Shotokan Myths [Paperback]

Kousaku Yokota (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2010

Shotokan Myths
By:
Kousaku Yokota

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yokota Sensei has extensive martial arts experience. Not only does he have over 46 years of Shotokan Karate experience, he has also studied other styles of karate such as Goju-Ryu and Kyokushinkai, as well as Judo and Ki; his Kobudo weapons experience includes Nunchaku and Sai. Yokota Sensei started studying the martial arts in 1960 at the age of 13 when he joined the Judo club at the Hyogo Prefecture Police station. Yokota Sensei then switched his martial arts training to karate in 1964 when he joined the JKA dojo in Kobe Japan. In the 70's, Yokota Sensei became a full time instructor at the ISKF Philadelphia dojo where he taught and competed. He returned to Japan and completed his instructor's training in 1983 under the late Master Jun Sugano, 9th dan, JKA Vice Chairman. Yokota Sensei was the champion of Hyogo Prefecture Championship in 1981 and 1982, and he represented Hyogo prefecture at the JKA All National Championship in Tokyo during those years. Yokota Sensei attained all his dan ranks up to Go-dan from JKA. After switching to JKS, the late Master Tetsuhiko Asai granted him Roku-dan. Sensei Yokota received his Nana-dan and Hachi-dan from WJKA (World Japan Karate Association). The WUKO (World Unite Karate Organization) also recently granted him Hachi-dan. He holds the positions of Technical Director and Shihankai member at WJKA. He is the Chief Instructor at Byakkokan Dojo in San Jose California and his passion is to propagate Asai-ryu Shotokan karate-do.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris, Corp. (December 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1456807080
• ISBN-13: 978-1456807085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.4 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Yokota Sensei has extensive martial arts experience. Not only does he have over 40 years of Shotokan Karate experience, he has also studied other styles of Karate such as Goju-Ryu and Kyokushinkai, Judo and Ki. He has experience with weapons as well, and has studied the ways of Nunchaku and Sai to deepen and supplement his knowledge and experience in Karate-do.

Yokota Sensei started his martial arts training in 1960 when he was just 13 years old. He began his training in Judo by taking lessons at the Hyogo Prefecture Police station. At this Judo dojo, there was a student who also practiced Karate - he was practicing Judo to further improve his fighting skills. This practitioner impressed Yokota Sensei so much that even though he had been training in Judo for two years, Yokota Sensei switched his martial arts training to Karate. He joined the JKA affiliated Kobe YMCA Karate Club.
In 1973, he moved to Philadelphia, PA and became a full time instructor at the ISKF headquarters as well as a personal assistant to Master Okazaki, 9th dan, ISKF Chairman.

Yokota Sensei was one of the top competitors in the East Coast Regional tournaments in the 1970's. He returned to his hometown Kobe in 1981 to complete his instructor's training under the late Master Sugano, 9th dan, JKA Vice Chairman. As soon as he returned to Japan, he entered the Prefecture tournament and became the champion that year, and again in the following year. He also represented his prefecture in the JKA All National Championship in Tokyo in 1981 and 1982.

Yokota Sensei returned to Tokyo in 1997 and trained in Ki under Master Nishino, Grand Master of Nishinoryu Kokyuho for two and a half years. Currently, he is Chief Instructor at Byakkokan Dojo in San Jose California. He also holds positions at WJKA as Technical Director and Shihankai member. He holds a rank of 8th dan.

Yokota sensei has published several books; Shotokan Myths, Kata Kyohon Junro and Kata Kyohon Joko. His articles have been published in the major martial arts magazines including Shotokan Karate Magazine, Masters, Shotokanway and Classical Fighting Arts.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended December 18, 2010

By Charliedw

Format:Paperback

As soon as I knew Shihan Yokota had written a book, I wanted to get it. I had previously seen his articles in Shotokan Karate Magazine and knew that he was a man of great insight and honesty. Much of what we are taught in the Karate world defies logic, yet has been passed down to us as "lore" by our Japanese masters. However, Shihan Yokota is sincere in wanting to expose the truth. This book explains how things have been change from their original meanings for social or political reasons; or just to make judging competitions more easy. Yet these changes of convenience are then passed on as having always been the way!
Shihan Yokota also exposes how many things are portrayed as being secret knowledge or mysterious, when in his view, even many senior Japanese instructors either just don't know, or can't be bothered to tell us.
Well the truths are exposed in this book. With the rise of "reality based" martial arts and MMA, Shihan Yokota is concerned that if the art of Shotokan which he is so passionate about is not taught properly and honestly it will become obsolete. This book is aimed at Westerners to tell us what many other Japanese masters can't or won't.
This is a must read book for anybody interested in truly understanding Karate.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book that all serious shotokan karate students and instructors should read. February 5, 2011

