactory answers. Instead (within the first and second letters) was Soho's (the Zen monk) teaching to swordsmen to fulfill the master/servant contract. "...Therefore it is better not to inquire who this lord or that might be, but to simply think 'the lord,' and consider right-mindedness towards him without mentioning his name." I found Soho's such Confucianism-oriented(!) teachings puzzling.
For those of you whom are approaching this from the spiritual (Buddhism) side like myself, there are parts of the book that touches the five skandhas (things of temporal existence), how consciousness arises, and the importance of not fixating one's mind in any one thing (this became the Sino-Japanese title of the book), but there are much elaborate and better Buddhism references available. For those of you want to approaching from the business side, I suppose you may gain some insight about the Japanese way of viewing the world, but there are too few maxims in this book that you could ponder over. This is no Sun Tzu.
There might be misunderstandings on my part, but to me the importance of the book seems historical.
A Great Translation.......2001-09-08
This book contains a collection of three letters/essays from Takuan Soho to masters of the sword arts. They contain some incredible gems. This book should not just be read; but reflected upon.As another reviwer said, "The ideas of the interval between striking flint and steel to the production of the spark, or the visual and mental image of the glint of light on the blade of a sword become captivating and even revelatory." I could not have said it any better myself. This is a must read book.
Average customer rating:
- A Great Book!
- Easy to Read - Difficult to Apply
- VERY great book, however...
- A Life Metaphor
- This is how you conquer your enemies and the world
|
The Book of Five Rings
Miyamoto Musashi
Manufacturer: Shambhala
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Similar Items:
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The Art of War (Shambhala Classics)
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The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
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Bushido: The Way of the Samurai (Square One Classics)
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Hagakure: The Book of the Samauri
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The Art of War
ASIN: 1590302486
Release Date: 2005-01-11 |
Book Description
The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Book!.......2007-09-30
I loved it. I'm reading it through for the second time and highlighting the passages that inspire me. I highly recommend this book and the modern day version Understanding: Train of Thought to everyone.
Easy to Read - Difficult to Apply.......2007-07-19
The Book of Five Rings is a superb little book that makes some important points. However, it is all too easy to take what it has to say out of context. The time and place to which it was literally relevant has long since passed. What it has to say about the values one should live by and how one should carry out their mission in life are, on the other hand, timeless.
The same can be said of another important Japanese classic: Hagakure: The Book of the Samauri. Both of these books are important from a philosophical point of view, but difficult to really understand for those who are not immersed in Japanese culture. Both spring from the philosophy of Zen and both do a good job of showing its application is a time of constant warfare and personal danger.
A good choice to put the advice of the Zen warriors into perspective is the book Bushido, the Soul of Japan which gives a broader look at the philosophy and its roots. What Zen is all about and how it may be applied in everyday life - how compatible it is with other philosophies and religions - is well presented.
All three of these books have been bound together into one book: The Samurai Series: The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure -The Way of the Samurai & Bushido - The Soul of Japan, which I can recommend without reservation. Together, these three books add up to much more than the sum of the parts. They are truly synergistic.
VERY great book, however..........2007-06-27
I'm not sure I like the translator for it because being someone who loves and studies Japanese history and Kendo, I can't get over the fact he makes references to modern sports like football or basketball, to make a point. If it were written in a time when these sports existed, then it would be fine, however this is not the case. Overall I like the book. I think the translator isn't all bad and I like the way he explains things, other than what I mentioned. I recommend this book for anyone studying martial arts, bussiness, history, or just want a good read.
A Life Metaphor.......2007-04-10
This advice from a 17th century samurai will teach you self-discipline and strategy for life. Learn how to navigate any conflict life hands you.
This is how you conquer your enemies and the world.......2007-01-12
Musashi and Yagyu have presented here the techniques and philosophies on the winning and losing a conflict. Although the writings of Musashi are geared to the aspect of swordmanship and warfare and Yagyu to politics and psychology, their writings are applicable to any aspect of competition and conflict in life: whether it be buisness negotiations, political diplomacy, arguments with loved ones, a life and death street fight, or leading a legion of soldiers in the battlefield.
