Customer Reviews

Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of Kung Fu and Karate

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Here Nathan Johnson presents his treatis for the relationship between Buddhist philosophy (primarily zen) and martial arts practice. He considers authenticity in forms, and examines meaning and concepts related to shaolin. I don't fully agree with all of his premises, such as the idea that it is more likely a form is "authentic" when its practitioners credit a Buddhist or Taoist creator (many forms were assigned mysterious origin to make the school or founder credible), has a Buddhist name or title (like Ji-on in shotokan), is simple in its movements, etc. However, Johnson is one of the first who has had the time and energy to research his topics, and formulate theories based upon the how and why, as opposed to simply regurgitating and not questioning older information (the tiresome old "sensei said it, so it is true!" routine).

Johnson also examines karate in the greater context of cultural relativity, pondering such oddities as the esoteric meaning of Sanchin kata ("Sanchin is a mandala..."), and tries his hand (well) at debunking many myths and mistaken notions common in karate and kung fu today. Johnson offers advnanced concepts. You don't have to buy all of his theories, but reading this book will definately encourage you to consider your forms and martial arts in general in a new light.

This second volume is also a great improvement upon the first, as Johnson explains all of the things that I felt were lacking in that book. He relates experiences, correspondences, and includes footnotes and a bibliography of sources, crediting quotes sources. Johnson again demonstrates the fundamental forms of Sanchin and Naihanchin with their applications as in his first book "Zen Shaolin Karate", but the reader has the opportunity to consider his ideas in a wider context. Throughout the time I spent reading this work, I was convinced that this is a highly personal effort, sincere and honest to its heart. Not a grain of arrogance or pretentiousness did I encounter in my reading. Johnson is not trying to force feed us, on the contrary I felt he was encouraging the same spirit of research and discovery among those who consider his words. A worthwhile read for the martial artist who is weary of the mundane and repetitive.

Nathan Johnson's book is a gem. Zen Shaolin Karate was good but Barefoot Zen Is a classic. It's taken a long time for somebody with enough courage to stand up and admit that "the Emperor is not wearing any Clothes". What I mean by this is that the Bunkai (applications)of Karate's antique Kata were never meant as defences against punches and kicks, or as secret Dim Mak strikes. Nathan Johnson reveals that the original meaning to three of Karate's oldest Kata are in fact grip escapes, grip reversals and subduing techniques. He shows quite beautifully how these techniques evolve from the positions contained within the Kata. The techniques are performed with a partner exactly as they are performed solo by the Karate ka. There are no 'SECRET' meanings and hidden techniques that can only be learned from 'sage' like masters'. I have practiced the Martial Arts for 26years, and I've waited a long time for somebody to explain to me in such a clear and precise manner what these enigmatic movements are actually for. The book contains so much info on the background, philosophy and origins of the Shaolin empty hand forms. It sets out to show the common origins of Gung Fu and Karate rather than highlighting their differences. I believe that it elevates the stereotypical images of the Karate practitioner out of the playground and into the adult world. It doesn't claim to make you a better fighter or to give you the ability to fend off any would be mugger. It puts this popular Hollywood image to rest. Let's not forget that Hollywood is after all the place where fantasies are made. Barefoot Zen shows you what Karate is and how it should be practiced. The only question the book raises in my mind is why hasn't an Okinawan or Japanese Master written a book like this on Karate before? Quite frankly no serious Karate practitioners bookshelf is complete without Barefoot Zen. Do yourself a favour, buy it and absorb its message. It will change the way you practice Karate forever.

This is truly an impressive book. If you are a student of Okinawan Karate this book is a must. I was very impressed with the way Mr. Johnson explained the role of the KATA in Karate, particularly, the section on Sanchin. I have studied the Sanchin Kata under one of the top instructors in the world, and yet still was able to learn a number of facts about Sanchin that I was completely ignorant about. This book is well researched, well written, and an eye opener.

This book is an exellent expression of Sensei Johnson's evolution as a man of gung fu. The ideas presented here are of great value in restoring the art and spirit to martial arts. The infomation is reserched diagently, presented honestly, and writen clearly. My thanks to the author for the courage of compasion in these days of gladitorial combat.

