Conversations With the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama [Paperback]

Randall G. Hassell (Author), Teruyuki Okazaki (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0911921001 | ISBN-13: 978-0911921007

Conversation with The Master is a terrific read as it is all about a conversation with Master Masatoshi Nakayama a direct student of Gichin Funakoshi written by world reknown author Randall G. Hassell and forwraded by Teruyuki Okazaki. 108 pages filled with rare photos of the JKA leader and his responses to great questions posed by Hassell. If you want the story on the JKA and Japanese Karate this is the right book as the author Hassell hoplds back nothing and neither does the Master.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A window of insight into the very essence and spirit of karate-do. --Rick Brewer, Shotokan Karate Magazine

Anyone who reads this book...will find cause for examining and re-examining the deeper meanings of karate-do. --Teruyuki Okazaki, 9th dan JKA -from the Foreword

From the Publisher

The author was the only Western journalist to whom the late headmaster of the Japan Karate Association granted extensive, in-depth interviews. Must reading for all serious martial artists!

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Palmerston & Reed Publishing Company (June 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911921001
• ISBN-13: 978-0911921007
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book., December 17, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Conversations With the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama (Paperback)

This book can open our minds for the thoughts of the man that is responsible for spread karate on the world and put a light in how we should conduct the karate. I recomend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible book, December 28, 2009

By 

Pierluca Lanzi "PLL" (Milan, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations With the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama (Paperback)

The book is just an interview but it's the best piece of Karate history I have ever read. Forget about the other books, this one is the real deal. Nakayama sensei talks about his beginnings in Karate, his life, the birth of katas, and his expectation of what karate will be.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Unique look into the mind of one of Shotokan's Masters, June 1, 2009

By 

Terry Tozer "TJSKA.com" (Reading, Bracknell, Brighton & Hove, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversations With the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama (Paperback)

Nakayama Sensei was one of the most senior of students of Funakoshi Sensei, the founder of Shotokan Karate. It was due to his hard work & brilliance that we can enjoy his lasting legacy.

Although only a small book, the author Mr Hassell, has provided us with a mine of information about the origins of Shotokan Karate today, something that millions around the world enjoy & benefit immensely from.

Conducted in a question - answer interview style, we get an in-depth guide to how this major style of karate came about & was promulgated throughout the world. This is a rare chance to get closer to and look into the mind of one of Shotokan's greatest masters. As well as that, since Nakayama Sensei was very close to Funakoshi Sensei, we obtain a glimpse at the founders' thoughts & feelings on the subject.

You'll discover first hand the amount of effort that went into making sure that Shotokan was transmitted around the world as it should be and why it is not considered just as a sport. Not only that, you'll also learn how kumite (sparring) came about & perhaps why karate has still not been accepted as an Olympic sport.

Illustrated throughout with unique pictures of Nakayama Sensei teaching at various locations, this will be a book to treasure. It's my hope that other reviewers will agree with me that this book will turn out to be an important part of Shotokan's history.

For further insight into the origins of Shotokan do check out Gichin Funakoshi's "Karate-do: My Way of Life" & Egami Sensei's "The Heart of Karate-do"