The Secrets of Shotokan Karate [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Robin L. Rielly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Generously illustrated with over 700 clear photographs, Secrets of Shotokan Karate offers an in-depth look at the world's most popular martial art, with strategies, techniques, and drills to instruct new students and help current practitioners excel. It is a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and theory of Shotokan Karate, interwoven with relevant philosophy and historical context. Secrets of Shotokan Karate provides the reader with expert instruction and a greater understanding and appreciation of the art.

About the Author
Robin L. Rielly holds a sixth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate from the Japan Karate Association and a second-degree black belt in Shin Kage-Ryu from the Kobukan School in Yokohama, Japan. He is the author of Tuttle's Complete Shotokan Karate and Japan's Complete Fighting System: Shin Kage Ryu. He is currently chairman of the Technical Committee for the East Coast Karate Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804832293
• ISBN-13: 978-0804832298
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shotokan Revealed, March 16, 2002

By	"jvaldezcg5" (Burbank, California USA) - See all my reviews

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate by Robin L. Rielly Is a must have for those who want to get the most out Shotokan-ryu. Together with mister Rielly's Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, no more thorough grounding in Shotokan-ryu can be had. But if what you are looking for is a book for the beginner to learn the fundamentals I would suggest getting Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown's Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting, ISBN 0-8048-1668-9.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate details the methods for generating balance, stability, force, and speed. Explained are the principles of distancing, timing, hip and stance shifting, and strategy. Of special interest is the section on hip shifting for it is one of the more subtle connections Karate has with the Chinese arts of Taijiquan and Kung Fu. Separate chapters are devoted to Kumite and Kata. The chapter on Kumite includes helpful drills for mastering this aspect of the art. The chapter on Kata is especially enlightening in explaining what is meant by the "hidden meaning of Kata". Included in the Kata chapter is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Kanku Dai and its applications.

This book takes the Karate-ka from a mere practitioners of an exercise to the mastery of the techniques and principles required for the making of a martial artist.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening Martial Arts Book, May 30, 2009

By	Charles L. Trammell (Lithonia, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate is well-written. The photos, all in black and white are easy to understand, as are the explanations of the fighting techniques. This book is suitable for martial artists at all levels.

8 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A-Z hand book of shotokan., June 22, 2000

By A Customer

The author gives excellent background and history of this martial art form. Excellent descriptions and understand of forms through photos and detail descriptions of movements. Easy to read and put to practical use. Recommend this text for anyone who has an interest in the martial art discipline.