The writings are rough and brief but direct and requires a great deal of retrospect. Especially Musashi, his vernacular is that of a modern day football player or military drill instructor. His thoughts are not conveyed elaborately. But there is power and truth in his words.
If you've read the writings of Sun Tzu then the 5 rings (scrolls) is a must for fans of strategy and conquest.
Book Description
The Code of the Samurai is a four-hundred-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido, the Japanese way of the warrior. Bushido has played a major role in shaping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in shaping the modern martial arts within Japan and internationally. The Japanese original of this book has been one of the primary sources on the tenets of Bushido, a way of thought that remains fascinating to modern world, East and West
Customer Reviews:
Timeless.......2007-04-12
Take a peek into Japanese culture, and be amazed how this ancient text still applies to life today. You'll also learn a great deal about medieval Japan.
An ancient book but still applicable to modern life.......2007-03-15
Code of the Samurai is a nice peek into Japanese culture, in under a hundred pages. It's amazing to see how such an ancient book can still be of use today, and how some things we consider 'common courtesy' have fundamental roots, and an actual reason.
Good.......2006-03-23
The author does a good job translating the text into modern day principles. Definitely a good read for those interested in Bushido and it's ideas.
Interesting.......2005-07-06
I found this book educational, comical, and well worth reading. In less than a hundred pages it taught me a lot about medieval Japan. What I enjoyed more is the way its original author's voice comes shining through in the text. His condescension, his bluntness, his matter-of-fact all make for a hilarious introduction to the mind of the samurai. Some of the statements that come out of Shigesuke's mouth are a world apart from what we hear in textbooks today. He has no problem telling the student that he is a "lazy" "moron" "coward" unless he is exactly what a warrior should be. But beneath all this there is wisdom here. A very interesting book.
informative and delightful.......2005-05-13
Wonderful read, and unlike such weightier classics as THE ART OF WAR or THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS, this one is readily accessible to the western mind.
After reading it twice, I came to think that everything after the first chapter -- nay, after the first two paragraphs -- was mere repetition. This is because all the behaviors and philosophies the author recommends would be the natural consequence if one truly were to "keep death in mind at every possible moment."
The book is a series of short chapters like "Loyalty," "Finances," "Personal Appearance;" each describing the ideal behavior of an ideal samurai with respect to each.
I can't comment on the organization or skill of Cleary's translation, though, since I know of no other version of this book. However I am inclined to think it is adept, since the nature of the work suggests the original Japanese would be extremely stiff. This is not the case with the English.
Gripes:
1. Note that this is a thin book; you can read it in about an hour. I was expecting something much thicker, at least the size of THE UNFETTERED MIND, say.
2. Oscar Ratti's illustrations will be disappointing to those familiar with his work in SECRETS OF THE SAMURAI and AIKIDO: THE DYNAMIC SPHERE. There are only a handful of them, and that handful isn't very interesting.
3. The binding of this book came apart rather quickly, after just the first read. Perhaps just my copy, though.
4. Sadly, the introduction by Cleary is completely forgettable.
Book Description
An anthology of 12 samurai manuscripts showing the meaning and guiding principles of samurai life.
Customer Reviews:
Twelve Unique Old Translated Writings on Bushido.......2003-03-03
Translator William Scott Wilson offers us something unique with this book, first published in 1982 by Ohara. I can't recall any other source which includes this many specific writings on bushido (the warrior-gentleman's path)--there are 12 documents in this book, all written by different members of the warrior classes, dating from the 13th century (Hojo Shigetoki's "Message of Master Gokurakuji") to the 17th century (Kuroda Nagamasa's "Notes on Regulations").
