Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters (Tuttle Martial Arts) [Hardcover]

Shoshin Nagamine (Author), Patrick McCarthy (Translator)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 169 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804820899
• ISBN-13: 978-0804820899
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The lives of ten of Okinawa's greatest karate masters. May 31, 1998

By Charles C. Goodin ([e-mail])

Format:Hardcover

Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine's Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters was published in Japanese a few years ago. The English translation, by Patrick McCarthy, recounts the lives and histories of ten of Okinawa's greatest masters. Nagamine Sensei spent a lifetime researching these masters and either training with them or interviewing their families and students. Tode Sakugawa, Sokon Matsumura, Kosaku Matsumora, Anko Itosu, Gichin Funakoshi, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Kanryo Higaonna and Ankichi Arakaki, are just a few of the luminaries profiled in the book.

History buffs will also appreciate the numerous photographs and illustrations from Nagamine Sensei's personal collection.

This book crosses over all karate styles. Whether you are a student of Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu or Shotokan, there is so much here for you. And for students of Matsubayashi-Ryu, the style founded by Nagamine Sensei in 1947, this book is must reading.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 20!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Personal Glimpse Inside Okinawan Karate's Complexities October 28, 2001

By C. J. Hardman

Format:Hardcover

I am among those who are very pleased to see so many works by Okinawan martial artists become available in the English language. In "Tales of Okinawa's Great Karate Masters", translated by Patrick McCarthy, Shoshin Nagamine offers an honest look at the roots of the art he practiced and taught for over 50 years. This is not a 'how-to' karate book, there are no technical pictures although there are some decent historical pictures of people and documents, and some illustrative ones of the author, Nagamine.

If you have Nagamine's first book, translated into English as "The Essence of Okinawan Karate" and focusing mainly upon the 17 kata of Matsubayashi Ryu Shorin Ryu Karate (an Itosu-ha lineage), this second work of his provides the literary heart of the art. It does not dwell merely on the roots of Nagamine's style, but includes fascinating information on a myriad of styles, teachers, Okinawan history, and karate folklore. There is plenty of new information: this is not simply a 're-do' of old data. One chapter for instance, focuses on Okinawa's Native art, a form of wrestling called "Tegumi". Book includes endnotes, and an Appendixed article by Nagamine called "Okinawan Karate and World Peace".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars History of Okinawan Te Master's June 17, 2000

By M. A. Ramos VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was written by the late Grandmaster Nagimine. Founder of Matsubayashi Ryu. The style I practice. This books is for all martial artist whoes karate originate from the Ryukyu Islands. It is a history of great Karate Master's of the past. Book filled with tales and pictures that should be liked by student and historian alike. As usual, McCarthy does a good job translating for us westerners. A must read for all martial artist.