Okinawa's Complete Karate System: Isshin Ryu [Paperback]

Michael Rosenbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2001

A comprehensive study of the origins and development of one today's most popular fighting systems. This book details essential Isshin Ryu fundamentals, principles, code of ethics (both in the past and in today's society), as well as its internal and external aspects.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael J. Rosenbaum was born on May 12, 1961 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He started his martial arts training at the age of five when his father instructed him in both Judo and Boxing. At the age of fifteen, he began studying Isshin Ryu Karate and by the time of his seventeenth birthday he had been introduced to the Burmese fighting art of Bando. At the age of eighteen Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (March 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886969914
• ISBN-13: 978-1886969919
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,790 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:

4.0 out of 5 stars a great historical perspective on a great martial art, April 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Okinawa's Complete Karate System: Isshin Ryu (Paperback)

Mr. Rosenbaum has certainly done his research. This book covers all aspects of the development of Isshin-Ryu Karate. He outlines how chinese martial arts, kobudo sytems and the budo systems of japan influenced okinawan karate. This book also provides detailed information on the philosphy of Isshin Ryu and its growth in the united states. If you're looking for a how to book look somewhere else, but if you want an outstanding book on the history of an effective martial art look no further.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very refreshing look at Isshinryu, February 20, 2002

By 

Thomas B. Forrest (Chicago ILL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Okinawa's Complete Karate System: Isshin Ryu (Paperback)

As an Okinawan Karate practitioner with over 20 years experience, (most of it in Isshinryu) I find this work very detailed in its history of the system. The author gives credit to many of the early Isshinryu pioneers that have not been made mention of in previous works like Don Bohan, and others who did much to futher Isshinryu but have recieved little or no written credit. The author also delves into other aspects which have previously not been covered like the hard/soft aspects of this system and the various roles of kata in training. His exploration of the political infighting that abounds in this system is bound to have some very unkind comments sent his way, but he should be given credit for casting light on this "skeleton in the closet" anyway. This is far from being a how to book, its true value is its historical approach, and insightfullness into the system. I highly recommend it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Look at Isshinryu, August 8, 2003

By 

jayslap (Cleveland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Okinawa's Complete Karate System: Isshin Ryu (Paperback)

The author takes a different route in this book in that he explores Isshninryu not so much from the standard party line of it being the greatest martial art the world has ever known. Instead he sets down before the reader a great overview of the system and its early pioneers, most of whom were Americans, and tells how and why this Karate System evolved without trying to debase any other systems of karate. He does however take a different viewpoint towards the effectivness of modern day sport based systems and is quite quick to point of the differences between Japanese Styles and Okinawan Styles of Karate.

There are very few pictures in this book except for the sketches done of famous Isshinryu practitioners however he does a wonderfull job of exploring the body mechanics of the system, its hard and soft elements as well as its internal and external elements all explained in a rather matter of fact viewpoint. Nowhere does he delve into quasi-mystical elements as is so often done in many martial arts books attributing this or that to chi, ki or anyother unseen element. Intead he presents facts to the reader and lets you determine what is real and what isn't. Also he takes the same approach in his presentation fo the system itself. He is however, and rightly so, pretty harsh on modern day ranking it's abuse and the good ole boy politics found within many styles of karate, Isshinryu included. Over all its a good book, not to deep, just to the point and factual.