Best Karate, Vol.8: Gankaku, Jion (Paperback)

~ Masatoshi Nakayama (Author) "Deciding who is the winner and who is the loser is not the ultimate objective..." (more)
Key Phrases: reverse wedge block, middle level block, upper level block (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This new series will be eagerly sought by the many Shotokan students." -Library Journal

Product Description

Two kata from the recommended list: Gankaku--crane standing on a rock--a name descriptive of this kata, which has techniques for striking upward or downward with either hand while standing on one foot. Here are dazzling techniques for counterattacking with the back-fist or side kick.

In the Jion kata there are many crisp, flowing movements, but within these calm, harmonious movements are strong, spirited techniques appropriate for mastering shifting positions, changing directions and sliding the feet.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International; First Edition edition (December 15, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870114026
• ISBN-13: 978-0870114021
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #213,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 8 in The Best Karate Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent production, as is the entire "Best Karate" series, November 4, 1998

By A Customer

This book, and the entire "Best Karate" series, have the typical JKA (former JKA that is), high production values and painstaking attention to detail. With the exception of the first few kata books of this series, novice rank students may find it difficult to understand many of the nuances of the techniques presented, but in fact, the entire series is a virtual warehouse of infomation for the more advanced student, and is perfect as a reference source. The late Mr. Nakayama has always produced publications of high quality, and this series is no exception, even for students not aligned with the JKA or even Shotokan, for that matter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless Masterpiece, September 4, 2003

By	John Downing (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It has been over twenty years since I was first introduced to this series of books and they remain timeless classics for anyone interested in Karate. After so many years, so many moves, so many changes, I had lost track of my Best Karate books. This year my son started training and I was thrilled to discover that Amazon.com has this book available.

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.