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

~ Shoshin Nagamine (Author), Patrick McCarthy (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Shoshin Nagamine here presents the legacy, life histories and anecdotes of Okinawan's "bushi" warriors. To complement the tales of Okinawan's karate and sumo masters, the text concludes with detailed instructions for the practice of "zazen", sitting meditation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 169 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (April 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 (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #407,251 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 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]) (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

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!

4 of 4 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 (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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 for all Karate-ka, August 10, 2000

By	K. Tooley (Buffalo, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.