Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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".

This book provides an excellent history of Karate as well as some entertaining tales. We all know history and our recollection of it are selective at best. This book is an excellent blend of truth and tale. Regardless of your style, you will love reading this book from cover to cover.

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.

I highly recommend this book to all practioners of the Martial Art of Karate. Exploring not only his personal lineage but that of all the original styles of karate founded and developed on Okinawa, Shoshin Nagamine provides a great work and a first hand account of many of the mentioned Masters.
It is nice to know that historically correct information is starting to come out about the true origins of karate and of its' founders. It is also nice that a little bit of myth also surrounds those same founders. Shoshin Nagamine does well to dispell those myths.
By knowing and understanding truth from the past we grow today and prepare for the future. This reviewer is glad that Patrick McCarthy translated this work for the world to read.
Buy the book.

Books with serious data on old Karate-do Masters' biography are not common, unfortunately. This one comes right to hit this spot. Learning Karate-do is far from being only punching and kicking. We need to learn and exercise other aspects, as already said by the Masters Nagamine presents in this book: philosophical, moral and historical aspects. Knowing the history, you know better your Karate-do. In addition, this book presents some peculiar aspects of Okinawan history and tradition (dance, Tegumi wrestling, etc.) and Nagamine's view of "Karate and Zen as one", presenting Zazen theory and exercises to complete the book in great style.

This book is a great read.

Valuable information on the early pioneers of karate, and important insights into their lives. This book is well written and exciting to read. I would say it is like reading fiction, but that belittles the historical accuracy of many of the accounts.

This book written by one of Okinawas legendary Masters and translated by one of Karate's leading authors is simply a masterpiece of writing. It gives detailed accounts of Okinawas early Te-Tode-Tuite Masters many of whom have never been written about before. It's a much more indepth account than Richard Kims Weaponless Warriors, not to knock Kim, and well worth the price. Lots of pictures and lots of info.

an inspiring, touching overview of the most influential masters of karate. Okinawa was a melting pot for different influences and this is reflected in its wonderful contributions to the world of martial arts. The author speaks reverentially of those who impacted his life. He then develops philosophical insights that take the reader to the heart of martial arts and the real meanings behind the movements.

A nicely edited work that features many interesting photos, 'Tales' will surely satisfy.

Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters is exactly what the title describes, but also so much more. Sensei Nagamine is a prolific writer and historian, and he is transparent in his telling of the legendary martial artists of RyuKyu. He does not seem to hold back the stories he meticulously collected from family members and friends of those in his book.

While this book is vastly different from his more widely circulated work, "The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do" (which has detailed diagrams of all the Matsubayashi-ryu katas and movements, along with lengthy, incisive explanations), Sensei Nagamine also discusses the heart, or "kokoro", of what he considers to be the foundations of martial arts. He offers insights into how training should be pursued, physically, mentally, and spiritually, as it was passed down from those before him, and the true journey to conquering the forces within. He keeps nothing a secret, and passes his wisdom through many of these stories.

This book is not one that you want to read from beginning to end in one sitting. Many of his insights will be best served to be pondered upon and carefully considered. The chapters do move quickly, since they are quite enjoyable, at turns witty and humble. One can tell that Sensei Nagamine, if he had been born in a different era, may have become an accomplished professor or social scientist as well as a martial artist.