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Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "In Okinawa, a miraculous and mysterious martial art has come down to us from the past..." (more)
Key Phrases: altering the stance, level forearm block, draw the left fist, Heian Shodan, Tekki Shodan, Heian Nidan (more...)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Nineteen kata ("forms") of karate-the art of self-defense without weapons-are presented here in complete detail. They are the ones selected by the great master and teacher, Gichin Funakoshi, to give comprehensive training in Karate-do, the way of karate.
Fully illustrated demonstrations by the translator cover not only every technique of the kata but also the fundamentals and applications: how to make a fist; the correct form of the open hand; preliminary training in blocking, striking and kicking; the seven stances; and sparring.
The author presents, besides kata that he himself originated, beginning and advanced kata from both the Shorei school and the Shorin school, the former remarkable for their forcefulness and development of strength, the latter characterized by their gracefulness and lightning swiftness.
This book, the most comprehensive and authoritative ever published, was being revised by the author shortly before his death in 1957, at the age of eighty-eight, and is translated for the first time. Through his advice on both practical and spiritual aspects of training, the master guides the student from techniques to the Way of karate. Complementing the English edition are illustrations of National Treasures from Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji temples in Nara and Master Funakoshi's calligraphy.
Karate, whose value for the well-rounded development of strength, coordination and agility is scientifically validated, can be practiced at any time and in any place, for any length of time, by men and women of all ages, and requires no special equipment. It also fosters the development of spiritual qualities: courage, courtesy, integrity, humility and self-control.
Gichin Funakoshi's karate books, the first published in 1922, are landmarks, for the development of this martial art in Okinawa was shrouded in secrecy, and almost no records of its early history, dating back more than a thousand years to the Shao-lin Temple in Hunan Province, China, exist. Karate-do Kyohan is a book that lives up to its title: it is in truth the master text for karate instruction at all levels and in all aspects of technique and character development.


Language Notes

Text: English, Japanese (translation)

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha International (May 15, 1973)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0870111906
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870111907
  • Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,257 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #5 in  Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts > Karate

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Gichin Funakoshi
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Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text
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Karate-Do: My Way of Life 4.6 out of 5 stars (47)
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The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master
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The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master 4.7 out of 5 stars (15)
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Customer Reviews

44 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (44 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have !, December 14, 1999
By Stephan Eberhard (Paris, France) - See all my reviews
This book is great in every aspect. First, the layout is great, quality paper with very well done illustrations and great photographic material. Second, the text by Masetr Funakoshi is very pleasant and interesting to read, really enjotable. And third the katas are demonstrated with great technique and much detail (written and pictures). Be sure to get this book if you are serously interersted in Shotokan Karate-Do. I must mention although that the book is 3/4 of Katas and 1/4 of everything else, so if you think you will be bored with pages and pages of katas dmonstartion, think about it twice. Overall, I find it excellent.
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31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on kata by karate's greatest master, January 6, 2000
Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of modern karate. His style is known as shotokan, from his nickname Shoto. Every karate and tae kwon do style in the world today is descended from Funakoshi. Ancient Korean tae kwon do is a lost art. Modern TKD borrowed heavily from Funakoshi.

Nearly 200 of the book's 250 pages are devoted to katas, the choreographed forms of karate. There are 17 katas carefully explained and illustrated. I learned some of these 30 years ago. You forget a lot in 30 years - although not so much if it's been drummed into your head enough. Anyway here they are - move by move, good as new. They are great practice tools for when you don't have a partner. Doing kata is a lot more interesting than repetitive drills.

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic work by the master, October 2, 2000
This book is a must have for Shotokan as well as other stylists. The photos are excellent and the presentation of the forms is equally good. An important feature is the footwork diagrams, missing in many otherwise good kata books. The book is mostly katas, and up till this time it was the only book documenting the more advanced forms. To my knowledge, it is still the only book that has the Ten No Kata Omote form. There are 19 forms in all. Senior Egami does a great job with the form demonstrations.

There are about 30 forms in all in the Shotokan style. I only hope that someone does a book someday with all of them. Nakayama has done some further books with 2 or 3 of the advanced forms per book, but I'd like to see them all under one cover some day. However, someone who masters the 19 forms in this book should have considerable skill and power.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars short endorsement
excellent reference for the student of shotokan karate. photo progression of katas. my sensei recommended this book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Marian Telerski

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading
The fundamental text for most Okinawan Karate styles. If you are serious about karate, then you already have a copy. If you don't have a copy, then get one. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Hamilton Astrophysicist

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for all serious Shotokan Karate students.
This master text was completed by Master Funakoshi about a year before his death April 26, 1967. Since the original text was in Japanese, a request was made by the family for... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joseph J. Truncale

5.0 out of 5 stars A great asset
This book is a great source of information to anyone studying shotokan karate. It is well written and laid out and very informative.
Published 7 months ago by Thomas Campbell

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent... katas presented fairly well
Good book. Kata shown for very classial.. however... most schools and JKA do nto follow these standards.

Published 8 months ago by Bryan Harvey

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference book
Master Funakoshi's book is an excellent reference book for traditional Okinawan Karate practicioners. Read more
Published 10 months ago by M. Galaz

5.0 out of 5 stars A great in-depth book on shotokan karate
This is one of the great books in karate do. It is an in-depth look at Gichin Funakoshi's Shotokan Karate Do written by him himself. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Vic Sage

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT
I am partial to this style of the martial art. I have met Master Oshima, shown in the photos in the book and the one who translated the book, and practiced with him. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Allison Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars Karete-Do Kyohan: The Master Text
This was my first time using Amazon to bought a book that I am looking for. So far, I am satisfy with this service instead of I buy in book store. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Agoosh Yoosran

5.0 out of 5 stars not much to say
If you do Shotokan or any karate for that matter you should have this book, If you do Shotokan you HAVE to have this book and you are very luck to have so much of the founders... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Arthur Grigolia

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