Customer Reviews

Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text

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I am a 2nd-dan practitioner under Tsutomu Ohshima, the translator, and I want to point out a few things, regarding the comments. Mr. Ohshima read the original Japanese text of his teacher(Funakoshi), at least 50 times (before translating), and was authorized by his family to translate it into English. With those considerations (and the fact that it took 10 years), it was a monumental undertaking--personally, professionally, and historically. I can appreciate that he used his own photos, because, as someone else pointed out, the stances got lower and longer, and some things were in transition at the time the book was written--think of it as a "2nd, updated edition." For more information on the changes going on at the time, investigate Shigeru Egami's excellent Karate-do Nyumon, also available here. Egami was Mr. Ohshima's senior and very close friend, considered by many to be the top karateka during his life.

Master Funakoshi mastered 2 styles--shorei-ryu and shorin ryu-during his lifetime, instructed by Masters Itosu and Azato. The former has powerful, hard directed movements, rooted in deep stances, while the latter has swift, sweeping, bird-like movements, and we have kata from each style (Ie. the Heian/Pinan forms are Shorin, while Tekki/Neihanchu kata are shorei). Traditional "karate" come from Okinawa, and the different regional styles, named for the towns, drew some influence from Chinese sailors trained in kung-fu, who washed ashore and trained the villagers, further influencing their styles, and differentiating them. "Shotokan" means "House of Shoto." "Shoto" was Master Funakoshi's nickname. When a karateka was asked where he was going, he'd say "Shotokan," or Shoto's house. "Shoto" also means the sound the wind makes when blowing through pine needles, which Master Funakoshi loved.

Numerous styles claim heritage through Funakoshi, and widespread, unauthorized use of the Shotokan "circled tiger" has ensued. This symbol was created by one of Funakoshi's students, and is trademarked. You can see it in the opening of one of Jet Li's movies, and probably many others.

Traditional Tae-Kwon-Do was created by practitioners who got their karate black belts in Japan in the 20th century (according to my research) although there's a raging debate about the "ancient" origins of those arts. Some claim Tae-Kwon-Do descended from a children's game in which practitioners tried to knock down their opponents with a kick, which was banned by elders long ago--a view that is often ridiculed by martial art historians. This is buttressed by the fact that many Tae-Kwon-Do schools use this Kyohan as their text, and either the exact same kata (particularly the Heian), or lightly modified (usually with modified or added kicks).

Not all "karate" styles are directly descended from Shotokan. Goju-ryu and others at least partially developed in parallel, but they definitely influenced each other, and had common roots. To be called "karate," however, implied, originally, Chinese roots. This changed, later, to mean "open-hand" styles, so karate, today, is more generally loosely defined. This website has a clear "family tree," of karate heritage, as well as incredibly useful information and links-- [...]. Ohshima Shihan's website is [...]. Also see [...] (in English or Spanish).

One reviewer criticized the Shotokan punch, and it seemed that he was responding not to the book, but to Shotokan generally. Our stances have gotten longer and narrower. When Funakoshi brought karate to mainland Japan, many practitioners were already experts in judo and kendo. One effect was the lengthening of the distance between fighters--often a judo expert would immediately slam a karateka to the ground, or a kendoka would quickly "spear" the uninitiated with a punch. These 2 aspects, as you might imagine, caused a relatively immediate change, not unlike (although it's a long-shot) the effect Gracie Jujitsu had on early mixed martial arts events. These three disciplines (and others) combined to develop the efficacy of Japanese karate, as practiced by Funakoshi's students.

Another reviewer sharply pointed out that the book was written for beginners, as well as advanced practitioners. One isn't meant to punch (and fight) with the hand opposite the punching hand pulled back to the hip (ie. "pulling hand), so there is no "arm ending up behind one's body" as the other reviewer had mentioned. This is taught to beginners to show them the proper movement, and is often reverted to by the advanced, to refine the development of power through the thrusting of the hips. In a real engagement (and sparring), fighters hold their hands up naturally, like boxers or MMA fighters.

This review is supplemented by my material here--[...]

The highly-rated Karate Jutsu: The Original Teachings of Gichin Funakoshi, by Ohshima godan John Teramoto (and also available here on Amazon) is the first official English translation of an earlier Funakoshi book. Also do not miss Funakoshi's Karate-do: My Way of Life.

