Customer Reviews

Notes on Training

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tsutomu Ohshima has the distinction of being one of the few men still living who studied under Shotokan Karate founder Gichen Funakoshi At Waseda University. This volume is a collection of Ohshima Sensei's insights and advice, originally published in the _Shotokan Karate of America_ newsletter between 1965 and 1995.

This is definately a book for the academic minded who are seeking the "why's" of Karate and like details. Please be aware that there are no photo-instruction sequences in this book, and the reader is assumed to have some familiarity with Japanese terminology (there is a glossary, see page 245). In other words, this book doesn't pretend to teach you karate, it has been published for people who are already familiar with at least the fundamentals of the art.

Ohshima offers pointers, and spices much of his advice with personal recollections from his days with Funakoshi Sensei. The tone of the book is kindly and the instruction has a personal feel to it. At no time did I find Ohshima coming across as arrogant or unduly harsh. He goes out of his way to give us the "why" of each technique, justifying little movements in kata which some of us may have thought useless or obsolete. Ohshima Sensei breaks the volume down into five parts. In the first section, "Kata" (Forms), 17 subchapters discuss the fine points of everything from Taikyoku, the 3 Tekki and 5 Heian, to Bassai, Kwanku, Hangetsu, Jutte, Empi, Gankaku, Jion, and even a favorite form of Gichen Funakoshi's son Gigo Funakoshi, Ten-no-Kata ("Heaven's Form", this chapter is very interesting!). The second section, "Kihon" (Basics), Ohshima details specific stances and techniques as well as how to practice, tactics such as Kime (focus) Sabaki (Evading), Ukemi (Falling), Ashibarai (Sweeping), and so on. A total of 41 subchapters are included in this section.

In section three, "Kumite" (Sparring), Ohshima discusses Ten no Kata Ura (Heaven's Form Application), Sanbon Kumite (Three-technique sparring), Kihon Ippon Kumite (One technique sparring), Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring), Self Defense, Torite (Escaping), Irimi (Getting into the opponent), and other subjects, for a total of 11 subchapters. The fourth section, "Practice" discusses the meaning and reason behind Rei (bowing), Healthy Practice, Special Training, Mental Blocks, Ma (Distance and Timing), Speed and Rythm, Grading (reccomendations, requirements for testing), Fasting, and more for a total of 18 subchapters. The last section, "Karate-do" includes three subchapters, "Why We Practice", "Our Goal for the Twenty-First Century", and the "Afterword".

If you're looking for a pictoral technical guide to kata or technique, or would like to know about the history of Shotokan, this probably isn't the book for you--try Funakoshi's "Karate-Do Kyohan" or any of the books by Randall Hassell. I recommend this volume for serious students of Shotokan karate or Shotokan derivatives and relatives which practice the same techniques and kata, such as Tang Soo Do, Cerio Kenpo, Wado Ryu, etc. Tsutomu Ohshima's "Notes on Training" makes a superb supplement to "Karate-Do Kyohan".

Shihan Ohshima's book "Notes On Training" is destined to become one of the all time classic works on the martial art of Shotokan Karate-do. In my 40 years of practicing and instructing traditional Shotokan Karate-do, aside from the "Master Text" ( "Karate-do Kyohan" ), I don't believe I have ever read a more important and valuable volume on this classical Japanese/Okinawan martial art. I would urge all Shotokan karate-ka ( practitioners ) to read and re-read this book. My one caveat would be that I believe this book will hold more meaning for those karate-ka that have reached the intermediate ( Yonkyu, Sankyu, Nikyu, etc. ) and advanced stages of training as opposed to a rank beginner. Also, allow me to make clear the point that it maters not what branch, organization, or faction of the Shotokan community the karate-ka is associated with, Master Ohsima's book holds much wisdom for all. The sections on Kata and Kihon are superb. The break down of the biomechanics of the various techniques are alone worth the price of the volume. But, there is so very much more. Concepts such as Sen-No-Sen and Go-No-Sen which are usually passed over in other such books are dealt with in detail here. Profound, intelligent, and illuminating are a few of the well chosen words I would use to describe this book. We are all indeed fortunate to have a Master Instructor such as Tsutomu Ohshima willing to generously share so much with us.

George A. Wilkie Chairman American Shotokan Karate Society

The title does not do it justice unless you know Mr. Ohshima, then you'll understand how important it is for a martial artist to have his notes on training. Meanings of katas and techniques are explained and directions on applications are given. If you are training in shotokan and wondering about anything, you open this book and there is a very good chance you'll find it in there.

The prior reviewers have accurately reviewed the details. Useful for practitioners at the brown belt level onward, for any japanese karate style that uses derivations of Shotokan Kata or technique. Not simple to understand. Needs re-reading and reflection through practice. Many beneficial insights for other practitioners of any japanese [but not necessarily Okinawan] karate style. Possibly the only book of its kind in english. I'm glad I bought mine through SKA when it first came out. The used price being asked shows you how well it is respected and the level of continuing demand for it, even though out of print. Were any of the other living masters of a karate style to write something like this, karate would be better for it, and all styles would benefit.

Master Oshima Sensei starts off with his "Notes on Training" where the late Grand Master Funakoshi Sensei finishes with his now infamous "Karate-do Kyohan".

Similar in size to the Karate-do Kyohan and with only 252 pages, it's not a very large book. Although the translation is a little awkward, it's written clearly and easily enough to work though quite quickly. However, students should note that it is a book that needs to be read a few times during different stages of ones training. Then the import of what Oshima Sensei is teaching will sink in.

I'm so happy that I managed to obtain a copy and I hope that it is reprinted soon, for as far as I'm concerned (in my humble opinion) it is almost equal in value to the lessons taught in the Karate-do Kyohan.

There are no pictures, except for a few kanji at the beginning of the book and may not excite many students, except the serious or senior karate-ka. But it really is worth it's weight in gold and I'm glad I persisted in hunting down my own copy.

Please check the glowing reviews on Amazon.com as well. You won't find one negative remark.

The book goes into great and detailed depth on Kata, Kihon and kumite. You will learn and study things here that are not covered in any other book covering Shotokan karate. Take a moment to look at the pictures I have submitted above showing the contents index and front and back flaps to give you a flavour of it's content.

Oshima Sensei's karate experience (over 50 years) is evident right from the start of the book. He was one of Gichin Funakoshi's last direct students and also studied under and alongside such greats as Master Egami.