These writings aren't what many of us 21st century martial artists have been conditioned to expect. I found more homespun advice and common sense relative to the era these men lived in than the stereotypical talk of honor and giri (duty). Much of this advice is still sound today. An example taken from the 700+ year old "Message of Master Gokurakuji" by Hojo Shigatoki:
"One should not talk about the faults of others, even as a joke. For even though one may think of it as a joke, to others it may be embarrassing, and this is a bad mistake. If one would joke, he should joke about things that are pleasurable to others. One should have restraint and deep sympathy in all things" (page 42-43)
Throughout the course of Wilson's translation, it is clear to see that the Samurai (serving warriors) were a people to whom consideration of others, polite manners and conduct were important. This volume offers a nice change from the linear austerity of the "Hagakure", which for many years along with Musashi's "Book of Five Spheres" has been one of the only widely available books which set the tone for how we modern day folks think of Samurai. In "Ideals of the Samurai", not only are many of the writings centuries apart, but they are from different families and different geographical areas of Japan. If you're curious about how the "old heads" ~really~ lived and what they thought about, this work is a must.
Read the translations and make your own interpretations.......2002-02-17
Unlike the many books on bushido I have bought, this is a collection of short writings translated with no interpretation, other than an introduction. There are no great descriptions of great battles fought. The passages tend toward the more mundane business of being a feudal lord. Several are 'last statements' which gives you insight as to what the Samurai really wanted to be remembered for. And you will remember the quotable word bites. There are several B&W reproductions of paintings of the authors.
A living Samurai spirit.......2000-04-04
This wonderful book is a prove that spirit has its reserved place on world history and in the mind of whose want to live a honrable live code. Not a mere historical report but a sensive demonstration of respect by a life-style
Book Description
To become an expert swordsman, one must pay close attention to detail, be highly self-critical, and practice diligently every day under the guidance of a good teacher. Unfortunately, contact time with a worthy mentor is limited for most. Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship fills this obvious gap in the training of the modern swordsman by providing bokuto (wooden sword) drills to supplement the formal class activity of forms practice. Both single and two-person drills are presented, some common to iaido and kenjutsu, others extracted from iaido forms by the author and used to teach his own students the proper ways of drawing, parrying, and cutting. Each drill is illustrated with step-by-step drawings to help students hone their techniques; together they provide a comprehensive system of general skills development for anyone interested in using the Japanese sword.
Customer Reviews:
Extremely Useful Guide.......2007-08-20
I have found this book to be a very useful tool in developing training drills and improving our basic techniques. The diagrams are easy to follow and textual information clear. Well worth having in the library.
Horrible.......2007-08-02
Rather pointless book. The images provided are utterly useless, being a few cm in size, badly drawn and providing no information whatsoever. I utterly regret buying this book. For kendo kata in particular I would recommend 'Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata'.
Brilliant.......2007-07-28
This book really helped my groundwork (seated and kneeling kata.) I really recommend this book for anyone who has just started any form of Iai or Ken. It really focuses on the details and core fundamentals of footwork, moving while kneeling and seated, and cutting with your entire body. It is as it's title suggests: a primer on practice drills. It answers all those questions you cant get answered in an hour and a half class. It is really aimed at the novice or someone who has been away from their art for a while. Either way, it is a good buy.
Only book of it's kind.......2007-07-26
I love the way this book was written. The descriptions of the moves reflect mastery of the author. I appreciated the easy to follow diagrams and the instructions on how to read them. This is a definite buy for anyone interested in Iaido.
Drillion Dollar Book.......2007-03-11
For Basics on the Martial arts this book is worth every penny!
Average customer rating:
- Best series of books on kata.
- masters
- masters
- Excellent to learn Katas
- Shotokan Katas from beginner to Brown Belt
|
Best Karate, Vol.5: Heian, Tekki (Best Karate, 5)
Masatoshi Nakayama
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Karate
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Best Karate, Vol.7: Jutte, Hangetsu, Empi (Best Karate, 7)
ASIN: 0870113798 |
Book Description
Kata, the formal exercises of karate training, were the essence of practice in Okinawa and China, and are the core training method even today.
Detailed here in 1500 sequential photos are the five Heian and three Tekki kata, mastery of which is necessary to attain first dan.
Demonstrated by the author and Yoshiharu Osaka.
Customer Reviews:
Best series of books on kata........2004-04-25
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.
masters.......2001-10-22
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.
masters.......2001-10-22
i think its also so good book but i dont know how bought this book
Excellent to learn Katas.......2001-07-12
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.
