Complete Shotokan Karate-The Samurai Legacy and Modern Practice

'I wholeheartedly recommend this book for those who wish to understand Japanese karate, traditions, and culture.'-Teruyki Okazaki, International Shotokan Karate Federation.

Complete Shotokan Karate is actually two books in one: a thorough history of Japanese karate in Asia and the United States, and

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an instructional manual for students of the Shotokan method.

Part One outlines the history of karate from its probable origins in India (or perhaps Greece), and its transmission from China through Okinawa to Japan. Relevant aspects of Japanese history and culture, such as the samurai ethos and Zen, are emphasized.

Part Two, profusely illustrated with over 600 clear black-and-white photographs and 20 line drawings, outlines instruction for kumite (sparring drills). Included are two-person drills such as the double-line drill and the circle drill, which give practice in facing multiple opponents. Descriptions of many of these drills are not found in other english-language books. In addition, nine kata (forms) are presented, two of which, sochin and nijushiho, are rarely seen in print in English.

The two parts of this exhaustive book-the first historical and philosophical, the second practical-combine to form one of the most comprehensive presentations of Shotokan Karate available in English. Complete Shotokan Karate is an essential resource for all those interested in Japanese karate.

Robin L. Reilly bagan training in the Japanese martial arts in 1959. He holds a sixth-degree black belt in shotokan karate from the Japan Karate Association, and a second-degree black belt in Shin Kage-ryu jujutsu from the Kobukan school in Yokohama, Japan. A graduate of the Japan Karate Association Instructors Training Institute, he is qualified as an official instructor, examiner, and tournament judge. He is currently a member of the National Technical committee for the International Shotokan Karate Federation, and serves as Chairman of the Tehnical Committee for the East Coast Shotokan Karate Association.

Contents

List of illustrations
Foreword by Teruyuki Okazaki
Preface
Introduction
Part One: Karate and tradition
1The history of karate
The origins of karate
From India to China
Okinawan karate
Japanese karate
Karate: The name changes
The transmission of karate to the United States
2 The samurai and his ethos
The origins of the samurai
Consolidation of military power
The samurai class
Bushido: The way of the warrior
The Zen tradition
3 Samurai customs and traditions
Seppuku
Vendettas
The changing of tradition
The samurai in transition
4 Karate and Japanese martial arts traditions
Japanese adaptations of Chinese philosophy
Jutsu and do
The 'dojo kun'
Martial arts sayings
Part Two: Karate training
5 Preparation and etiquette
The standing bow
The kneeling bow
6 Kumite Sparring techniques
Element of fighting
Types of drills
Prearranged drills
Single-assailant multiple-step
Three-attack sparring drill
Single-assailant single-step
One-attack sparring drill
One-attack drill with multiple counters
One-step two-attack sparring drill
Direction-reversing drill
Multiple assailant
Three-man drill
Circle drill
Double-line drill
Single-line drill
Semi-free sparring
Free style fighting
7 Karate kata
Background and applications
Kata names and origins
Shorin kata
Shorei kata
Modern practice of kata
Selected kata-Heian shodan, nidan, sandan, yodan, godan; Tekki shodan; Bassai dai; Nijushiho; Sochin
Appendix Karate ranks
What judges look for
Belt system
Note on the higher ranks
Note on junior ranks
Notes
Selected bibliography
Index
Tables
1 Geneology of shotokan-ryu
2 Geneology of goju-ryu
3 Geneology of wado-ryu
4 Genealogy of shito-ryu
5 Reqirements of the kyu-level ranks
6 Requirements for the dan-level ranks
7 Karate belt-system
8 Age and other requirements for dan-level ranks and special titles

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