PNG Book Reviewers

To search for the old is to understand the new The old, the new This is a matter of time. In all things man must have a clear mind. The Way: Who will pass it on straight and well? - A poem by Gichin Funakoshi One of karate’s greatest masters, Gichin Funakoshi, brings a detailed technical manual for every karateka in Karate-dō Kyōhan: The Master Texts . Translated by Tsutomu Ohshima, who founded the first karate association in 1956 in the United States (US), the book contains technical details including photographs of the nineteen katas selected by Funakoshi to give comprehensive training in karate. The katas start with the Taikyoku series and ends with Ten No Kata Omote or the introductory kata to sparring. However, there are also more than just technical details. Funakoshi also defines karate and explains the origins of the Okinawan art. He opens up to his fears of public instruction and talks about the values of karate especially for health, self-defence and spiritualit...

"As a student of Karate, this book is a must read. I’ve gone through it five times and yet I always get a fresh perspective every time." Unlike many technical books on the market, Karate-do: My Way of Life , is a philosophical aspect into Karate from the man who is credited with popularising the Okinawan martial art in mainland Japan. There are many anecdotes and each with its own lesson. However, it is in essence the biography of Gichin Funakoshi; the man which the Shotokan style is credited to. For the Shotokan student, or even karateka in general, this is an absolute must read.