‘Bunkai-Jutsu’ is the analysis of the karate katas and their application in real combat. It is also the title of this pioneering book by Iain Abernethy. The fighting applications of the karate katas (forms) is one of the most fascinating – and sadly misunderstood – aspects of karate practice. Bunkai-Jutsu provides the reader with the information they need to unlock the ‘secrets’ of kata and to begin practising karate as the complete and realistic combat art that it was intended to be! This groundbreaking and often controversial book provides a detailed analysis of the combative concepts and principles upon which the katas are based. 'Bunkai-Jutsu' is essential reading for all those who want to understand the real meaning of kata.
A concise yet comprehensive history of traditional Okinawan and Japanese karate, with biographies of the great karate masters This concise-yet-comprehensive history of traditional Okinawan and Japanese karate includes authoritative biographies of the great karate masters of the past and the philosophical issues they faced as karate changed and evolved. Bringing a fresh understanding to the study of the martial arts, Mark I. Cramer dispels many of the often-repeated martial-arts myths as he details the lineages of the modern styles of karate and describes the social, cultural, and political events that influenced them. While most books focus on a single style of karate or the biography of just one of the great teachers, this book offers a well-researched and detailed overview. By bringing all of this knowledge together in one volume, Cramer—an award-winning inductee into the USA Karate Federation’s Hall of Fame—fills a crucial gap.
'Arm-Locks for All Styles' is a must read for all martial artists who wish to expand, enhance and develop their knowledge of arm-locks.In addition to providing step-by-step instruction on over fifty-five arm-locks, this heavily illustrated and comprehensive book also includes detailed discussions on the use of arm-locks in live situations and the underlying core principles of all arm-locks.The wide range of wrist, elbow and shoulder locks covered in this book ensures that it will be of benefit to all martial artists, regardless of style. This book will help practitioners of 'striking systems' to introduce arm-locks into their training. Martial artists who are more familiar with arm-locks are sure to enjoy the wide diversity of content and the unorthodox nature of some of the locks covered.This book also includes detailed guidance on how to uncover the arm-locks 'hidden' within the katas, hyungs and forms. Additional photographs clearly show where many of the arm-locks covered can be found in a wide range of katas including the Pinans / Heians, Kushanku / Kanku-Dai, Passai / Bassai, Tekki / Naihanchi, Seishan / Hangetsu, Seipai, Jion, Wanshu / Enpi, Rohai, Nijushiho etc'Arm-Locks for All Styles' covers locks that can be used whilst fighting vertically and on the ground and is a must for all martial artists who understand the need for skills at all ranges of combat.• Introduction• Chapter 1: Principles of Arm-Locks• Chapter 2: The Role of Kata, Hyungs and Forms• Chapter 3: Safety in Training• Chapter 4: Wrist-Locks• Chapter 5: Straight Arm-Locks• Chapter 6: Bent Arm-Locks• Chapter 7: Transition Drills• Conclusion"Another fantastic book by Iain Abernethy. I highly recommend this, the next chapter in the Abernethy library. A pioneering martial arts author"- Geoff Thompson, self-protection expert and bestselling author"A comprehensive analysis together with very realistic applications"- Doug James, 7th Dan WKF
Topics covered in this work include: understanding kata and bunkai; the role of grappling in self defence; close range strikes; throws and takedowns; ground fighting; chokes and strangles; arm bars; leg and ankle locks; neck wrenches; finger locks; wrist locks; and fighting dirty.
Now available for the first time in English, Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters, the late Shoshin Nagamine's groundbreaking work, recounts the legacy and life histories of Okinawa's greatest martial artists. In addition to profiles of the legendary tegumi wrestlers, Nagamine-sensei features many of the world's great karate masters, including the founder of the core styles from which modern karate sprang. Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters corrects historical inaccuracies surrounding Okinawan martial arts and brings alive the greatest of the great masters. In this seminal martial arts history and biography, Nagamine-sensei presents the martial legacy of the Okinawan people and, to complement and emphasize what is of greatest importance in these tales and life histories, concludes with detailed instructions for the practice of zazen (sitting meditation). Already a classic in the Japanese edition, Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters is a must-read for all karate and tegumi enthusiasts, practitioners and researchers alike.
This book takes the 5 Heian Kata and breaks them down into progressively dynamic training and sparring drills to teach students how to effectively counter the habitual acts of street violence.
Unlocking the secrets of the Karate Kata, Elmar Schmeisser meticulously explores the core of Shotokan's Heian Kata. This text is a "must-have" for any serious karate student who wants to truly understand how Kata works and where real applications seem "hidden".
Refine your advanced blocking skills with this illustrated martial arts guide. Every style of karate, tae kwon do, kung fu, or other martial art includes the down block as part of its kata, or forms. The forms are similar enough that martial artists will recognize them as down blocks, even though the specific block looks different from their own style. Taken together, these blocks make up a "universe of hundreds" of different variations on the basic block 75 Down Blocks explores this universe to look for the underlying principles common to all down blocks. Author Rick Clark examines seventy-five different possible variations on the basic down block - with examples on how to use the down block to defend against twelve kinds of attacks- from wrist grabs and punches to kicks and attacks with a stick.
This introduction to karate teaches both the physical training and the mentalhilosophy necessary for karate mastery. The book also provides the completeistory of karate.
