Empty Hand. The Essence of Budo Karate [Paperback]

Kenei Mabuni (Author), Carlos Molina (Editor), Masahiko Yokoyama (Collaborator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2009

The Lifework of a Grandmaster of Karate
Budo is the path of the Japanese traditional martial arts. Mabuni Kenei has followed this path for almost eight decades until now. He belongs to the last masters taught directly by the founders of modern karatedo. The son and heir of Mabuni Kenwa - the founder of Shito ryu - has acquired a deep understanding of the essence of Karate as a budo art during his course of life. He communicates this extremely complex knowledge to the reader in a vivid and fascinating way. For this purpose he uses his own memories and experiences, technical descriptions, historical and philosophical considerations, legends and anecdotes of the lives of famous samurai and budoka (masters of sword fighting, aikido, Okinawa-te and karate).

For the beginner the book provides an idea of the inexhaustible possibilities of budo as a school of life, and the experienced practitioner will find numerous stimuli for his further development and also for his own teaching activities.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mabuni Kenei, holder of the 10th Dan, was born in 1918 on Okinawa, the birthplace of karatedo. As the son of Mabuni Kenwa, the founder of the Shito ryu and one of the most important karate experts in history, from his childhood on he was in touch with karate and some of its greatest masters. At the age of 34 he became the head of Shito ryu. Even today, in his old age, he holds seminars in different parts of the world where he teaches authentic karatedo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Palisander; 1st ed. May 2009 edition (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3938305134
• ISBN-13: 978-3938305133
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,198,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Title for students of ALL Styles of Karate, July 30, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: Empty Hand. The Essence of Budo Karate (Paperback)

From the son of Mabuni Kenwa, founder of Shitu-Ryu, this is a masterpiece. If you had ever wondered what those "hidden secrets of karate" were & dismissed the phrase because you thought you had discovered them already and then you will a nice surprise waiting for you in this book.

Did Funakoshi Sensei really found the Shotokan Ryu? Who did Funakoshi really learn is kata from? The ones introduced to Japan & the world early last century.

As well as a large section on the history on the origins of karate there is a great deal of illustrated material explaining the bunkai of some kata; none of which I've ever seen before. Kenei Mabuni Sensei deals with the meaning of what karate is & how it can benefit everyone all of their life by strengthening their character as well as their mind & body.

From one of Goju Ryu's greatest karate masters. It will be of interest to all style of karate not only for addicts & adepts of Goju-ryu. The book starts naturally with a detailed historical section of where & how karate came into existence & the large influence China had on the art.

He convincingly argues that karate should stick to its traditional roots & not be sport orientated for fear of loosing the original aim of the art, which was to not just improve ones fitness, but to forever daily improve ones character by strengthening ones spirit, mind & body. Also, how karate is one of the best self defence systems because it does not need to rely upon the use of weapons & yet teaches you how to defend against any weapon.

Students of other styles & arts such as Shotokan, Shito-ryu, Judo & Jujitsu will find a wealth of information in this book & help them acquire a greater depth of understanding about the study of budo as a whole.

Goju ryu students will be interested in accounts about his father - Mabuni Kenwa, Miyagi Chojun & of course Itosu Anko sensei's for example.

The book is written in a simple & easy to read style with only a very small amount of translation problems with the use of certain words.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Shito-Ryu must have, January 24, 2012

By 

Honda John - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empty Hand. The Essence of Budo Karate (Paperback)

Empty Hand - The Essence of Budo Karate is a must have book for any Shito-Ryu practitioner. It is not a "how-to" book, but a book full of explanation of Kenei Mabuni's traditional karate and of his past. Details of Kata and their origin are detailed in an easy to read fashion. The book title says it all about this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the few, October 11, 2011

By 

Mark R. Beverstock "Toda e Nada...Shut Up n T... (Brisbane QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empty Hand. The Essence of Budo Karate (Paperback)

if you're one of the endangered species of those who, in the jaded, post-mma era still cling to the hope of finding credible, authentic rationales of traditional karate as legitimate budo, and who have evolved past the false 'EITHER/OR' dichotomy in framing the 'spiritual'/'practical' debate...this is a beauty...