The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art [Paperback]

Peter Urban (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1991

KARATE is not only a means of self-defense; it is also a sport and a philosophy. The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art examines each of these aspects through the colorful legends, tales, and traditions that are associated with the art—and explains why educators and parents are becoming increasingly interested in karate. This book shows how karate training can change the lives of those who practice it, by giving them health, self-confidence, both physical and mental discipline, as well as calm maturity.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (August 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804817030
• ISBN-13: 978-0804817035
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A martial arts classic, January 20, 2000

By 

Henry McCann (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art (Paperback)

This book is a classic on martial arts. For many of us who have been practicing for decades, this was one of the first books we may have read.

It contains a collection of both interesting stories and pieces of information for students of martial arts that detail physical training regimens as well as martial philosophy and history. It is not a "how to" book but rahter an introduction to martial arts training in general. As this book is a classic, written by an American martial arts pioneer, it is worth having.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple Book, Simple Stories, Simple Teaching - Nice, June 12, 2005

By 

K.H. - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art (Paperback)

Peter Urban was a pioneer in American karate and helped not only spread the art of goju ryu, but the ripple effect helped the promotion of other martial arts as well in the 60s and 70s. While a little eccentric, Urban was true to the bushido roots, while adapting karate for an American population.

This book covers karate philosophy in its mid-twentieth century form and promotes the positive aspects of discipline and etiquette. The book deals with attitude and motivation of spirit. The second half of the book has "dojo stories" that help embody the essences of karate training.

This is just a nice and simple book worth the read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "The Weaponless Weapon", January 2, 2007

By 

Erik Olson "Seeker Reviews" (Ridgefield, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art (Paperback)

As a ShoDan assistant instructor of Shiho Karano Kenpo Karate, I strive to educate myself about the martial arts. I've found some good books on the subject, and I'm always on the lookout for more. Since "The Karate Dojo" has been in print since 1967, I figured it must provide valuable direction. It does, mainly by portraying a snapshot of martial arts history that challenges the budo practitioner to forsake mediocrity for mastery and character.

The book has three basic parts. First, the author provides a somewhat Karate-centric view of martial arts facets such as the dojo, belt ranking systems, and character self-analysis. In the second section are a number of martial arts parables that teach through historical narrative. Finally, Sensei Urban uses the last chapter to discuss the "contemporary" Karate scene (i.e. the mid-1960s). The overall theme is one of extreme discipline and perseverance within the martial arts, necessary to achieve a seemingly mystical level of physical, mental, moral, and spiritual ability. In other words, it takes hard work and commitment to become a "weaponless weapon."

"The Karate Dojo" is a quick read - I finished it in less than a day. There are a number of stylized line drawings and black-and-white photographs to complement the text. It's a portrait of an era in Karate that seems to be almost mythical - and mostly lost, at least in the West. The author fondly discusses harsh daily training under the strict discipline of a revered master in a dojo where everyone's practically family. I've tasted some of that, but nothing close to what Sensei Urban describes. And that's where I differed with the author. Yes, optimal mastery of any activity requires the type of commitment he advocates, and that's OK for some. But I believe it's possible to benefit from a consistent and disciplined practice of the martial arts without making an all-consuming religion out of it.

At any rate, despite some dated aspects and a monkish focus on martial arts that may be beyond what many would bear, "The Karate Dojo" contains worthwhile insights for the martial artist. If nothing else, its high standards may challenge one to take their current commitment and practice to a higher level.