Customer Reviews

The Shotokan Karate Handbook: Beginner to Black Belt (New Edition)

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

 

 

Well not everyone will know that Sahota used to be a member of TASK but later broke away. He is featured in John van Weenen's (Chief Instructor to TASK) own handbook and after looking at the front cover and looking through it you can see that Sahota has probably used this book for ideas as he is featured in it and may have used it to learn from. The layout is incrediably similar. While I'm not claiming that there have been any copyright infringements, I feel that if you want to know where Sahota probably got the idea for this book then see "The Beginners Guide To Shotokan Karate Beginner To Black Belt" by John van Weenen. Just want to set the record straight for readers-not to start a fight.

I began learning Shotokan in 1997, and got this book around 1999, thinking it'd help me improve on techniques. All in all, the only reason you should get this book is because it lays out a couple of katas step by step with pictures. That's essentially what makes up Beginner to Black Belt. There's a small section going over the basic moves, and a big section at the end with all the different ranks, what you'll want/need to know at what rank, and tons of pictures of Sahota with his students and trophies. A kind of self-congratulatory section if you will.

While the chapters with each kata are done fairly well, it was hard to see exactly what was being done in certain pictures. Yes, it's pretty obvious with a lot of things, like stance changes and different strikes being thrown, but anyone who's done a kata knows that to do one properly, precise footwork is needed. Pivoting a foot, having your foot in an exact position, etc. You don't see a lot of it at times because the pictures are a bit small, and when Sahota's facing the camera, his body and gi pants can cover what's being done. There could also be better descriptions instead of just the name of the move and the directional arrows to show what direction he's going in. It just feels rushed, and I don't think any beginners would be able to get much out of it. If you've already learned the kata, and forget a few steps, then this would be a decent reference book.

What really bugs me is the page showing different strikes, but it's just a bunch of pictures with the hands in different attacks, with no real description of them. If you are versed in various martial arts, a lot of them will be familiar, especially for those who know Crane, but without any words to tell you what they are or how they're used, there's no point in including these. The descriptions of some Shotokan attacks are pretty bad too, the Reverse Punch in particular. Sahota tells you that it's basically the strongest punch there is, but barely tells you how to do it right. To a beginner, it may as well be your standard Straight Punch. And like I said earlier, the last section with Sahota pretty much showing off his accomplishments made the guy seem too full of himself, and like your standard money martial artist. Look at all of what I've done! See these trophies?! See all my belts?! That means that I know what I'm talking about, and that this book is good by default! I don't think so. I mean, just flipping through the pages and seeing that the guy is constantly kicking way too high should say something. Maybe he's trying to show off how high he can kick too? Finally, I forgot to mention that there's a brief section on attacks and counters. It follows the standard drills of "do this when they do this", but the majority of the counterattacks used as examples are the same. Don't expect any of this to be useful in a real world situation, as it's here for tradition's sake.

I didn't give it one star because like I said, it can be an ok reference book to those a little rusty with some katas. Otherwise, I doubt this book will be very useful to anyone else. It's pretty funny to look at John van Weenen's book, another Beginner to Black Belt book, and see how similar they are, although his is worth checking out. If you can get this one for 4/5 the standard price, then go for it. Otherwise, save your money and keep practicing.

I often recommend this book and it's companion, THE ADVANCED SHOTOKAN KARATE HANDBOOK, to my students. It is easy to follow, clearly written, and the position arrows under the pictures of kata moves really helps when you're learning a new kata. I tell my students that they should have several kata books as references because the more resources you have, the better you will learn kata and the better and more detailed your kata will be. Both books are important additions to the Shotokan karateka's library.

This book is by far the easiest shotokan karate book that I have used. Each section is easy to follow with well illustrated diagrams and photographs. It is easy to train away from the dojo using this book as it has a simple step by step approach, especially the kata section, No excuses for not continuing your training..even on holiday. Great for beginners and advanced karateka alike, this book goes with me wherever I travel.

This is an excellent book that covers virtually all the basics and Kata you will need to go from beginner to black belt. Like previous reviewers have said though, don't buy this thinking you can teach yourself Karate. You need to go to classes as well.

I bought this as a complete beginner (at the age of 45) in 2005. The Kata photographs are good but some sometimes difficult to follow (even with directional arrows) because when Sahota is facing you and steps forward to punch with his right-hand you tend to want to punch with your left hand.

The other problem is that whilst the number of Kata covered is very comprehensive, at neither of the two clubs I've belonged to have the Katas been exactly the same as in this book. My advice would to any beginner would be to join a club first, and then get your Sensei to advise whether a book like this is worth purchasing.

I am interested in martial arts only because my wife has taken up the art and I was looking for a karate book, and came across this one. It is very easy to follow, excellent photographs and descriptions, Mr. Sahota makes it look easy, which is always a good sign of someone who has taken time to learn his art. An excellent book to have from the novice to the student who has been training for several years infact a lot has been packed into this edition.
Excellent value.

I think this book is amazing. Being a karate student myself i can understand very easily what i am doing whilst refering to the book. The book it self is broken down very well and is very easy to understand. Using this book i now have the option of learning karate not just in the dojo but in the presence of my home. The author GURSHARAN SAHOTA has explained this book in great detail and has shown great character in what he does.

Well done

I may be a little biased as I am privilaged to be instructed by Sensei Sahota. Having said this I can say that this book sets out techniques and practices in an easy to follow manner. I highly recommend it to all karate-ka