Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Dragon Associates, I
• VHS Release Date: April 16, 1999
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630543428X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,376 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A good guide, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: JKA Shotokan Karate Kata Series-Vol 1 Heian 1-3 (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In case you are curious, volume 1 contains Heian 1,2,3; volume 2 contains Heian 4,5, & Tekki 1; volume 3 contains Tekki 2,3; volume 4 contains Bassai Dai; 5 contains Kanku Dai; 6 Jitte; 7 Hangetsu; 8 Enpi; and 9 Jion. I have only seen volume 1. The tape seems like it is a bad copy of a bad copy, so it is a little difficult to watch and will make you question the high price tag. It is a good guide to use outside of your karate class, but you would not want to try to learn kata from this video alone. They touch on some important points, but leave out a lot. For instance, they assume you know your stances, foot positioning, etc. They do not even mention those things, even though they are extremely important in achieving proper form. They show the kata in slow motion, which is nice, but from one angle only, which hides some moves from view. I would recommend this video if you're the type of person who needs a refresher on new katas outside of karate class. But don't expect any huge new revelations to come from watching it. This is a bargain-basement production that only goes through the motions for you. Your instructor will still need to help you fine tune your kata. Perhaps there are other kata videos out there?

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD REFERENCE VIDEO, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: JKA Shotokan Karate Kata Series-Vol 1 Heian 1-3 (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The video series, that this is the first volume of, has been floating around since the 1980s. As they were originally done in Japanese, you are at the mercy of whoever did the translation for this version. For die-hard Shotokan karateka of the JKA flavor, this tape covers kata Heian 1 to 3 as taught by Masatoshi Nakayama. Nakayama was perhaps the most dynamic of the Chief Instructors of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). My bias shows, my SHODAN (1st Degree, Black Belt) certificate is from the JKA and bears Nakayama's signature. This is about SHOTOKAN kata as it was done by THE MAN, Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei. Check out Nakayama Sensei's books here on AMAZON.COM -- I think you'll be happier with those than this version of the JKA tapes.

13 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitve JKA Shotokan kata series, May 15, 1999

By 

David Hooper ([e-mail]) (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JKA Shotokan Karate Kata Series-Vol 1 Heian 1-3 (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For anyone seriously interested in Japanese Shotokan Karate this series is a must. The kata are superbly demonstrated, with explanations and applications clear and unequivocal. Osaka Sensei, who performs the kata has won the All-Japan and World Championships more times than any other karate-ka. From the video, it's easy to see why. As an invaluable source of reference, this should be a part of every Martial Artist's library. There is now no longer any excuse for misunderstandings or variations in kata, brought about by misinterpretation. The wealth of knowledge and expertise of Japan's finest, is now available for everyone.