My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way [Paperback]

Kancho Joko Ninomiya (Author), Ed Zorensky (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2000

Follow the path of budo—the warrior’s code of conduct—as it unfolds in the life of karate master Kancho Joko Ninomiya. Grandmaster of Enshin Karate and creator of the Sabaki Challenge, Kancho Ninomiya reveals how the spirit of feudal Japanese warriors inspired him as a boy and continues to shape his life as a man. My Journey in Karate describes the rigors of Ninomiya’s early training in judo before a chance meeting introduced him to an innovative karate sensei who changed his life. In addition to Kancho Ninomiya’s own story, My Journey in Karate includes an extended section of Ninomiya’s reflections on training, competition, strategy, and the lessons of karate both in and out of the dojo.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ninomiya makes an intriguing champion…He is a combination of intense fighting spirit and the tranquility of an unreverberating lake."
—Karate-Do Magazine

"Ninomiya’s dedication to the martial arts is second to none. He truly understands and lives the budo spirit.”
—Kancho Gaku Homma, Aikido for Life

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (September 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583940170
• ISBN-13: 978-1583940174
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oss! A Journey in Karate, April 26, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way (Paperback)

Rarely in the martial arts world are biographies rich with insight about both the individual and the training. Normally, -except a couple bio accounts of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris' auto-bio account- the books are very dry and not very telling. Sometimes it is the writing and often it is because the reader is never really let under the skin of the martial artist. In this book - that has changed.

Ninomiya graciously allows the reader to travel in his mind and spirit as he grows from an unfocused (though hardworking)martial artist and somewhat immature teen into a higly skilled and mature warrior.

The reader travels and sees when Ninomiya, through several events and a couple of key mentors, understands himself and his journey through karate. Unlike most auto-biographical accounts, I never felt Ninomiya was boasting about his success. Instead, he shows where his failures and determined manner leads to success beyond winning a "trophy."

An excellent book. I learned much from this extra-ordinary man.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good martial arts book is as elusive as a good martial art, May 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way (Paperback)

Kancho Ninomiya is not only a world class champion, he writes with a certain gift; one that captures the essence of a lesson one could only get from training with him... and make no mistake, this may make for an inspiring read but reading it without training in any martial art is as hollow as reading Shakespeare and never seeing it performed... I began studying karate very seriously as an adult under Sensei Kishi, one of Kancho Ninomiya's teachers and best friends, as well as a collaborator on this book... this text captures the true spirit of martial arts training, something that is very difficult by nature of the difference between the written word and the life of martial arts training. Osu.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended for all serious martial artists, June 19, 2003

By 

Haseeb - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Journey in Karate: The Sabaki Way (Paperback)

Anyone who has been a serious martial artist will throughly enjoy reading the inspiring story of Grand Master of Enshin Karate Joko Ninomiya. Anyone who has been serious about the martial arts for a significant amount of time can relate to Ninomiya's life story.

Before beginning his study of kyokushin karate at the age of 15, Ninomiya practiced judo. After making the transition to karate, Ninomiya never turned back and had the dream of becoming a karate champion. The book explains how he would go to different karate schools in Japan and challenge the top students to improve his skills. He challenged different schools in a dignified way, he never used bully tactics. After hearing about the all-Japan karate tournement, Ninomiya practiced diligently for years until he was able to win first place. In the book, he talks about his training and preparation, his fights and the people who helped him become better as a martial artist and as a person.

I like the way Ninomiya emphasizes that karate is not about winning tournaments and beating people up, it's about confronting yourself and pushing beyond what you are today. Master Ninomiya admits that he did not realize the true meaning of karate until after he had accomplished one of his goals. Sometimes that's what it takes because after we win something or accomplish something big, we often ask ourselves "now what?" and become complacent. We should fight against this complacency because it will only make things harder in the long run.

Towards the end of the book, Ninomiya gives his opinion of "no holds barred" fighting contests. I agree with Ninomiya that "no holds barred" contests appeal to a morbid curiosity. People often watch these types of contests and are happy to see someone lying flat on their back at the end of a match or seriously hurt in some way. Ninomiya founded The Sabaki Challenge which is a real karate tournament, but he has a point system that emphasizes technique to minimize injuries.