Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Sabaki means staying open to the world at large and responding to others in a way that blends energies in new directions. Whether it is a question of repelling an attack or building relationships, the combined energy that comes from sabaki is an effort of cooperation, openness, and respect. Whether you are training for health, competition, or self-defense, The Sabaki Method can show you how to turn defense into offense, anticipate attacks, condition the body, and focus the mind. Kancho Ninomiya takes the mystery out of karate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kancho Ninomiya’s Sabaki Method is an exciting new approach to karate that anyone can do. I am delighted to see it now in book form for the very first time. Ninomiya’s dedication to the martial arts is second to none. He truly understands and lives the budo spirit.
-Kancho Gakku Homma, Aikido for Life

About the Author

Kancho Ninomiya was the 1978 All-Japan Champion and Grandmaster of Enshin Karate, and the creator of Sabaki.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883319749
• ISBN-13: 978-1883319748
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed to improve how you fight using your Karate., January 12, 2005

By 

Manuel E. Adrogue (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle (Paperback)

This is the missing link between dojo sparring and Bruce Lee's insurmountable Tao of Jeet Kune Do. To all black-belt level Karate/Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do students, this book is a "must have". Master Ninomiya goes beyond the classical description of punches, blocks and kicks found in common books, and offers a conceptual framework for the application of such techniques in combat. While Bruce Lee may have tempted many to quit their traditional styles regarding them as a classical mess, Ninomiya tells you your karate need not be a mess if you train hard and understand your goal and your means. His technical theory is simple and conceptually unquestionable: position yourself in the "blind spot" of your opponent, and terminate him. However, it demands lots of training to be carried out flawlessly under the stress of actual combat. Ninomiya comes from the famed Kyokushin tradition, which combines a traditional mindset, the strongest of training ethics, and a creative approach to fighting. Kyokushin and its derivatives (as Ninomiya's Enshin Karate) adopted a set of rules forbidding punches to the face, but allowing full contact to the body with the fists, feet and knees, as well as full contact kicks to the legs and face. This lead to an agile and versatile kicking style, plenty of spinning motions, axe kicks and other techniques (usually identified with Korean styles), within a very powerful and realistic fighting scenario. The technical examples found in the book are based on the assumption of power and intention behind the attacks and responses (so although some concepts may be useful, they may not be entirely carried to "tag" point sparring). That being said, the teachings of this book will work both for sport and for self defense. In other words, this book may help to make training in the dojang/dojo more in tune with the requirements of street survival using the same punches, strikes and kicks that are basic to Karate/Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do. After hearing during the last decade that the only way to deal with a street situation is to know pressure points or jujitsu, at last we see a true master putting things back into place and saying "hey, why don't you knock him down with punch/kick/takedown?" Ninomiya and co-author Zorensky describe basics, motion patterns, counter-attacks, control/grab motions, and discuss all major topics within training, with plenty of photographs and very clear drawings to ensure adecuate footwork. So not only the content is valuable from a martial art perspective, but the layout and edition are very good. In order to grasp a deeper understanding of the book, I also recommend to read Ninomiya's autobiography, very inspirational indeed.
Manuel Adrogué . TaeKwon-Do 5th Dan.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent text for any serious karateka, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle (Paperback)

As Kancho Ninomiya developed his style from Ashihara Karate (which in turn derived from Mas Oyama's "Kyokushin" style of Karate), I believe this *excellent* text should be of interest to anyone studying Kyokushin-derived styles of Karate.

This book is essentially THE textbook for anyone studying Enshin Karate, and for any karateka who believes that rational, scientific principles will develop better technique. Obviously, nothing beats practice and more practice, but this book provides valuable insights on what students should focus on AS they practice.

Without resorting to "easy" tricks or the usual platitudes, this book presents a studies "breakdown" of principles karateka should study in order to make their karate _effective_. (Specifically, the book has invaluable sections on the importance of sizing up distance, timing, and getting to the "outside" of the opponent's direction of attack, so as to take advantage of their "blind spot".)

Though the book is heavily illustrated (many sequential photos are included to illustrate Enshin's principles), the text included is just as useful. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to improve their karate technique and strategy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sabaki method, December 12, 1999

By 

william kordash (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle (Paperback)

This book takes a look at one of the most practical and effective karate styles known; enshin. A must for any martial artist. Hundreds of action photos from all angles take the reader through step by step movements.