Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting [Paperback]

Hidetaka Nishiyama (Author), Richard C. Brown (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (November 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804816689
• ISBN-13: 978-0804816687
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May be the best karate book ever written, January 6, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting (Paperback)

This is the most complete instructional karate book I've ever seen. It came out in 1960 and has still not been improved on. The authors were disciples of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate. There is very clear step by step and pictorial instruction on how to do all the moves of traditional shotokan karate, the original style out of which all the others grew. If you are attending a karate class now you will recognize your techniques in this book. The styles haven't changed that much in 40 years. There are probably more moves in this book than in your class.

The book has 22 chapters. Some of the chapter titles are: striking points and vital points, stance, hand techniques, foot techniques, sparring, and throwing techniques. There are 40 pages of self defense moves.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fundamental Shotokan Karate, March 16, 2002

By 

"jvaldezcg5" (Burbank, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting (Paperback)

Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown is the perfect starter book for any one wishing to learn Shotokan Karate. It describes all the stances, punches, strikes, blocks, and kicks. An explanation of the application of Karate techniques in self-defense situations is given. Briefly outlined is the history and principles of the art but what is indispensable in the book are the recommended schedules for the different training situations which make this book a perfect guide for the student and helpful manual for the instructor. After learning what is in this book I would suggest moving on to one of the books by Robin L. Rielly; either Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, or The Secrets of Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-3229-3. My only wish is that the chapters on Kumite and Kata would be expanded but that is why I recommend the two books above as well.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early work but still great, October 5, 2000

By 

magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting (Paperback)

Considering this book came out originally in 1960 and was the first large-format book on Karate I had seen up to that point, it is remarkable that it has rarely been exceeded in the all time since. The photos of the basic techniques are very clear. The applications sections are generous with good coverage of sparring and self-defense.

I have a personal story about Nishiyama, although I didn't study with him myself, but someone I know did. Nishiyama was in Los Angelos for some time back in the 60's and he was conducting a training session. One of the students, a guy by the name of Ray Dalke, who later led the U.C. Riverside Shotokan club to the national championship title, was in the class. I met Dalke when I was a doctoral student at UCR back in the early 80's, but I actually heard this from one of his students. Ray had never been very loose in the legs, especially the groin stretch, where you sit on the ground in a quasi-lotus position and bounce your knees up and down and try to get them all the way to the ground.

Anyway, Nishiyama came around to Dalke, and noticed his problem. He says to Dalke, "You want to have loose lap?" (Sometimes Nishiyama's English was a bit rough, but the meaning came through loud and clear). Dalke says, "yes, Master, I do." Nishiyama says again, "Are you sure you want to have loose lap?" Dalke says, "Yes, yes, Master, I want it more than anything!" At that moment Nishiyama jumps up into the air and comes down with both feet planted squarely on Dalke's knees, driving them all the way to the floor.

Well, he said Dalke's scream of agony could be heard for two city blocks. They had to get an ambulance and take Dalke away. But he survived and was back later after he healed with the "loosest lap" you've ever seen. I hope Ray doesn't mind my telling his story. Like I said, I met Ray in about 1980 when he was the faculty karate instructor at UC Riverside and he was really a pretty cool guy, as well as an excellent instructor. He loved the Shotokan katas and I recall having an enjoyable discussion with him about some of the more advanced forms.

Anyway, Nishiyama is one of the greats of the Shotokan style and this book is still one of the finest books on the subject. I will say one more thing about Nishiyama, which is that he has the most vicious-looking front kick I've ever seen. I've tried to emulate his style on this one but he's basically got the patent on it.