This book is great in every aspect. First, the layout is great, quality paper with very well done illustrations and great photographic material. Second, the text by Masetr Funakoshi is very pleasant and interesting to read, really enjotable. And third the katas are demonstrated with great technique and much detail (written and pictures). Be sure to get this book if you are serously interersted in Shotokan Karate-Do. I must mention although that the book is 3/4 of Katas and 1/4 of everything else, so if you think you will be bored with pages and pages of katas dmonstartion, think about it twice. Overall, I find it excellent.

Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of modern karate. His style is known as shotokan, from his nickname Shoto. Every karate and tae kwon do style in the world today is descended from Funakoshi. Ancient Korean tae kwon do is a lost art. Modern TKD borrowed heavily from Funakoshi.

Nearly 200 of the book's 250 pages are devoted to katas, the choreographed forms of karate. There are 17 katas carefully explained and illustrated. I learned some of these 30 years ago. You forget a lot in 30 years - although not so much if it's been drummed into your head enough. Anyway here they are - move by move, good as new. They are great practice tools for when you don't have a partner. Doing kata is a lot more interesting than repetitive drills.

There are few books which can compare with Funakoshi's master text. Although the style which I practice lies outside of the lineage of the system presented here, I have always admired this book's clean setup and the clear exposition of the principles which epitomize the Japanese style(s). The katas are taught as well as can be expected given a book format. It is clear from the writing that Funakoshi loved his art. It is also clear that he could USE his art if the need arose. A close reading of his explanation of applications will confirm that his knowledge extended beyond the "block,punch,block,strike" stage.

This book is a must have for Shotokan as well as other stylists. The photos are excellent and the presentation of the forms is equally good. An important feature is the footwork diagrams, missing in many otherwise good kata books. The book is mostly katas, and up till this time it was the only book documenting the more advanced forms. To my knowledge, it is still the only book that has the Ten No Kata Omote form. There are 19 forms in all. Senior Egami does a great job with the form demonstrations.

There are about 30 forms in all in the Shotokan style. I only hope that someone does a book someday with all of them. Nakayama has done some further books with 2 or 3 of the advanced forms per book, but I'd like to see them all under one cover some day. However, someone who masters the 19 forms in this book should have considerable skill and power.

I just recently began studying Shotokan Karate in October 2005 and I believe that this book should be required for all students who study the art. Just like when a person is in college, the student is required to obtain a text book to learn the subject matter thoroughly. In my opinion, it should be the same with karate. This book helped me to understand the correct way to perform all of the katas as well as the kihons. Its funny how you learn it correctly in class and over time you forget little steps here and there. This book helped to reinforce the basics and remind me of the little things that make a good kata great. By simply reading a few pages a couple of times a week, it helped me to perform better. I have not read the entire book since I only read up to Heian Sandan, which is the kata I am currently working on, but I will refer to this book throughout my studies all the way to Black Belt.

Those who doubt Funakoshi's (or Shotokan's) abilities in a real fight should read this book. The author's comments on throwing, bunkai, self-defense, etc. are profound. Of course, you have to read between the lines for some of the truly devastating stuff, but Funakoshi as a true scholar-warrior understood that a "Master Text" had to appeal to both beginners on a surface level and to advanced students on a more introspective one. This is not the book for "Super-Soke 10th Dan Kempo Master X", it is a great book for those truly interested in traditional karate-do.

I own a fairly good number of karate books, and this book is by far the most useful; it is unsurpassed as an aid for students wanting to refine their kata, and also offers good insight in the basic concepts of what karate-do is. This is not a book you can learn karate from (as if there were such a thing), but for those who already practice, this is a real must-read book. Funakoshi Sensei wrote this book as an aid for students of karate at the request of many of his own students; I believe he succeeded magnificently.

Although not a practitioner of Shotokan Karatedo, I have had an original 1935 copy of this book for many years, when I finally broke down and bought the English translation. I was not disappointed. I do feel however, that Oshima Sensei should have left in the photos of Funakoshi Sensei himself performing the techniques and kata, or at least left in the photos that show womens' self defense, in only from an historical point of view. All in all, though, this book is one of the most comprehensive on the market today.

Master Funakoshi's book gives a lot of information about the Shuri-te systems and explores others within the Okinawan KArate styles too. The one blessing with this book is the massive amount of pictures showing how the early Shoto-kan kata were performed. All are done by Japanese Karate-ka, students of Funakoshi in a traditional dojo, hardwood floors, and wearing only white GI's. The pictures give a step by step account of how the kata are performed along with diagrams showing the stepping sequences. This is one of thsoe books written well before Karate came to the United States, and its spirit is both refreshing and inspiring.