Shotokan Katas from beginner to Brown Belt.......2001-03-31
Excellent book. Those that do not have an instructor close by can learn the details of the katas from this book.
Book Description
Dave Lowry frequently travels throughout Asia to research its culture and history, and has written several books about Japan and the budo. He started writing for Black Belt magazine more than 20 years ago and has shared his traditional take on the martial arts world in a monthly column called Karate Way since 1986.
In Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword, Lowry focuses his expertise on the techniques and history of the bokken--the wooden training sword used by both ancient samurai and today's swordsmen. According to Lowry, training with the bokken is important on two levels for the modern practitioner: "On one, he builds the physical stamina, rhythms, and adroit body movements of traditional swordsmanship. On the other, he achieves something of the animating spirit of the traditional swordsman. He is, through the refinement of his practice, linked in a very real way to his past, for it is from the principles of swordsmanship that the budo of today have based their teachings, no matter what their present form."
Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword couples Lowry's concise, eloquent writing style with more than 100 hundred technique photographs to provide the reader with the traditional and modern perspectives of this vital, historically rich practice tool.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book..........2007-02-01
Famed swordsman and Black Belt magazine contributor Dave Lowry chimes in on the use of the bokken--the wooden samurai sword. Practicing with the bokken is obviously safer than practicing with a "live" katana, but it also develops stamina, technique, and an appreciation of the weapon's history. Ancient samurai warriors used the bokken (remember Tom Cruise's repeated beatings in The Last Samurai?), and so should you. Lowry also wrote The Best of Dave Lowry, which is an excellent compilation of his Black Belt articles.
A good book for fundamentals-and attitude........2006-05-11
I was prepared to be disappointed-but was pleasantly surprised. I have studied the sword for years, and yet learned something from this book. For a beginner, too, its clear, concise explanations, coupled with well thought out photographs, will prove an excellent study guide or workbook. There are minor deficiencies, occasionally, but they will provide the student an incentive to put down the book and physically explore what Lowry is trying to demonstrate.
There are few like Musashi, who need little personal instruction. This book is not a substitute for a good teacher, but an excellent adjunct to one. The Way is not a set of rules. It is only the Way.
Alright book for starters.......2005-07-25
The book starts with the history behind the bokken which I found interesting. It has nice pictures and explanations of the different types of stances and attacks. Even though the pictures are black and white, they still help quite a bit. I was some what dissapointed when it came to the chapter on practicing with a partner. I was expecting ways to block but instead I found ways to attack faster (strike first) against an opponent doing another attack. The images in that chapter seemed too far time lapsed to know exactly what he is doing. I also would have liked it more if there were phonetic spellings of each of the japanese names. I do not speak japanese and therefore I'm probably saying most of the names wrong. I'd recommend this book if you want to start suburi by yourself. Otherwise, find another book.
EXCELLENT BASICS FOR THE NEWLY INITIATED.......2004-06-28
BY THE TIME I READ LOWRY'S BOOK, I WAS A YEAR INTO MUSO SHINDEN RYU IAIDO, AND I FOUND SOME MINOR DESCREPANCIES IN THE HANDLING OF THE BOKUDO AND THE KATANA. MOST OF THE STANCES AND POSITIONS OR KAMAE VARY ONLY EVER SO SLIGHTLY. I FOUND "BOKKEN" TO BE VERY HELPFUL IN SOME AREAS AS IT IS FULL OF PHOTOGRAPHS SO THERE IS NO MISTAKING WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE THE BOKKEN AND MOVE ABOUT.
IT'S AN A+ BOOK FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER!
A good introduction..........2000-05-29
As an Aikido student I was looking for a reference guide for katas and exercises so that I could practise outside the dojo. This book does not provide complex single katas ( it only has two very basic ones )so I was disappointed in that respect, however I did find the various introductory articles very educational and certianly relevant to any martial art whether you are trainig with a sword, a staff, or are doing empty handed techniques. My advice is: buy the book ad keep in mind Mr. Lowry's advice at all times but don't expect a visual feast of amazing pictures ( they are just plain black and white ). If you take this book as an introduction you will like it and hopefully it will push you to train harder and find out more about Japanese swordsmanship.
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