Masao Kawasoe, 8th Dan-Recollections of a Shotokan Karate Master-The Early Years (1945-1975)

Masao Kawasoe, 8th Dan, tells the fascinating story of the first thirty years of the making of a world-class karate master.

Master Kawasoe began training in Shotokan under Master Katsunori Tsuyama, in 1960, before successfully attaining a JKA black belt from Minoru Miyata, in 1963. Awarded a full

Show More

karate scholarship to Takushoku University, upon completion of his degree, Master Kawasoe was then invited to attend the prestigious JKA Instructors' Course for a futher two years, under the tutelage of Masters Nakayama, Shoji and Kanazawa. Master Kawasoe then accepted a post of JKA instructor to Taiwan before pioneering Shotokan in Madagascar. He became based in Great Britain in 1974, and travels the globe extensively today, teaching.

Masao Kawasoe, 8th Dan, is a wonderful read by the foremost writer of Shotokan in the world, and describes one man's dedicated journey along the Shotokan path. Told largely in the Master's own words (with a substantial additional references and notes), and approved by him, the text is accompanied by many never-before-published historical photographs. The ups and downs of becoming a senior karate instructor are related with both frankness and honesty.

A book on Master Kawasoe is long overdue...and the wait has definitely been worthwhile.

Contents

Dedication
Foreword-Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, 9th Dan, ITKF
Foreword-Master Katsunari Tsuyama, 8th Dan, JKF
Foreword-Vitaly Smirnov, IOC Member
Preface
I A Shotokan inspiration
II A scholarship to Takushoku
III The JKA Instructors' course
IV A JKA Instructor to Taiwan and Madagascar
V An invitation to Great Britain
References & notes
Glossary
About the autho

Show Less