Karate Books

The Nakayama Best Karate Series

Here are the missing books (Thanks to Hans for completing the list!) of Nakayama Senseis’ Best Karate series:

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.

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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.

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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.

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Best Karate Vol. 6. “ Kata 2. Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai “
By Masatoshi Nakayama

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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).

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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.