Grand Master Fusei Kise has devoted his life to teaching traditional Okinawan karate, From the main dojo of the All Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation in Okinawa City, he and his students have branched throughout the world, bringing to thousands the tradition of Shorin-Ryu Matsumura karate as passed to him by his teacher, Master Hohan Soken. In this book, Hanshi Kise tells his the story of his life and his karate.
Time moves on, cultures change with the twists of history and secret arts are lost. To understand the essence of karate, kobudo and te is to read and digest this work. To devour the mysteries of the secret principles it records is to dwell in a former time, only then will the reader know the true meanings of what the masters passed on. This book was a classic of the 20th century and, with the passing of time, is now considered to be an historic record for the modern era; both a time capsule and an integrated tool of knowledge transmission. Also featuring contributions from the latest breed of expert researchers, this Expanded Third Edition keeps the original version alive in its entirety, while bringing the Okinawan karate world up to date, as it expands into an ever-increasing international world. Be warned though, it also answers questions that have not been asked until now and topics that could not have been discussed, while expanding on newly debatable issues. This is what the masters were really saying
The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary martial arts master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do. Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over 1,000 photographs to document eighteen classic karate kata (preset forms) and seven yakusoku kumite (prearranged partner exercises), as well as basic techniques. This book is a precise and easily accessible pictorial guide to performance and perfection of traditional karate. The only book in English with photos of one of the great prewar masters demonstrating the proper execution of Okinawan karate, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do is a bridge between karate's legendary past and the practitioners of today. This ingenious and imaginative text explains the historical landmarks in the development of style, vividly outlines its leading forms and techniques, and recalls noted Okinawan karate men of the past, including the author's teachers Ankichi Arakaki, Choki Motobu, and Chotoku Kyan.
Progression is a positive trait, as long as one keeps in touch with the past and has a staple backdrop to focus or fall back on. Although the Revised Expanded Third Edition contains all the wording and photographs that are reproduced in both the first edition, as well as this Revised and Expanded Second Edition, it comparatively represents a step into what was, for these latter two books, the future. The year 2019, in which I am writing this foreword, represents respectively 30 years and 20 years into the future since the publication of these two books, so I think this faithful reproduction of the Master Version by Q&I Publications is well timed. For some readers it might bring about nostalgia, for others it might be an eye-opener into a world that is not always truthfully represented, due to commercial or other reasons. For the teachers who I interviewed and have been embodied herein, I hope this Master Version will remain a testament into how they wished to be represented for time immemorial.
A personal, philosophical, and historical exploration of Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate written by an experienced master. In Wandering Along the Way of Okinawan Karate, Giles Hopkins draws on his fifty years of martial arts experience to take the reader on a journey through the meaning of kata (form) and bunkai (application) in Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. Hopkins offers his personal reflections on the enigma of karate kata while explaining many of its little-understood applications. With skill and insight into kata's connection to nature, the book addresses key topics such as why some movements are done slowly while others are fast, the significance of steps and turns, and the role of tradition in karate. The purpose of kata solo patterns is to solidify specific self-defense techniques. Contrary to the commonly held belief that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, Hopkins argues that kata embodies specific martial principles that must be followed rigorously for it to be truly effective. He also reveals the spiritual dimensions of martial arts by explaining its deep connection to nature. Providing new understanding of kata structure, themes, and martial art principles, Hopkins sheds light on the practitioner's journey.
Linking the time when karate was a strictly Okinawan art of self-defense shrouded in the deepest secrecy and the present day, when it has become a martial art practiced throughout the world, is Gichin Funakoshi, the "Father of Karate-do." Out of modesty, he was reluctant to write this autobiography and did not do so until he was nearly ninety years of age. Trained in the Confucian classics, he was a schoolteacher early in life, but after decades of study under the foremost masters, he gave up his livelihood to devote the rest of his life to the propagation of the Way of Karate. Under his guidance, techniques and nomenclature were refined and modernized, the spiritual essence was brought to the fore, and karate evolved into a true martial art. Various forms of empty-hand techniques have been practiced in Okinawa for centuries, but due to the lack of historical records, fancy often masquerades as fact. In telling of his own famous teachers--and not only of their mastery of technique but of the way they acted in critical situations--the author reveals what true karate is. The stories he tells about himself are no less instructive: his determination to continue the art, after having started it to improve his health; his perseverance in the face of difficulties, even of poverty; his strict observance of the way of life of the samurai; and the spirit of self-reliance that he carried into an old age kept healthy by his practice of Karate-do.