I really enjoyed this book. The author, Nathan Johnson is an eloquent writer. The book is written in a narrative that provides detailed historical lineages of the most popular martial art disciplines (Kungfu and Okinawan systems) known throughout the world. Most of the book focuses on the principles of zen. Mr Johnson, demostrates numerous katas and shows how the posture translate into arm twists, throws, and strikes. The application was not design inflict permanent injury rather control. Control rather than injury seems to build his case for the actual intrepretation and purpose of the martial art system. He effectively defends his intrepretations of these kata with philosophical discussions about their historical origins, religious buddist intent, and zen application. It is clear that Mr Johnson believes that spiritual and moral development is the core belief of the Shaolin Martial Art system teachings. He convinces the reader of this fact by dedicating a chapter to discussing why the shaolin martial art system was not a system of combat. Mr. Johnson demostration of pushing hands conveys the message, the tao is the middle way, "not agressive and not passive." The hand transformations where used to understand how to blend with resistence or force, neutralize it, and return it to the sender. The book is about the desire of enlightenment, kindness, and hard work and how to achieve lasting meaning in the study of the martial art system.

Nathan Johnson has done a wonderful job in preparing and presenting the material in this book. His ideas about and research into the truth behind the origins of Kung Fu and Karate kata is unique and insightful. He presents a carefully thought out and well supported argument; that the original kung-fu forms from Shaolin temple were not intended as a combat art. He argues (and I think proves) that forms developed from push hand techniques that were developed for Zen transmission. As a result the (sometimes ridiculous) applications for kata techniques that many of us were taught, are reexamined and more likely applications are presented. I highly recommend this book.

If you are a purely physical martial artist, you will find little here to align with your search.

If, however, you view the martial arts as having spiritual components as well as physical components, you will find this book interesting and potential useful.

That said, even then, you must overlook the author's foibles in order to uncover these gems. The author is a bit of a "religious zealot" in his views.

You will have to overlook the irony in his frequent criticisms of other views that suggest to know the way; ironic since the author believes he alone knows the true way. And you must overlook his constant criticism of everyone who does not share his view exactly, which is typically followed by the suggestion that he doesn't want to criticize other styles and practitioners. And his constant use of others opinions as "facts" far too often serve as "references" to support his position.

If you can overlook these, you will likely find an opportunity to view the martial arts with a different perspective. While you may not "convert" to the authors beliefs, you will likely come away with a deeper understanding of your own beliefs with regard to the martial arts.

This book is a must have. It backs up what has been practiced for years at Ryukyu Budo-Kai. This book ties in Zen and Karate, and specifically the KATA. You will see complete examples of Kata and how the bunkai is suppose to be applied. barefoot zen also clearly demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu and Karate grew from the spiritual practices of the Shaolin order of Buddhist monks and nuns. And follows through to Masters of our time, like Grand Master Nagamine. There is also a section to help you distinguish between what is traditional kata and what has been changed for the modern world. I believe that everything in this book is presented in a stright forward method. This book is a must for all true karateka.

The parts of the book dealing with Sanchin and Tensho kata are useful if you have never examined them carefully. The author provides useful interpretations and details for karate students. Regretfully the author omits an entire area of the training in the aforementioned kata, namely internal training, which is the essence of these kata. The author would be well advised to research qi gong training, as would any reader who is determined to study these kata seriously.

After reading and rereading this book, I cannot recommend it other than as a handy insect killer. If you want to hear that same old excuse about how Shaolin and Shaolin only created all the martial arts, then you will geek out on this book. Most of what he says (historically) is based on a legend that has been debunked so many times your grandma was a young girl when it first happened, if she was born in 1908.

I thought I was buying a book about a link between China and the Okinawan art. Instead I bought a book by a self absorbed Englishman who, in trying to destroy one art(or several), managed to show his ignorance of the concept of martial arts in totality.

I should give him credit though; Of all the books that proposed to to repurpose the Asian martial arts, his is the only one that does not mention Bruce Lee. Unless I missed it when my eyes began to cross.

Why?

Why mention a guy who was working on it 50 years ago when you, today, are trying to recreate a religious thingamajigger out of a monastery that seemed to be more interested in currying political favor from the imperial house and killing people despite the very plain Buddhist edict against killing? Power and greed gets people killed. He never explains why the Shaolin monks killed. He is to busy talking about himself.