Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo [Paperback]

Masayuki Kukan Hisataka (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Pub; 1st edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080481953X
• ISBN-13: 978-0804819534
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,287,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A excellent and rare find, March 9, 2004

By 

"shugyosha69" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo (Paperback)

The other reveiwers have obviously been offended by the religous references in this book. I however disagree. Just as in the concept of bunkai (the practical application of kata) history can have a metaphorical component. The philosophy section is still some of the best I have read and the kata section is excellent with great photos and description. This book is well worth the purchase for non practictioners of the shorinjiryu style as the depictions of its kata really show karate's chinese influences. I love this book and at one time was desperately searching for scientific karate-do, unaware of the treasure that I already owned. A must have not only for practitioners of Kori Hisataka's legacy but for anyone wishing to enhance there knowledge of karate and this rare tradtional style.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Technical Information, December 6, 2001

By 

D. Paroz "Karate Instructor" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo (Paperback)

I was the co-author of the book, or at least for most of it. I did not co-author the ancient historical piece with religious references.

This book had the heart and soul of both Hisataka sensei and myself put into it, and it was written over 2 years during my time in Japan. Hisataka-sensei is a brilliant karateka, and the technical information in this book reflects his extraordinary knowledge.

I second the comments of the other reviewer - get the book and read the technical information. Take the preface and the historical perspective and apply your own thoughts. The history of karate is extensively researched, and quite comprehensive.

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, But...., December 23, 2005

By 

. (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo (Paperback)

Yes, the "historical" info in this text is quite far-fetched, BUT the theoretical, philosophical and technical sections (basically MOST of the book, aside from a small section) are some of the absolute best I've ever seen in any book on Karate-Do. I am a Shodan in Shotokan and have found this book to have been VERY useful and applicable to my own practice in every way. HIGHLY reccomended ("historical" info aside).