The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do

'There is no first attack in karate...karate must be a defensive art from beginning to end.'-Shoshin Nagamine

A rich source on the technique and philosophy of traditonal Okinawan karate, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary karate master Shoshin Nagamine, world famous as the founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do. First published in 1976, this timeless work has long been a treasured reference source for martial artists around the world.

A systematic treatment of the technical aspects of karate-do using 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 show more 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 historic landmarks in the development of the 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.

Shoshin Nagamine began his sudy of karate in 1924. By his death in late 1997, he had been ranked Judan (10th degree black belt), Hanshi (master instructor) by the All-Okinawan Karate-Do Association, and was recognized worldwide as a major force in bringing karate-do into the light of world respect and admiration. After a career that included service as vice-chairman of the Naha City Assembly and president of the Okinawa Police Station, Nagamine Sensei dedicated himself to teaching karate-do and Zen meditation, and to preserving the traditional arts and culture of the Ryukyus.

Contents

Foreword by Junji Nishime
Foreword by Jugo Toma
Preface
Part One
I A brief history of karate-do
The art of te
Shuri-te and naha-te
Popularization of karate
Post-war revival
The kumite match
Effects of the tournament system
Recommendations for study
II My life with karate
A prescription for health
Devotion renewed
Insights of Arakaki
Inspiration form Kyan
Kumite development under Motobu
III Thoughts on the mastery of karate-do
Precepts in the mastery
The maxims of Matsubayashi-ryu karate-do
Attitudes to be kept for karate training
The ethics of the dojo
Training hints
Part Two
IV Interpretation of the kata of Matsubayashi-ryu karate-do
Basic movements
Kamaekata (ready stances)
1 Soto-hachiji shizentai-dachi (open-leg natural stance)
2 Chokuritsu-fudo-dachi (formal attention stance)
3 Heisoku-dachi (closed-foot stance)
Tachikata (stances)
1 shinzentai-dachi (natural stance)
2 Jun shizentai-dachi (quasi-natural stance)
3 Jigotai-dachi (wide open-leg stance)
4 Naihanchi-dachi (straddle-leg stance)
5 Zenkutsu-dachi (front-leg-bent stance)
6 Naname zenkutsu-dachi (slanted front-leg-bent stance)
7 Kokutsu-dachi (back-leg-bent stance)
8 Kosa-dachi (cross-leg stance)
9 Ippon-ashi-dachi (one-leg stance)
10 Iaigoshi-dachi (kneeling)
Semekata (attacking techniques)
1 Seiken waza (fist technique)
2 Yubi waza (finger technique)
3 Uchi waza (striking technique)
4 Ate waza (smashing technique)
Ukekata (blocking techniques)
1 Seiken-ude-uke (forearm block)
2 Shuto- and haito-uke (knife-hand and reverse knife-hand blocks)
3 Shotei-uke (palm-heel block)
4 Hiji-uke (elbow block)
5 Hangetsu-barai-uke (half-moon foot block)
Kerikata (kicking techniques)
1 Kyobu-geri (chest kick)
2 fukubu-geri (abdomen kick)
3 Kinteki-geri (groin kick)
4 Sokuto-geri (foot-edge kick)
5 Nidan-geri (flying front kick)
Intermediate movements
V Sequential movements of te eighteen kata
1 Fukyugata I
2 Fukyugata II
3 Pinan I (shodan)
4 Pinan II (nidan)
5 Pinan III (sandan)
6 Pinan IV (yondan)
7 Pinan V (godan)
8 Naihanchi I (shodan)
9 Naihanchi II (nidan)
10 Naihanchi III (sandan)
11 Ananku
12 Wankan
13 Rohai
14 Wanshu
15 Passai
16 Gojushiho
17 Chinto
18 Kusanku
VI On kumte (sparring)
Yakusoku Kumite I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
VII Kobujutsu (ancient weapon art)
Bo-jutsu
Nunchaku
Tuifa
Sai-jutsu
Afterword
Glossary-Index show less

This is the most important book you can own if you study Matsubayashi Ryu. It is very well written. Shows all 18 kata, kihons and yakusoku kumite. This book is not only good as a refresser but as a text book. When I had a dojoI required that all my students purchase this book. I am a Shihan, 7th Degreee Black belt in Matsubayashi Ryu years ago.

This is the most important book you can own if you study Matsubayashi Ryu. It is very well written. Shows all 18 kata, kihons and yakusoku kumite. This book is not only good as a refresher but as a text book. I required that all my students purchase this book. I am a Shihan, 7th Degreee Black belt in Matsubayashi Ryu.

KARATE