Katsu Jin Ken - Living Karate - The Way to Self-Mastery [Perfect Paperback]

Masayuki Shimabukuro (Author), Leonard Pellman (Editor), Barbara Andres (Editor), Elaine Cheng Anderson (Illustrator), Chuck Arnold (Illustrator), Hiromi Fukumoto (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

We are proud to introduce the new book by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi: Katsu Jin Ken: Living Karate, The Way to Self Mastery.

Shimabukuro Sensei imparts the true understanding of Karate-Do training in this amazing new book. Over 500 pages of Martial Arts Wisdom and Insight explained in a definitive guide that took over 10 years to write.

As a direct disciple of Teruo Hayashi and Kenzo Mabuni, two of the greatest Karate masters of Shito Ryu, Shimabukuro Sensei's qualifications are unsurpassed and his deep understanding of traditional Japanese Karate-Do is unparalleled.

In this book, Shimabukuro explains it all...History, Philosophy, Technique, and Spiritual Training. This is a must-have book for any Martial Artist, regardless of style or affiliation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Masayuki Shimabukuro is presently ranked 8th dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido (Iaijutsu), 8th dan Shito-ryu Karate-do, 7th dan in Shindo Muso-Ryu Jojutsu and holds the coveted title of Hanshi in both Iaido and Karate-do. Hanshi is the highest title one can achieve in the Traditional Japanese Martial Arts.

As chairman of both the Jikishin-Kai International and the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai, Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi holds a great deal of personal responsibility for passing on the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts to the modern world.

Masayuki Hidenobu Shimabukuro Hanshi was born in March 1948 in Osaka, Japan. His interest in Martial arts began as a teenager, when he studied Judo, Karate-do, Okinawan Kobudo weapons and other traditional Japanese martial arts. He achieved dan ranking in several of these arts before focusing his attention predominantly on Iaido (or Iaijutsu), the art of Samurai swordsmanship.

Shimabukuro Hanshi began his sword training in 1975 under the direct supervision of Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, 20th generation grandmaster of Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu in Osaka, Japan. Shimabukuro Sensei was appointed Kokusai Bucho (International Chairman) of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai by Miura Hanshi, and entrusted with dissemination of authentic Eishin-ryu Samurai swordsmanship worldwide outside of Japan. Since that appointment, Shimabukuro Sensei has traveled throughout the world teaching Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido, Shindo Muso Ryu jojutsu and other traditional Samurai arts.

He has established Jikishin-Kai International Training Groups and member schools in Europe, North America, South America, Central America, Asia and Australia.

Shimabukuro Sensei is the senior-most student of Miura Takeyuki Hanshi and is presently the highest ranked member of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai under Miura Sensei in the world. He is also a direct student of Kenzo Mabuni, the deceased Grandmaster of Shito-Ryu Karate do Kai.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 473 pages
• Publisher: JKI, Inc.; 1st edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097912896X
• ISBN-13: 978-0979128967
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,248,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for Martial Artists, July 6, 2010

By 

Eddie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Katsu Jin Ken - Living Karate - The Way to Self-Mastery (Perfect Paperback)

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a student of Hanshi Shimabukuro. Given this -and in order to reduce any potential bias- I've read (and re-read) the book a couple of times, and have waited a few years before writing this review. I may have waited a bit too long, since I first got the book in 2006 as I recall!

I would first like to say that anyone interested in learning a martial art should find a teacher. There's no substitute for a good teacher. Having said that, this book is a wonderful addition and supplement for people who already train under a Sensei. Not everyone will have access to a Sensei who has Hanshi Shimabukuro's knowledge, so the book becomes a great ally in an individual's development as a martial artist. I mention Martial Artist and don't focus in Karate specifically because this book can benefit practitioners of any Martial Art. I've even recommended it to friends who don't practice Martial Arts, since it also contains a wealth of knowledge applicable to self-help and the enrichment of one's life and the life of others.

I recommend looking at the Table of Contents available here at Amazon. With 18 Chapters and close to 500 pages the book is quite thorough, yet highly accessible and easy to read. At the same time, it can be quite deep and I've found myself going over a single idea or reading a single page numerous times. For example, developing Ki, the Principles of Training, Discipline, etc.

Specifically for Karate, Hanshi Shimabukuro presents a definition of Karate, its history, philosophy, spirit, and etiquette. He then goes on to present some of the basic stances, different techniques (first defensive, then offensive), and talks about the training process and the importance of Mind, Ki, and Attitude. There are also chapters on Kata, Kumite, Weapons, and Tournaments, as well as chapters with more detail regarding focus, meditation, breathing, etc.

Anyone can learn to kick, punch, and strike. A person who practices 100 kicks, punches and strikes a day will eventually become proficient after months or years of practice. This is NOT Karate. Karate goes much deeper than that. It helps build character and instill confidence, and encompasses aspects such as etiquette, honor, respect, and compassion. I've trained (on and off) for almost 30 years and have never kicked or punched anyone, yet Karate has helped me with a wide variety of challenges, from pursuing post-graduate degrees to remaining calm while being robbed at gunpoint to learning how to walk after a near-fatal motorcycle crash. In all 3 situations I recall drawing heavily upon my experience practicing Seienchin, which back then was my favorite Kata and some translations refer to it as "Calm in the storm."

I've read other Martial Arts books and in addition to Karate I used to practice Tai Chi Chuan and recently began training Qigon once again. I highly recommend this book to all Martial Artists who desire to take things to a deeper level, as well as to those who may be just starting out. I wish I had read a book like this one back when I started training.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For any serious karateka or budoka!, July 8, 2008

By 

Richard Alexander (Pottsville , PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Katsu Jin Ken - Living Karate - The Way to Self-Mastery (Perfect Paperback)

Shimabukuro Sensei's book truly offers all serious students of budo a way to understand the meaning and philosophy behind karate and for that matter any martial art.

While it shows ample photos and examples of kihon, it is the explanation of the smallest principles underlying why we do what we do in the dojo that make it such a compelling book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Katsu Jin Ken is an absolute must!, March 8, 2011

By 

Clarence Everett (Far Rockaway, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Katsu Jin Ken - Living Karate - The Way to Self-Mastery (Perfect Paperback)

This very fine book, like its predecessor, is a must for all martial artists and enthusiasts. Shimubukaru Sensei has done a great service by relating the philosophical underpinnings of the Martial Journey in addition to offering guidance in the realm of the oft visited technical realm. I highly recommend this book for ALL martial artists, athletes and weekend warriors. You will learn something of great value by reading this book. The title says it all, Katsu (revive) Jin (mankind) Ken (fist/boxing), through the practice of "Living Karate" many people will be revived and revitalized as opposed to the destructive qualities that are all too often discussed regarding the art of Karate in particular and Martial Arts in general.