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Nathan Johnson

Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of Kung Fu and Karate Paperback – Illustrated, November 15, 2000

by Nathan J Johnson (Author)

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Most books about Kung Fu or Karate deal with techniques or history. Few examine the underlying purpose of these arts, or approach them as a tool for spiritual, rather than physical, development. Barefoot Zen is a brave new approach to the martial arts, which clearly demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu and Karate, contained in the solo choreographed sequences of movements known as forms (or kata), grew out of the spiritual practices of the Shaolin order of Buddhist monks and nuns. Nathan Johnson explains that this mystical and nonviolent teaching is a profound and beautiful expression of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and its pursuit of wisdom, peace, and enlightenment. Contrary to popular assumption, he contends that it was never intended to be an actual means of selfdefense. Barefoot Zen bridges the gap between Kung Fu and Karate, and reveals their common origin through the disclosure of vital research material on three of the world's most important Karate kata.

Part I explains the spiritual disciplines that contributed to what we know as the martial arts.
Part II explains the creation of the art along with practical instruction for performing kata.
Part III explains the formation of many of the world's Kung Fu styles.

We learn that the original "empty hand art" was used as a method of kinetic meditation between pairs and was designed as a practical tool to assist practitioners in transcending the fear and insecurity of everyday living. Barefoot Zen makes the legacy of the Shaolin way accessible to all, releasing the art from the clutches of popular images and painful concerns about selfdefense. The legendary courage of the Shaolin (Chan/Zen) order was not developed by fighting with enemies, but by not fighting!

The Shaolin teaching was designed to free us from fear, the only true enemy.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Weiser Books
Publication date

November 15, 2000
Dimensions

7.03 x 0.71 x 10.02 inches
ISBN-10

1578631424
ISBN-13

978-1578631421
See all details

Nathan Johnson
16
Paperback
7 offers from $17.00

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The legendary courage of the Shaolin (Chan/Zen) order was not developed by fighting with enemies, but by not fighting! The Shaolin teaching was designed to free us from fear, the only true enemy. Barefoot Zen, a brave new approach to the martial arts, clearly demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu and Karate, contained in the solo choreographed sequences of movements known as forms (or kata), grew out of the spiritual practices of the Shaolin order of Buddhist monks and nuns. Nathan Johnson explains that this mystical and non-violent teaching is a profound and beautiful expression of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and its pursuit of wisdom, peace, and enlightenment. Contrary to popular assumption, he contends that it was never intended to be a means of self-defense.

Barefoot Zen bridges the gap between Kung Fu and Karate, and reveals their common origin through the disclosure of vital research material on three of the world's most important Karate kata. We learn that the original "empty hand art" was used as a method of kinetic meditation between pairs, and was designed as a practical tool to help practitioners transcend the fear and insecurity of everyday living. Barefoot Zen makes the legacy of the Shaolin way accessible to all, releasing the art from the clutches of popular images and painful concerns about self-defense.

About the Author

Nathan J. Johnson spent seven years learning Buddhism in a contemporary monastery. He holds a fifth degree black belt in Karate, a fourth degree black sash in Chinese Kung Fu and teaches Chinese empty hand arts and simple meditation techniques. He holds seminars and gives lectures throughout both Great Britain and the USA. His previous book, Zen Shaolin Karate has had several printings. He lives in Hampshire, England where he was born.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Weiser Books (November 15, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1578631424
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1578631421
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 0.035 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.03 x 0.71 x 10.02 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,612,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,366 in Zen Philosophy (Books)
- #5,399 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #28,411 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)

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4.1 22 ratings

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Nathan Johnson

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Nathan J. Johnson is a teacher, project manager and the author of ten books, including Zen Shaolin Karate (Tuttle 1994), Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of Kung Fu and Karate (Red Wheel/Weiser 2000) and The Great Karate Myth (Wykeham 2006).

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Neale Povey

A window on Shaolin

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2012

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Barefoot Zen is a personal story relating to martial arts. The definitive location for this is the Shaolin monastery - the ancestral home of Bhodidharma. This is foundational to the practice now defined by Monk/Warrior, cf. Zen/Kempo. Nathan Johnson has diligently pursued this path and is exemplary in his understanding of the Barefoot Zen model. He does spend much time in slicing and dicing the various forms, their origins, on and on. Great knowledge for the martial arts aficionados, I would love to attend a seminar with him. But less than I had hoped for with the title Barefoot ZEN.