In the early 1970s Marilyn Fierro found herself pursuing a way of life that was supposed to be closed to women - the martial arts. Join her as she tells her story of personal growth, spirituality, and achievement (both internally and externally). This book contains the following primary sections: 1. Personal life story as a young girl growing up and discovering martial arts 2. Early experience with self defense seminars and dojo life 3. Tournament and competitive experiences 4. Descriptions of instructors and martial arts influences throughout the years 5. Unique images of early training, including seminars with instructors such as Angi Uezu, Fumio Demura, Bill Wallace, Shugoro Nakazato, and more 6. An exploration of the spiritual aspects of training and life 7. Much more! Words of support for Fierro Sensei's work: -I tell people how we met. How you just showed up one day at a karate tournament in line with the rest of us to compete in the black belt division in kata and weapons kata, and then went on to place in both. You blew me away. We, I mean the Detroit black belts, hadn't seen a woman like you in competition. And with that, we have been friends for over 40 years.- - Ray Gabriel, 7th Dan Isshinryu ----- -I met Marilyn Fierro many years ago. She is one of those people who is an example of how martial arts can enrich any person's life. She has achieved so much through her training, both in gaining expertise and also, and more importantly, in applying the many lessons she has learned to all parts of her life. Marilyn has done so much to build purpose and joy in her life through martial arts, and that is the true goal of training.- - Fumio Demura, 9th Dan Shitoryu ----- -Reading Marilyn Fierro's new book brought back many mixed emotions of my own personal journey through life and the martial arts. Her accounts through her childhood and life offer an incredible story of persistence, courage, determination, passion, and a strong desire to be our best in any given situation. It is especially gratifying and satisfying to read the names of wonderful people I have met through my personal friendship with Marilyn over these many years.- - Mike Stone, Retired Karate Competitive Champion, Fight Choreographer, Motivational Speaker
Do you know who you are? Do you know what you want from life? Can you control and channel your thoughts, actions and feelings? This book will help you answer these questions. -All you need to know-terminology, lore, philosophy and motivation-to succeed at Karate, and at Life. -Brings East and West together, taking the best from each. -Master a toolbox of techniques, such as meditation and visualization, that will help you along the way. -What to do before, during, and after class to maximize benefit-techniques that are applicable to any learning situation. -How to work on speed, balance, and power, but most of all control: control your punches, but also control your emotions to control your destiny. -Lessons you can really use-proven in the dojo and in the world! -You will learn about yourself from this book, and what you are made of. Achieve balance in the triangle of life-your Mind, Body & Spirit-in life as well in the martial arts. You will find ways to improve what you know about yourself, feel about yourself, and what you think about yourself.
Karate-do evolved as a martial art in Okinawa, where it was nurtured bycenturies of Okinawan culture and innovation. What inspired the ancientmasters to develop these martial techniques and practices was the humaninstinct for self-preservation, not a desire for entertainment or sportingcompetition. Traditional Karate-do should be practiced with this in mind.Here you will find a complete personal training handbook to supplementtraining in any Karate-do system or other martial art style. This 2nd Edition is fully revised and greatly expanded. Featuresinclude martial philosophy, theory and practice; optimizing nutrition;physical training; and strategic studies. Bruce Lee advised all martialartists to âAbsorb what is usefulâ and every martial artist will findsomething of value here. The authors sincerely hope this book will inspireyou to train even more diligently, and that the experiences and researchshared here will be useful on your lifelong journey as a martial artist.
The legendary 20 guiding principles of karate penned by Funakoshi have been circulating for years but have never been published until now. Accompanied by rare photos and original calligraphy, this long-awaited treatise is a provocative and long overdue read for martial arts enthusiasts and followers of karate.
