Customer Reviews

Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Kancho Joko Ninomiya (founder of Sabaki Method-Eshin Karate) and Ed Zorensky have produced an outstanding text in martial arts sparring and fighting strategies.

Though this book quickly goes over basic punches and kicks, it is not a primer on the subject. These techniques are more of an introduction to prepare the practitioner for the rest of the book. It is filled with much information on distancing, takedowns and follow-ups, offensive and defensive strategies.

The still photos give you a visual assessment of what is being discussed and drills you can use to train with. There is a short section on self-defense training and kata that is somewhat out of place; However, this book is so good compared to most martial arts instruction books, that these sections are easily overlooked. The authors probably should devote another book to those topics, especially self-defense.

A highly regarded text that every karateka who is serious about either sparring or "real" fighting should own. The only other book comparable to this on the subject of sparring is "American Freestyle Karate" by Dan Anderson.

Joko Ninomiya (Kancho is a title, not a name) was a champion of kyokushinkai full contact karate before breaking away to found his own style -enshin karate (although he spent some time in ashihara karate inbetween). This book is of great use for any practicioner of a kyokushin derrived style (Kyokushin, enshin, ashihara, seidokaikan, seido juku, world oyama etc etc). Practicioners of other styles may find it of great interest awell.

This book is awesome! It is one of the few books to focus on the fighting aspect of full contact, knockdown style karate (where most only focus on formal technique and kata). While many of the techniques and combinations shown are not allowed in knockdown rules (even in Ninomiya's own organisation and their rule variation), what matters is the movement pattern and tactic that is taught.

This is a introduction to jissen kumite (full contact karate fighting) as it is supposed to be.

If I must find something to complain about, it is that some of the photos are to small. But that is the price to pay for cramming so much good stuff into the book.

This book is one of the best you can find out there on Knockdown Full-Contact Karate. Very complete and with good explanations. The only lack you can find is some of the photos are a bit too small.
Really good.

This is an exceptional Karate book. It presents basic striking, throwing and training, breaking and self-defense techniques. It then goes one step further and presents a mental framework: the "Sabaki Method". The emphasis on bio-mechainics, patterns of movement and training methods are refreshing and unusual. In presenting the "Blind Spot Position", the author gives a rational unified way to develop combat skill, without relying on mindless repetition of drills or forms. In the past, I've been disappointed with some karate books. Though well meaning, most seemed a merely a presentation of techniques with no easy way to tie it together.

This is mainly a reference material, as Books and DVDs do not make good primary instructional material for martial arts, so plan on attending a seminar or finding a good local school to get the most from this book.

This 1998 paperback version is filled with techniques, principles explaining WHY the presented techniques work, and strategy. Content is well organized; from the basics to more advanced techniques and topics. As with any Martial Art "how-to" book, it is extremely difficult to get into the intricate details of describing motion on paper without confounding the key elements.
The black and white sequential photos allow you to "scan" the sequences from left to right, and with some diligent study, begin to visualize the complete technique. The authors also add
a "second angle";(overhead) sketches which are unique and very helpful. Straight line and angular arrows provide yet another way to clarify the motions and positions which make up the techniques. The contrast on the photos and sketches are very good - Mr. Ninomiya and his Uke are clearly distinguished from one another. This book deserves serious praise for it's technical presentation. To get more, you'd need a video or DVD(available?).
The predominant composition of the book involves Kumite, but there are some basic solo exercises and techniques covered in detail.
This will be a valued addition to my collection, but not one which will collect dust!

Most of the martial arts books in print are tired reproductions of each other. This is something totally different! The only other books like it (in English, that I know of) are out of print (Fighting Karate & More Fighting Karate by Ashihara). Based upon what has proven to be effective in bare-knuckle full-contact karate competion, this book is not theoretical. There is a wealth of information that would take years to digest. The companion video, Sabaki Method II is the #1 selling instructional martial arts video in Japan. True fighting karate at its best!

This is a great book that should have been made years ago. Kancho shows his style of true fighting Karate with a tremendous amount of high quality photos and some inspiring words. This book shows why Kancho Ninomiya won the All Japan Championship.