Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu [Paperback]

Mark Edward Cody (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2007

Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu is the third book by master martial arts instructor, Mark Edward Cody. This volume explores the origins, techniques and kata of one of Japan's most traditional martial arts. This is the first book to examine all seventeen kata of the system and is one of the few existing texts written by a native English speaker. Unlike other works on the subject, kata movement is explained in precise detail. The reader is given clear, systematic instruction in the direction, execution and technique of kata movement. Cody chronicles the traditions of Wado Ryu in light of the necessity for innovation and combat effectiveness in the propagation and evolution of ancient fighting systems. Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu embodies the ancient martial principle to "Absorb that which is useful". Hironori Ohtsuka created the Wado system by blending the best aspects of Shotokan Karate with Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu. Following the Founder's example, Cody draws upon his knowledge of Filipino Combat Systems and other arts in his analysis of this Traditional Japanese Fighting Art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434319881
• ISBN-13: 978-1434319883
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,446,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on the Subject!, January 3, 2008

By 

Bushido Practitioner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu (Paperback)

No other book written on the Wado Ryu System compares to this work. Very few books have been written on the system, and those that have are not very well done. To be fair to the other writers on this subject, most were not professional writers as Cody is, or for that matter, even native English speakers.

Cody's book is HUGE compared to other texts. Its 388 pages are laid out in a very space-economical manner. Otsuka and Ogami's books waste a lot of space and their number of pages do not accurately convey how little information is comparatively in them. Both of those books are great and every Wado student needs to read them, but they just don't go into the detail that Cody does.

All the other books on this karate system give one or two sentence explanations of kata moves, whereas Sensei Cody generally writes a paragraph or more, carefully noting compass-point direction of movement, precise description of technique and Japanese terminology.

This book includes the most in-depth history of the system I have ever seen recorded and discusses the philosophy of "The Way of Peace" and of the martial arts in general as only a philosopher like Cody can.

The book includes many Jujutsu techniques and a few "flow drills" to teach sensitivity (something the system lacks good training techniques for). These drills come from Cody's exposure to Filipino Martial Arts.

The book's shortcomings (as some will see them) are the use of stances that are higher than most Wado teachers use. Cody notes that his exposure to jujutsu and weapon systems caused him to elevate kata stance. He explains that he often teaches the kata with much deeper stances to new students. I agree with his reasoning, but I think most Wado students would have liked to see the illustrations of the deeper (shotokan influenced) stances that they are accustomed to.

The book does not cover any of the two-man forms of the Wado System, but given the size of the book, their inclusion would have probably made the book too big and too expensive to purchase. I hope Cody covers these forms in a later book.

This book is essential to the library of anyone who wants to study the history, philosophy and Kata of the Wado Ryu system.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most complete Wado book available, January 9, 2008

By 

C. Neal (Winter Haven, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu (Hardcover)

There are very few books on the Wado Ryu system available and there is simply no other Wado Ryu book available that has the information that this book has. Cody explains each form with great detail, describing the proper ways to face and turn. Each photograph is also easy to read and understand. Cody also deeply explains the history of the Wado Ryu system and discusses the philosophy behind it. This book is a must have for any Martial Artist who wishes to study Wado Ryu.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent and refreshing, May 11, 2009

By 

Aleksandar Fatic - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wado Ryu Karate/Jujutsu (Paperback)

This is a decent and refreshing book about Wado Ryu. It provides for an interesting and realistic reading. I especially liked the author's honesty about the need to carry a weapon, and his pointing it out to the readers that Bruce Lee stuff is dangerous when facing someone with any kind of weapon. Thus, he makes it clear that those concerned with self-defence should as a first choice carry a weapon. That is decent and honourable advice.

As far as Wado Ruy content is concerned, the book focuses on forms, which are essentially the same as Shotokan forms, so the more realistic performance of the forms (shorter stances) is really not so relevant for Wado Ryu, as it does not have its own forms.

One warning: the author provides three principles for the effective implementation of Wado Ryu as a self-defence system, I paraphrase: "Get them bleeding, stope them breathing, cause shock." The latter two are valid, but to "get them to bleed", especially as a first defence principle, is misplaced. A bleeding person is not an incapacitated person, and in fact getting them to bleed might just enrage them enough to take the victim to pieces rather than stopping them. Bleeding is not important for defence. Breathing is, shock is, and disturbance to balance also is, and the author does not mention it here. So, this supposedly "catchy" phrase should be edited slightly.

Another two aspects of Wado Ryu that could and should be included in a future edition of this book: (1) the pre-emptive strike (the strike from normal stance while assuming the sparring stance, the front straight punch), and (2) nagashi zuki, which the author does mention, but does not give it sufficient attention, because it includes the now much-debated "tae sabaki" evasive pivot with the rear leg, and is a signature technique of Wado Ryu that has proven highly effective in competitions (I don't know about the street, don't have much experience there).

So, all in all, you should definitely buy this book. This is good writing, good stuff, and with some editing it could be even better in the next edition.