Customer Reviews

Goju Ryu Karate Technical Series 3-Essence of Karate (Tsunami) [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was a member of Higaonna sensei's dojo in Tokyo in the mid 1970s and this video brought back not only the details of the Goju Ryu kihon but also the feeling and flavour of the movements. Watching this tape is the next best thing to actually training with 'the Boss'. Karate-ka looking for neat tournament-style techniques will be disappointed but those karate-ka of all styles looking for effective fighting techniques will not. Higaonna sensei 'explodes' into the basic waza of Goju Ryu and so the slow motion review sections are useful to understand some of the more subtle motions of the hips and joints which add to the overall efficiency of the techniques. This tape is not to be looked at and simply put on the shelf to gather dust: it needs to be studied repeatedly and the lessons applied in training. The lack of a voice over is not a problem; anyone with half a brain cell should be able to work out the important points themselves. The ability to generate energy at short range is of great value to all karate-ka and this skill is clearly Higaonna sensei's forte. I had to smile in sympathy at the poor assistant who suffered in the cause of art; I have been on the wrong end of some of the Boss's short range blows and I remember well how I similarly moved. However this is all done with a great sense of humour which can be seen on the tape. Buy this tape and make use of it. You can only benefit.

This video, which is the third in a series, displays many different punching, blocking, striking and kicking techniques of Goju-Ryu. It allows the viewer to study many of the powerful techniques from the Goju style that they might not normally experience in their own training. Tsunami Productions has, once again, produced a high quality video with in-depth content. It is a wonderful learning tool and a must for all serious karate-ka.

Higaonna greatly underachieves with this tape which has the potential to be a valuable addition to the martial artists video library. It is, however, sadly incomplete. The impression is little effort went into this production which simply shows the master punching and kicking at his student, who theatrically flails around. There is no explanation of any of the keypoints of execution of the techniques. I would say the tape is "interesting" but the customer absolutely is not getting value for the money. Not recommended.

i was expecting alot from this tape because i am teaching myself karate. the production was ok, but the moves wern't effective enough and i didn't see the key points for the punches. the both of them were tired; it was like they shot the film in two hours with no brakes.
But no doubt they show almost all the strikes and punches and the way they are used. in total, it is a good tape but it is not worth the price.

Videos made by this company always receive the highest rating in the trade magazines like the Library Journal and Video Librarian. As a video industry professional I have to agree with them. They are simply in a class of their own as far as content and production value is concerned. This series by Morio Higaonna, an instructor rated so highly that he is the only karate man ever to be elected to the Japanese Government's "Hall of Martial Virtues" better know as the Budokan, is no exception. Higaonna's technique is perfect-there is no other word for it. The multi-camera (5) studio footage is broadcast quality, and the narration and music first class. It was no surprise to any of us when the same production team was nominated for a Cable Ace Award in the catagory of education against competition from some of the biggest studios in the nation. As a magazine editor I review martial arts videos on a weekly basis, but I only ever buy Tsunami products for my own collection.

Morio Higaonna is considered to be the world's greatest living karate master, and is the first and only one to be appointed to the board of Japan's "Budokan" (Hall of Martial Virtues). This superb series produced by a team nominated for a Cable Ace Award the year these videos were made, is the standard for the teaching of Goju Ryu around the world, and that by which all instructors are judged. However, it is not for the beginner or those who have received inferior training. While the high dan grade in Goju Ryu karate will be both amazed and inspired by the quality of the content and production, the beginner will become confused and barely able to grasp the concepts, let alone benefit from the contents of the program. This part (3) of the series shows all the basic techniques and combinations but at a very high level. The studio production quality (multiple cameras, excellent narration and music) is very good, the many techniques well organized and performed as only this author can, and the presentation smooth without being flashy. If you are in instructor you will find this series an essential aid in the preparation of your classes. I did! My only complaint is that they are not yet available on CD. I bought the whole series on VHS and have used them so much that I have worn them out.

Hi hello Hanshi Morio Higaonna! I am Herbie A. Delicona (Brown Belt)member of the Goju-Ryu Karate Club of Dipolog City, Philippines. I am very interested to learn the Style of Goju-Ryu but I have no idea what is the true meaning of GOJU-RYU. Can you help me explain the meaning of it in english term? And kindly send me some photos of your dojo training school and original large LOGO of Goju-Ryu. Anticipating your favorable action. Thank you very much for your help. God Bless You Always!