The Secrets of Shotokan Karate [Paperback]

Robin L. Rielly (Author)

Book Description

Series: Secrets Of... | Publication Date: April 2000

Generously illustrated with over 700 clear photographs, Secrets of Shotokan Karate offers an in-depth look at the world's most popular martial art, with strategies, techniques, and drills to instruct new students and help current practitioners excel. It is a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and theory of Shotokan Karate, interwoven with relevant philosophy and historical context. Secrets of Shotokan Karate provides the reader with expert instruction and a greater understanding and appreciation of the art.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robin L. Rielly holds a sixth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate from the Japan Karate Association and a second-degree black belt in Shin Kage-Ryu from the Kobukan School in Yokohama, Japan. He is the author of Tuttle's Complete Shotokan Karate and Japan's Complete Fighting System: Shin Kage Ryu. He is currently chairman of the Technical Committee for the East Coast Karate Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804832293
• ISBN-13: 978-0804832298
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,295,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shotokan Revealed, March 16, 2002

By 

"jvaldezcg5" (Burbank, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Shotokan Karate (Paperback)

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate by Robin L. Rielly Is a must have for those who want to get the most out Shotokan-ryu. Together with mister Rielly's Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, no more thorough grounding in Shotokan-ryu can be had. But if what you are looking for is a book for the beginner to learn the fundamentals I would suggest getting Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown's Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting, ISBN 0-8048-1668-9.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate details the methods for generating balance, stability, force, and speed. Explained are the principles of distancing, timing, hip and stance shifting, and strategy. Of special interest is the section on hip shifting for it is one of the more subtle connections Karate has with the Chinese arts of Taijiquan and Kung Fu. Separate chapters are devoted to Kumite and Kata. The chapter on Kumite includes helpful drills for mastering this aspect of the art. The chapter on Kata is especially enlightening in explaining what is meant by the "hidden meaning of Kata". Included in the Kata chapter is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Kanku Dai and its applications.

This book takes the Karate-ka from a mere practitioners of an exercise to the mastery of the techniques and principles required for the making of a martial artist.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening Martial Arts Book, May 30, 2009

By 

Charles L. Trammell (Lithonia, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Secrets of Shotokan Karate (Paperback)

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate is well-written. The photos, all in black and white are easy to understand, as are the explanations of the fighting techniques. This book is suitable for martial artists at all levels.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good supplement to training, October 29, 2001

By 

J. Yap "AT4ever" (kuala lumpur, malaysia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Secrets of Shotokan Karate (Paperback)

I have always advocated subtantial reading together with normal training and R. Rielly has done a pretty good job. His explanations are clear and to the point, supported by numerous photos for visualisation. However, these "words" only come alive if the reader has performed the moves physically. I would have preferred clearer photos with some zoom-ins to stress vital points. On the whole an excellent book for the intermediate to advanced karate student.