Product Details

• Actors: Kawasoe
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Dragon Associates Inc.
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1995
• Run Time: 45 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305434573
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,913 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Dragon Times issue #15

This is a useful and very valuable series of instructional aids that is notable for the quality of both its content and production.

From the Actor

Masao Kawasoe is a Japanese karate pioneer of the first order who has done much to develop British, and therefore European karate. Noted for the high quality of his technique and strict orthodoxy, he is considered to be one of the most stylish Shotokan instructors active in the world today, and is much respected by his students and his peers. This video series is a reflection of the man himself—very high quality, serious, low-key but dynamic—everything that this instructor has come to represent to the world of Shotokan karate. This is an instructional series and the production therefore is directed toward learning techniques and training methods. Professionally produced, the image and content quality is excellent and Kawasoe Sensei’s performance more than impressive. There is a polished quality to everything he does, not simply a mechanical reproduction of technique, but a virtuoso performance that results from constant and intense training over an extended period. This is a useful and very valuable series of instructional aids that is notable for the quality of both its content and production. Duplicated under license in the U.S. from original master video tapes, it sets a technical standard that will be difficult to surpass. If you want to see and learn from a superb Shotokan technician at his best, The Kawasoe Way is a video series that you must not miss!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good instruction, and good value for your money., July 30, 2002

By 

Tony from Michigan (Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JKA Shotokan Karate Kata The Kawasoe Way Part 1 (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I purchased all four videos in this series three years ago. I continue to use these videos and I have learned a lot from them! They contain a lot more than just kata, but the kata are the best part. Also contained on the tapes are warmup exercises, basic technique, bag work, and some sparing. When combined with the use of the "Best Karate" books (volumes 5,6,7,8), the learning of new Kata is relatively easy. The kata are demonstrated once from the front view, in half speed, then a second time at full speed from the front view and then full speed from the side view.

The best "selling point" of these videos, is the value.
Volume 1 contains two kata (and a lot of basic technique.)
Volume 2 contains four kata.
Volume 3 contains two kata.
Volume 4 contains four kata.

I wish Instructor Kawasoe would produce videos of some of the black belt katas like Sochin, Unsu, Gojushiho Sho & Kanku Sho.

In summary, if you are looking for help to learn Shotokan kata, I recommend you buy these videos.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Shotokan Series Available!, February 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: JKA Shotokan Karate Kata The Kawasoe Way Part 1 (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have tried every Shotokan video available. This is by far the best. Don't be misled by the title, there's much more here than the katas. This is a thorough, detailed instruction of the basic stances, kicks, blocks and strikes in Shotokan. Each move is shown from 2 views, first slowly, standing, then moving forward and back. The only video to adequately explain the importance of hip action for power! Then the katas are shown in great detail, in slow motion and at full speed. Excellent. Wish I'd bought this video first and saved all the money I spent on others.