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2014

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It was interesting to see a different interpretation of some of the common and mysterious katas in Karate. Unfortunately Mr. Johnson needs to research prior to writing, not just what he thinks. Martial Arts have been found all around the world and for the purposes of combat. Some martial arts did develop into a form of meditation, but not as the sole reason for their existence. Martial Arts, Military Arts as the name implies are combative arts designed to injure or kill the opponent, not meditate with them. Martial Arts were a form of offensive combat.
Martial Arts predate Buddhism by thousands of years. Kung Fu as we know it was a mixture of what came across the Himalayans and the indigenous fighting systems which already existed in China. Just like Kung Fu mixed with the indigenous fighting systems of Japan and Okinawa to form Akai Jujitsu, Kendo, ect (Japan) and Karate (Okinawa). The Samurai were very experienced in hand to hand fighting along with various weapons. They had to be, swords got lost, or broken or they couldn’t get to them for various reason, and still needed to defend themselves. Often times the Samurai were not allowed to take their Katana’s into specific areas of their lord’s castles. They even had small hidden weapons, such as the iron fan, their hair pins, small knives and Yawara stick, the fore runner of kubatons. The Samurai were warriors first and Zen Buddhist second. Their lord and their country depended on that.
His applications left a lot to be desired. With 30 years studying various martial arts, I had a hard time following how or why he let someone grab them the way he did. It looked pre-staged and not spontaneous. I have yet to see a fight go the way it was depicted in the book. Mr. Johnson seems to have a specific belief and has twisted history and application to fit his beliefs.
If you are looking for real insight into Niahanchi/Tekki and other Karate Katas’ I would look elsewhere. This book was full of propaganda of one person’s misguided belief on how the martial arts should be studied, not the way they originally were intended.

3 people found this helpful

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M. A. Ramos

The importance of KATA and how its use at Ryukyu Budo-Kai

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2002

This book is a must have. It backs up what has been practiced for years at Ryukyu Budo-Kai. This book ties in Zen and Karate, and specifically the KATA. You will see complete examples of Kata and how the bunkai is suppose to be applied. barefoot zen also clearly demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu and Karate grew from the spiritual practices of the Shaolin order of Buddhist monks and nuns. And follows through to Masters of our time, like Grand Master Nagamine. There is also a section to help you distinguish between what is traditional kata and what has been changed for the modern world. I believe that everything in this book is presented in a stright forward method. This book is a must for all true karateka.

4 people found this helpful

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James Moore

Wanna become an idiot?

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2008

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After reading and rereading this book, I cannot recommend it other than as a handy insect killer. If you want to hear that same old excuse about how Shaolin and Shaolin only created all the martial arts, then you will geek out on this book. Most of what he says (historically) is based on a legend that has been debunked so many times your grandma was a young girl when it first happened, if she was born in 1908.

I thought I was buying a book about a link between China and the Okinawan art. Instead I bought a book by a self absorbed Englishman who, in trying to destroy one art(or several), managed to show his ignorance of the concept of martial arts in totality.

I should give him credit though; Of all the books that proposed to to repurpose the Asian martial arts, his is the only one that does not mention Bruce Lee. Unless I missed it when my eyes began to cross.

Why?

Why mention a guy who was working on it 50 years ago when you, today, are trying to recreate a religious thingamajigger out of a monastery that seemed to be more interested in currying political favor from the imperial house and killing people despite the very plain Buddhist edict against killing? Power and greed gets people killed. He never explains why the Shaolin monks killed. He is to busy talking about himself.

8 people found this helpful

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Jack W. Mccullough

Insightful, and illuminating

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2002

Nathan Johnson has done a wonderful job in preparing and presenting the material in this book. His ideas about and research into the truth behind the origins of Kung Fu and Karate kata is unique and insightful. He presents a carefully thought out and well supported argument; that the original kung-fu forms from Shaolin temple were not intended as a combat art. He argues (and I think proves) that forms developed from push hand techniques that were developed for Zen transmission. As a result the (sometimes ridiculous) applications for kata techniques that many of us were taught, are reexamined and more likely applications are presented. I highly recommend this book.

5 people found this helpful

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David

Footsteps towards a greater understanding

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2001

This book is an exellent expression of Sensei Johnson's evolution as a man of gung fu. The ideas presented here are of great value in restoring the art and spirit to martial arts. The infomation is reserched diagently, presented honestly, and writen clearly. My thanks to the author for the courage of compasion in these days of gladitorial combat.