By Joseph J. Truncale VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally, a book by a Japanese karate expert who had the courage to expose the flaws in thinking when it comes to Shotokan karate. May be it is just a cultural or spiritual factor, but few karate masters will challenge the traditional myths when it comes to karate. However, Kousaku Yokota, Sensei at least treads lightly (too lightly as far as I am concerned, on some of the sacred cows of Shotokan karate.

This excellent book questions numerous dogmas and will make all serious karate practitioners think a little more deeply about the myths and misconceptions of karate. The thirteen chapters cover the basic concepts of kime, Hikite, which is the opposite hand pulling back when punching etc, the snap back in mae geri, using the Makiwara, silent Kiai, JKA Bunkai, the myth of kata beginning and ending with blocks, the way early JKA created the ancient katas so they all would end at the original starting point, The Tekki kata (two parts), Hangetsu kata, Bujutsu or Budo and the contradiction in "Karate ni sente nashi" and "Sente hissho."

Though I agree with the vast majority of material presented in this volume, I still see that the subject of kata, which the author deals with too briefly in this book, is filled with mystical and unscientific theories concerning the "bunkai" myths. It may be because the author was born and raised in a culture which worships martial art katas as the way to enlightenment. It is not that I hate kata, because I practice about thirty karate kata every single day, plus ten Kenjutsu katas. It is just that I have a completely different opinion as to why the ancient masters designed the katas. The view that there are secret and hidden meanings and moves in kata is pure mystical speculation....

In conclusion, this is a book for all serious Shotokan karate students and instructors. I hope more masters will begin to question the many dogmas in our beloved art.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Manual, Combat Karate for the street) Read more ›

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars karateka October 22, 2011

By karateka

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very interesting book, in which several aspects of shotokan karate are discussed and called into question by a respectable and experienced shotokan master. I very much enjoyed the insightful discussion of (amongst others) the use of kiai, use of makiwara and of yoko geri and mawashi geri. The author shows that all of these were not common practice in the original okinawan karate of the old masters. He doesn't say they may not have merits, but he does make several critical remarks that are worth thinking about. His discussion of the presentation of kata bunkai by the JKA in a well-known video series is very critical but rightly so. Thought provoking!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who wants to elevate his karate skills and spirit b January 13, 2011

By J. Soriano

Format:Paperback

Yokota Sensei shares some of the most controversial aspects of shotokan karate. His perspective provide a fresh approach to various concepts. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned karateka, the wealth of Yokota Sensei 's knowledge is tremendous and will change your perception on karate even during your own training. This book has a real impact on your daily training and in the karate perspective you might have had until then. A MUST HAVE.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Shotokan Myths April 15, 2011

By William W. Bubb

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Good book, which was an interesting read!

Some of Sensei's thoughts have been around in one form or another, but reguardless I enjoyed getting his take on various matters. Nice book!

3.0 out of 5 stars Make it 3.5 stars February 5, 2013

By MindNinja

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Its above average for a martial arts book. Goes a bit too much into details that aren't need, and history that I found useless to the core meaning of the book. Has some good nuggets in it that took me years to figure out myself. Good to finally have someone with stature to acknowledge many of the lies and misrepresentations in Shotokan specifically but the martial arts in general. I have studied martial arts for 42 years and this book should be a foundation "knowledge" in every dojo.

For those potential buyers, this book is esoteric and not necessarily practical. No real skills in it, but explanations of skills and teachings that have become myths.

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't even think twice. Buy it! January 14, 2013

By samcapos

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Traditional martial arts as karate are covered with myths and misconceptions, and it is just too hard to find a dojo where many of these are not sustained. Yokota sensei's articles are gathered in this book to cover some truths that most karate practitioners wouldn't learn in classes in a regular dojo. Even for the part when there's mere opinion of Yokota sensei, his thoughts are very valuable. Shotokan Myths won't cover, anyway, all the issues that have been around Shotokan (or karate in general), and there's still a lot to dig into, but I fully recommend this book, and I believe it can contribute to the enlightenment of most martial artists.
I bought the Kindle edition and it is a great version. For the price currently offered you don't have to think twice about it.