Karate means 'empty-hand,' but the man who masters this book will never be empty-handed. In fact, he will be a master of the ultimate in self-defense, for here are the fundamentals, the basic katas and techniques as taught by Robert Trias, holder of the eighth degree Black Belt.

These movements and techniques are vividly brought to life by more than six hundred striking illustrations, many of them picturing Master Trias and his aides and pupils. Along with the imposing illustrations are important charts not usually found in works of this kind. The charts show the fatal and disabling points of the body and the nerve centers-for karate can be a deadly game, and those who practice it must know well the significance of the term 'killer karate.'

But karate, as teh author ably illstrates, is more than an effective form of self-defense-it is a healthful physical art and an exciting sport. It provides excellent all-around exercise, developing coordination, agility and poise. Many schools are promoting karate and, in tune with the times, it has sprung up in the Women's Lib movement. For every action, Trias explains, there is an opposite and equal reaction, and the success of any karate movement is based upon the a concentration of strength at the proper time and place. Mental attitude plays an important part, Trias says, and in many cases the psychologically stronger person vanquishes his physically superior opponent.

For student and instructor alike, this important manual will open new dimensions, new horizons, and in the give-and-take of life will teach the properly oriented how to give much more than he takes. It will give him a new interest, a new zest for living, with the confidence that he can move mountains. Above all, it will teach him that to master others, he must first learn to master himself.

Robert A. Trias returned to the Unites States at the end of World War II to teach and advance the science of karate at a time when it was practically unheard of in America. In 1946 he opened the first karate school in America in America, in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1948 Trias founded the United States Karate Association, which today is the largest karate orgianization in America. He sponsored the first World Karate Tournament in Chicago in 1963. Trias's school in Phoenix has an impressive display of trophies, not the least of these being the karate-rank awards made to him. He has Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean system certificates, and in the United States he is a holder of the eighth dan. He has further received a commendation from Admiral William F. 'Bull' Halsey, under whom he served in World War II.

Contents

Preface
Part One
What is Karate?
History of Karate
Merits of Karate-do
Essential principles-Physical aspects; Mental aspects; Kia, Abdominal Breathing, and Zen; The Seika Tanden; A note on equipment
Exercises-Neck, finger, and arm exercises; Leg and foot exercises
Part Two
Stances
Hand forms and karate weaopns
Nerve centers (Front) (Back )
Fatal and disabling blows (Front) (Back)
Blocking
Punching-Chopping; Elbow and forearm punching; Thrusting
Kicking-Blocking kicks
Breaking-Conditioning
Faling
Part Three
Kata situations-Countering a right punch; Rushing trick methods; Countering a left punch
Two-man sparring techniques
Basic forms
Part Four
Training course
Formal katas-Naifun-chin kata; Bassai kata; Gokpei-sho kata; Nandan-sho kata
Conclusion
Appendix
List of exercises
List of stances
List of blocks
List of punches
List of kicks
List of methods to block kicks
List of kata situations
List of basic forms
Glossary