10 people found this helpful

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C. Hardman

An Improvment on his previous book, Insightful & Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2002

Here Nathan Johnson presents his treatis for the relationship between Buddhist philosophy (primarily zen) and martial arts practice. He considers authenticity in forms, and examines meaning and concepts related to shaolin. I don't fully agree with all of his premises, such as the idea that it is more likely a form is "authentic" when its practitioners credit a Buddhist or Taoist creator (many forms were assigned mysterious origin to make the school or founder credible), has a Buddhist name or title (like Ji-on in shotokan), is simple in its movements, etc. However, Johnson is one of the first who has had the time and energy to research his topics, and formulate theories based upon the how and why, as opposed to simply regurgitating and not questioning older information (the tiresome old "sensei said it, so it is true!" routine).
Johnson also examines karate in the greater context of cultural relativity, pondering such oddities as the esoteric meaning of Sanchin kata ("Sanchin is a mandala..."), and tries his hand (well) at debunking many myths and mistaken notions common in karate and kung fu today. Johnson offers advnanced concepts. You don't have to buy all of his theories, but reading this book will definately encourage you to consider your forms and martial arts in general in a new light.
This second volume is also a great improvement upon the first, as Johnson explains all of the things that I felt were lacking in that book. He relates experiences, correspondences, and includes footnotes and a bibliography of sources, crediting quotes sources. Johnson again demonstrates the fundamental forms of Sanchin and Naihanchin with their applications as in his first book "Zen Shaolin Karate", but the reader has the opportunity to consider his ideas in a wider context. Throughout the time I spent reading this work, I was convinced that this is a highly personal effort, sincere and honest to its heart. Not a grain of arrogance or pretentiousness did I encounter in my reading. Johnson is not trying to force feed us, on the contrary I felt he was encouraging the same spirit of research and discovery among those who consider his words. A worthwhile read for the martial artist who is weary of the mundane and repetitive.

22 people found this helpful

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M Holmes

Needs work.

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2002

The parts of the book dealing with Sanchin and Tensho kata are useful if you have never examined them carefully. The author provides useful interpretations and details for karate students. Regretfully the author omits an entire area of the training in the aforementioned kata, namely internal training, which is the essence of these kata. The author would be well advised to research qi gong training, as would any reader who is determined to study these kata seriously.

5 people found this helpful

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Richard M. Allen

Useful...if you overlook its shortcomings

Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2010

If you are a purely physical martial artist, you will find little here to align with your search.

If, however, you view the martial arts as having spiritual components as well as physical components, you will find this book interesting and potential useful.

That said, even then, you must overlook the author's foibles in order to uncover these gems. The author is a bit of a "religious zealot" in his views.

You will have to overlook the irony in his frequent criticisms of other views that suggest to know the way; ironic since the author believes he alone knows the true way. And you must overlook his constant criticism of everyone who does not share his view exactly, which is typically followed by the suggestion that he doesn't want to criticize other styles and practitioners. And his constant use of others opinions as "facts" far too often serve as "references" to support his position.

If you can overlook these, you will likely find an opportunity to view the martial arts with a different perspective. While you may not "convert" to the authors beliefs, you will likely come away with a deeper understanding of your own beliefs with regard to the martial arts.

2 people found this helpful

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Kris L. Olsen

Insiteful in the beginning, but wasn't what I expected

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2002

When I first looked at the title, I thought,"wow, someone has a great understanding of the movement from the Shoalin to other places of Asia, and eventually America." But that was not the case. I feel that the title is misleading, for it hardly describes that at all. The author i felt was way to bias to his style of martial arts, not only, the original forms created in the Shoalin temple. His agruments is basically that all martial artists should learn the traditional Shoalin forms for they hold "special meaning," or that they were created for a "better purpose." In other words, no one must forget them. This is a kind of contradiction to the buddhist thought which is change is inevitable. I have a question, if the purpose of forms a state of focus, a state of meditation, and phyical training, than does it matter what form we as martial artis do? I feel that he is trying too hard to promote his style he trains. Had some good concepts in the book, but the rest has nothing to do with the title, therefore, i feel you need to retitle it. My opinion, Also i found many other things that seemed contratictory to the taoist, buddhist and zen thought, but i will let everyone else figure that out themselves.

6 people found this helpful

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