My Birthday Present
Best Karate – Kumite I
I’ve got this book as a birthday present from my Karate buddy James today. (Thank you James!!!!).
As others reported previously it is a fantastic book. It takes me through the philosophy of Karate and why the current movement towards Sport Karate is a concern from a traditional point of view. I’ve learned about the different forms of Kumite and why they are important and for what skill level.
It then takes the reader through punches, kicks, throws etc. by showing detailed picture and sequences of the best Karatekas, and how they do it. For example, Katsunori Tsuyama’s Mawashi-Geri (roundhouse kick) is shown as a ‘kicks in close combat’ example, Keigo Abe’s Uraken (back fist) techniques are illustrated as a ’striking in close combat’ example. And image sequences of Tetsuhiko Asai teach us about rotation, tai-sabaki and throwing! Enjoy – I am doing it right now!
Style: All
Level: Advanced
Has anyone read the other books of the Best Karate series?
What’s the deal there?
Tony
Hi Tony,
Yes, I have read all of them and I can recommend them.
Best Karate Vol. 1. “ Introduction “
By Masatoshi Nakayama
This book gives a good overview of Shotokan Karate.
It contains an interesting mix from what Karate is all about, to some basic stands and techniques and a number of technique applications.
It is for sure a good book for beginners to learn some of the basics as much as it can be a guide to help people who start teaching Karate.
Best Karate Vol. 2. “ Fundamentals “
By Masatoshi Nakayama
In comparison to Vol. 1. of the Nakayama Karate book series, Vol. 2. is already focusing much more on how to practice stances and techniques. It contains an important range of points to keep an eye on while learning / practicing Karate techniques and also ways of how to easily explain certain things to students such as posture of your body and how to or not to move your body.
Also comparisons are made to other arts and or sports such as Kendo, Dancing, Golf and others. It helps making Karate moves a bit easier to understand in particular for beginners.
Best Karate Vol. 5. “ Kata1. Heian, Tekki “
By Masatoshi Nakayama
In this book we find the 5 Heian Katas ( forms ) plus Tekki Shodan, Nidan und Sandan.
Every Kata is documented step by step with text and pictures to each technique, front and top view. The most important techniques are pointed out separately at the end of the Kata.
The 5 Heian Katas plus Tekki-Shodan are normally used for colour belt gradings. Tekki-Nidan and Tekki-Sandan are more black belt Katas.
Best Karate Vol. 6. “ Kata 2. Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai “
By Masatoshi Nakayama
In the Vol. 6 Kata 2. book we are moving into more black belt level stage.
Bassai-Dai and Kanku-Dai are essential for black belt gradings.
Like in Vol. 5. both are documented with pictures to each move / technique, front and top view including text.
Now Nakayama – Sensei is adding examples of bunkai ( application).
Best Karate Vol. 7. “ Kata 3. Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi “
By Masatoshi Nakayama
This book presents the Katas Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi, which are usually learnt around shodan (first black belt) to sandan (third black belt) level.
Again, each move is documented with pictures front and top view as well as text. As this Katas are becoming technically more advanced you will find more pictures of bunkai (application) too.
Best Karate 8. by M. Nakayama
In this book the two Katas Gangaku & Jion are presented step by step.
As in all other Nakayama Kata books, each position can be clearly followed with front and side view pictures.
Both Katas are usually learnt around Shodan to Sandan level.
New techniques,stands and jumps are added to the exitement of the student learning these Katas.
Bunkai options / ideas are supplied for several attacks by hand , foot or Bo ( long stick ).
Best Karate 9. By M. Nakayama
In book number 9. of the M.Nakayama best Karate series we find the Katas Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho and Chinte.
These Katas are in most cases also learnt around Shodan to Sandan level.
The book supplies the usual front and side views of each position in all three Katas.
Nakayama Sensei is illustrating additional bunkai applications; even more of them against attacks with Bo ( long stick ).
We also find additional techniques, which are not found in the previous books of the series.
Best Karate 10. By M. Nakayama
Number 10. of our famous Karate series presents us with the Katas Unsu, Sochin and Nijushiho.
Sochin and Nijushiho would be learnt around Nidan to Sandan level while Unsu is probably more popular from Sandan level upwards.
The presentation of the Katas in the book is as per usual with pictures from front and side view.
As in book 8. and 9. there is an interesting range of additional new techniques illustrated.
We are starting to get a much better idea about the wide range of techniques, stands and moves available in Shotokan Karate.
To make the Katas easier to understand, there is a nice range of exiting Bunkai options given in this book as well.
Best Karate 11. By M. Nakayama
This is the last Kata book of the series. The three Katas listed are Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho and Meikyo.
This are surely higher level Katas, normally learnt from Nidan to Sandan level upwards.
The presentation with front and side view pictures is the same as in the other Kata books of the series.
Once again we are seeing an abundance of so far unseen techniques and moves. Just simply another addition to the already available extensive range.
More Bunkai options are again presented in this book.
Please note that for to us unknown reasons, Nakayama Sensei decided not to include the two Katas Wankan and Ji’in in this Kata series.
“BUBISHI”
The Bibel of Karate
Treasured for centuries by karate’s top masters, the Bubishi is a classic Chinese work on philosophy, strategie, medicine, and technique as they relate to the martial arts. Referred to as ” the bible of karate ” by the famous master Chojun Myagi, for hundreds of years the Bubishi was a secret text passed from master to student in China and later in Okinawa. All of karate’s legendary masters have studied it, or copied messages from it. No other classic work has had as dramatic an impact on the shaping and development of karate as the Bubishi.