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The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art

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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.

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.

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.

The author's name is synonymous with the Goju style of Karate.
The volume covers the dojo etiquette, the system of belts,
kata and jiu-kumite. The Goju style has a progressive series of
belts from white to green to green/stripes to purple to brown
to brown/stripes and finally to the first level black belt.
Incremental knowledge of the katas combined with excellence of
execution are important distinguishing factors between the
various belts. At the higher levels, candidates must have
some formal teaching together with entries into various competitions sponsored by local, national and international
associations in the art. Contestants have a separate karate
etiquette to be displayed before the judges and their fellow
colleagues.

Master Peter Urban shows the all-important
connection between excellence of execution of the kata and
transferal of those skills to the formal jiu-kumite. The book
contains a series of stories related by the author. These stories
form an integral part of the book. Mastery of the art requires
continuous practice and study on the part of candidates.
The skills learned in Goju Karate can be transferred into life
practices and habits. The volume is well worth the price for
serious students of the Goju Karate. Read this book thoroughly
and your Sensei will marvel at your progress in the art!

Master Urban's simple but thoughtful writing captures the essense of Karate's aim, history and potential. This book is a must for all serious students.

Having discovered the Urban legacy only recently, through my sensei, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip through the maestro's mind that this book represents. Between this and 'karate psychology' (aka 'Karate sensei')we are given passage into a brilliant martial arts masters mindset. Urban wasn't just a groundbreaking sensei in terms of his being first to connect martial arts with the 'new world', but he was a fascinating thinker, in whatever he might have done. This aspect of his brilliance becomes clear in-between the pages, not so much as in the content but the eclectic style he writes with. The patchwork, almost mad-magazine throw it on the wall and see if it sticks style lets us see the way he makes connections between things and the ride is a most worthwhile one. The man clearly would have stood out in some way no matter what he did in life. The fact that he became who he was just delineates a rare example of the perfect person finding their perfect calling perfectly.

As a (goju) martial artist, AND psychology enthusiast, I recommend it highly.

The book is a nice read, it has an enjoyable read and some curiosities. Unfortunately it do not look deeper into the subject.

For one that want understand a little more about karate this book could be a great help. Well written and a soft read.

While browsing the MA books, this title jumped out at me...I bought a copy of The Karate Dojo back in the early 80's when I was a green belt (I'm now a 5th Dan) and after almost 30 years, still have it on my bookshelf and read it from time to time. This looks like a possible newer edition, but that would only mean an already outstanding book must now be superb. A book is only as good as its author, and Peter Urban is an excellent writer who captures the essence of karate and the "traditional" karate lifestyle (think "old school") with his personal experiences, anecdotes and special section of classic & entertaining martial art folk tales. The book's title is spot on and really sums it up in a nutshell: "Traditions and Tales of a martial art." Again, this is NOT an instructional or how-to book, but more akin to a writer's (martial artist's) journal or diary. It's an easy & fun read. No matter what style/art you study, how long you've been studying, or if you're someone who just likes martial arts in general (whether you take the arts or not), I think you'll LOVE this well-written & fascinating book.

I picked this up one day because it was on sale. The book was a good primer on daily training, but to me the best part was the collection of stories at the end. There is one about how Master Funakoshi came to be the one chosen to promote karate to the Japanese and a really cool one about the graduation ceremony for a Shaolin Monestary (those guys were really tough) and several others that really help you appreciate the budo. I find myself rereading them about once a year.