Kodansha International (JPN)

Karate-Do Kyohan- The Master Text

5 stars (Just amazing!) - It contains all the most widespread Katas found in Shotokai - Shotokan schools. The images are great as well as the diagrams that show how the Katas should be executed. Shotokai students should be aware that all we have in here belongs to the time prior to Master Egami's evolution which was fully authorized by Master Funakoshi. So special care should be devoted in this regard since the postures were rather tall at that time. There are some changes highlighted by the translator as to the new instances already in use at that particular time but do not cover all the changes found in the Shotokai school. On the other hand it is the cornerstone of all Karat?? as conceived by the Master of Masters: Karat?? as a "Way" of perfectioning one's character. It's the legacy given by the Master as Karat?? should be trained and transmited until the end of times. So it is a book to be constantly studied even by the nowadays Masters and see how the "Way" is been fulfilled. The bottonline? It is the Master Text! Don't miss this one! 5 stars (Best karate book ever) - This is the seminal book on traditional Okinawan karate. It is vey well-written and the pictures are plentiful and first-class quality. Funakoshi is the father of modern karate but never strayed from the belief that this is a way of life and a combination of the physical and spiritual. Funakoshi has no time for "point-fighting" and superflous moves. His martials arts comes from the tradition of hard training where you only fought if you had no choice and then you fought to the end. Case-in-point, the diagram at the end of the book emphasizes strike points that can disable or kill an opponent. This is not for your average "rent-a-dojo" or "kid's karate" system. Bottom-line: this is THE book for those interested in the real thing. 5 stars (This is The Book) - With so many Karate and Martial Arts books out there, it has become more difficult to separate true value from the rest. This is one of ...
Kodansha International (JPN) :: Sports & Recreation :: Martial Arts - Karate :: Karate :: Gichin Funakoshi :: :: Karate-Do Kyohan- The Master Text

Best Aikido- The Fundamentals Illustrated Japanese Classics

5 stars (Easy to understand) - I have read several aikido books that demonstrate visually, proper aikido techniques. This is the first book I have read that was easy to follow, easy to understand and easy to remember. Although it was easy in all these areas, it wasn't at all lacking. The information in this book is "must have" for any beginning aikido practitioner. 5 stars (Best Book on the Basics of Aikido) - I have 4 other titles on Aikido and have browsed through quite a few others. I must say this is by far the best on the basics of Aikido. The pictures are reasonably clear and the descriptions are reasonably detailed. However, I would have liked all the techniques executed (and pictures taken) without the hakama on so that the readers can have a good look at the footwork as well. 4 stars (The Fundamentals, from the second Doshu) - _Best Aikido_ is a fine translation of the original Japanese textbook by the noted scholar of Buddhism and aikido, Dr John Stevens. _Best Aikido_ could probably be considered one of the essential cornerstones of an aikido practitioners library. It contains waza patterns for all of the fundamentals of aikido techniques: the major pins (including gokyo) and throwing techniques (excluding koshi-nage) from basic attacks. Helpfully, omotoe and ura variations are included. _Best Aikido 2_ covers more intensive and advanced practice, including weapons disarming, multiple attacks, and more intricate applications of the fundamentals. This book will not teach you aikido. No book can teach you aikido. IMO, aikido can only be learned as fostered in the environment that O-sensei developed in his sublime martial arts pedagogy. Aikido is learned through regular practice, in a dojo, in partnered co-operation with a variety of people, of various shapes and sizes. _Best Aikido_ is meant to be a supplementary resource textbook, to be consulted after class or in preparation for exams. As prepared by the second Doshu (gaurdian of the Way), O...
Kodansha International (JPN) :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Martial Arts & Self-Defense :: General :: John Stevens :: Moriteru Ueshiba :: Kisshomaru Ueshiba :: :: Best Aikido- The Fundamentals (Illustrated Japanese Classics)

Hagakure- The Book of the Samurai

3 stars (Interesting as a historical text) - As a philosophical book, or a book about a way of living, I think the Hagakure falls short. Yamamoto Tsunetomo often comes across as simply an irritable, grumpy old badger. During his service to his lord, he never participated in a battle (he lived in the Edo period) and he was not really the world's greatest retainer either. Therefore it is difficult to put any merit into his personal ideas and philosophies. If you are looking for a book about the Samurai spirit, or way of the warrior, I highly recommend Code of the Samurai (though the Cleary translation leaves a little to be desired), and the Wilson translation of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. Let me give an example of my viewpoint. The basis of Tsunetomo's idealogy seems to be that the greatest achievement of a samurai is to die for his lord. He goes so far as to say "merit lies more in dying for one's master than in striking down the enemy." Granted, he lived in a time of peace, but as a warriors philosophy, this just doesn't ring true. It feels as though he took the Zen/Martial idea of losing all fear of death a little too far. Musashi's viewpoint in the Book of Five Rings seems far more correct. Musashi states that while a warrior should always be prepared for death and willing to die for one's lord, the essence of a warrior is actually in the striking down of an enemy. There is no other point to conflict than victory over your opponent. There is merit in the Hagakure. It is very interesting and useful as a historical text describing how warriors felt and acted in the Edo period of peace. It also contains anecdotes from Sengoku era samurai, which I found very interesting. Also, when Tsunetomo is not going on about rushing to one's death, he does manage a few gems of good advice. For instance, "When there is something to be said, it is better if it is said right away. If it is said later, it will sound like an excuse." If you are a samurai collec...
Kodansha International (JPN) :: Philosophy :: Martial Arts :: Japanese Philosophy :: Ethics & Moral Philosophy :: Eastern - General :: William Scott Wilson :: Yamamoto Tsunetomo :: :: Hagakure- The Book of the Samurai