The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do [Paperback]

Shoshin Nagamine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

Shoshin Nagamine was the last of the legendary pre-war karate masters and a well-known disciple of peaceful non-violence. His classic work, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do, documents eighteen of the Okinawan karate kata and seven partner exercises (kumite), as well as a number of basic techniques, transmitting the secrets of Okinawan karate from its greatest masters to the modern reader. Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over rare 1,000 photographs of pre-war masters demonstrating their martial arts. But it is an unusual reference in another way as well: Shoshin Nagamine's wisdom integrates stunning martial arts capability with non-violence and spiritual peace.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shoshin Nagamine was a practitioner and master of Okinawan karate-do for more than sixty years. At the time of his death in 1997, he held a tenth dan black belt, the highest rank of any active karate instructor in the world. He was also awarded the title of hanshi, the highest title in the art of karate, by the All Okinawan Karate-do Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804821100
• ISBN-13: 978-0804821100
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Okinawa Karate & Kata Bible in English, February 15, 2003

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Shorin-Ryu) (Hardcover)

Shoshin Nagamine's book is invaluable to anyone who studies Shorin-ryu Karate, or a school related to or derived from Shorin-ryu. Although Nagamine's volume was originally published in English in 1976, it still sets the standard for other books on the subject of Okinawan karate (I don't know of any English volume as thorough--and I own over 3,000 martial arts books). It is also the only English language Shorin-ryu manual to include complete demonstrations of ALL 18 kata of this style, all of which are demonstrated by Mr. Nagamine himself (photos, foot position & stepping diagrams, and narrative). They include: Fugyu Kata I & II, Pinan 1 through 5, Naihanchi 1-3, Ananku, Wankan, Rohai, Wanshu, Passai, Gojushiho, Chinto, and Kusanku. Practitioners of styles such as Shotokan and Tang Soo Do will enjoy comparing these older versions of the forms with those they practice today. This is one of the few books on Karate which could benefit a practitioner at either the basic OR advanced levels, due to the amount and depth of information included within.

Another attractive feature of this book is the excellent autobiography which Mr. Nagamine includes. He writes about personal aspects of his life, his interest in karate and other martial arts (he was also a skilled judoka), and includes a subsection on each of his teachers describing his experience and what he learned. He describes training with his first teacher, Ankichi Arakaki, and then the famed Chotoku Kyan, and the kempo master Choki Motobu. Nagamine offers his personal thoughts on karate training, including a series of precepts which have guided his own studies. The section on basic techniques (preceeding the lengthy section on kata) shows exactly how each movement is to be performed, and includes detailed photographs from the start of the technique to its finish. There are also sections on Kumite (showing 7 sequences and also brief information on breaking objects and makiwara training) and Kobudo (weapons such as sai, bo, nunchaku, etc.).

Concerning Shishin Nagamine, the man was a dedicated karate researcher as well as a skilled practitioner who knew many of the old masters and was friendly with karate men of other styles. Nagamine's specific style is called Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu. He was a policeman by trade, and has written a second book called "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters", which includes much more about his experiences delving into karate history.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Bible of Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Shorin-Ryu) (Hardcover)

All Matsubayashi Practioners need this book in their possesion. Breaks down all eighteen katas and leaves room on every page for notes and highlighting. Shoshin Nagamine does an excellent job in helping us learn about his life, the history of karate and the techniques of Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu. This book is the best guideline in helping anyone learn and maintain their katas, kihon and yakusoku kumite. I have recommended it to all of my students and friends . I live by this book. Sensei Dan Cole Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One does not have to be....., June 13, 2003

By 

David Nielsen "Founder of Nahashu Ryu Karate Do" (Cabot, Ar United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Paperback)

One does not have to be a Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu practitioner to recognize the importance of this historical and highly instructional book on Traditional Okinawan Karate. The story of how Shoshin Nagamine and Chojun Miyagi worked together to construct Gekisai Dai Ichi Kata for use in both of their systems is telling in that these great masters all new each other and trained together and worked towards promoting Karate to the world as a team. No Traditional Karate student loses when they learn something from all of the Traditional Karate Arts from Okinawa. I highly reccomend this book to any practioner. It's great to have in the martial arts library!