Best Karate, Vol.6: Bassai, Kanku (Paperback)

~ Masatoshi Nakayama (Author) "From shizen-tai, bring left foot half a step inward, then right foot..." (more)
Key Phrases: mae uchi, level horizontal strike, middle level block (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fully described and illustrated in this volume are the widely practiced Bassal and Kanku kata from the JFA recommended group. The student learns fast and slow techniques, the dynamics of strength, how to turn weakness into strength, changing directions, jumping and going to ground.

Here is a list of all volumes in this series:
Vol. 1: Comprehensive
Vol. 2: Fundamentals
Vol. 3: Kumite 1
Vol. 4: Kumite 2
Vol. 5: Heian, Tekki
Vol. 6: Bassai, Kanku
Vol. 7: Jutte, Hangetsu, Empi
Vol. 8: Gankaku, Jion
Vol. 9: Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Chinte
Vol.10: Unsu, Sochin, Nijushiho
Vol. 11: Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho, Meikyo

About the Author

Masatoshi Nakayama carries on the tradition of his teacher, Gichin Funakoshl, the Father of Modern Karate. Long professor and director of physical education at Takushoku University, his alma mater (1937), he was chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association from 1955 until his death in 1987. A ninth degree black belt and a familiar face at tournaments, he was among the first to send instructors overseas and to encourage the development of karate along scientific lines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (April 15, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870113836
• ISBN-13: 978-0870113833
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 6 in The Best Karate Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Karate is the Best, January 14, 2000

By	Paul J. Cahill (Canada) - See all my reviews

Best Karate Series books are excellent and this one is no exception. The transistion from technique to technique is excellent. Most other books just show the end result of each "move", Best Karate shows YOU how to get there. I also liked the Bunkai (application) section for each kata.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Addition To Training, January 15, 2009

By	SMXSteve (Seattle) - See all my reviews

Nakayama Sensei's series of books have been a great addition to my twenty years of training in Shotokan. There are so many kata's in Shotokan it's easy to forget a single step that will stop you cold. This series of books explains each kata in numbered steps, each step broken down by a series of pictures showing how they should be performed including where the kiai's are. At the end of the step by step instructions are a series of pictures showing the application of the kata moves.

Nakayama founded the Japan Karate Association along with Gichin Funakoshi and was the head of JKA until his death in 1987.

It is extremely important to note that you cannot learn karate from a book. There are so many aspects to correct karate training you can easily develop bad habits. A qualified instructor can help you overcome those mistakes. But you will find the best instructors have a set of these books as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning Bassai, September 3, 2007

By	R. Hoffman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This kata is very demanding. This book lays out the kata very thoroughly (much more so than in Best Karate, Vol.5). It also gives you a front and side view which are essential to practicing at home.