Books about Shotokan from Amazon.com

What is Kata?

A kata is a series of defensive and offensive moves against imaginary attacks from different directions. Also, a kata includes many moves for physical exercise and for connection to subsequent moves rather than for actual application.

Why practice Kata?

Because of the tension of fighting, it is difficult to maintain tranquility in order to examine and understand the details of techniques during sparring. Therefore, Kata are made for studying the details of the external movements.

Why this Kata book?

1. All movements are illustrated by drawing insted of photographs. Therefore, you can understand the movements more clearly.

2. The drawings employ a three dimensional perspective and use compass points for easy orientation.

3. To complete the learning of each Kata, the rhythm and timing of movements are clearly described.

4. For clear understanding, step by step explanations accompany each diagram.

Note: Instructions provided in English, Spanish and Japanese..
Price: $25.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Learn how the hard-style karate that became shotokan took shape in 19th century Okinawa as an embattled king with an unarmed force of bodyguards faced an armed invasion from overseas. In this new 328-page book, author Bruce D. Clayton, Ph.D., uses rare sketches, footnoted historical research, archival lithographs, period photographs and contemporary technique demonstrations to reveal shotokan’s deadly intent and propose modern practical applications of such knowledge. Achieve a new level of theoretical understanding and fighting ability by learning Shotokan’s Secret for yourself!.
Price: $7.31 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Many of the kata performed today in Shotokan Karate were created centuries ago by the pioneering karate masters as a means of practising and remembering the myriad of basic techniques that made up their style. The kata are of vital significance as they provide a vehicle for understanding and developing skill in performing these techniques..
Price: $19.66 [Notify me when price goes down.]

A detailed and unique training resource, Lessons with the Master is a meticulous account of the teaching methods and lesson strategies of world-famous karate master Hirokazu Kanazawa, chief instructor and president of the Shotokan Karate International Federation of Japan.

Author and karate instructor Paul Walker spent three years studying karate under the direct guidance of Master Kanazawa and his expert instructors and has now compiled his diary entries of those years into this easy-to-understand reference for all students and instructors of Shotokan karate. Lessons with the Master offers ideas, tips, and guidance on the use of authentic Shotokan karate-do to supplement and improve current training and drill-teaching.

Using the database of lessons, the additional explanations on lesson components, and the many other instructional tips, students and coaches can design an endless number of coherent and effective workouts and incorporate them seamlessly into their regular karate training. Detailed lesson notes, a glossary, and Walker’s engaging anecdotes make Lessons with the Master an indispensable resource for all karate practitioners..
Price: $21.53 [Notify me when price goes down.]

The first comprehensive written history of Shotokan karate in any language! In this completely revised edition of the classic bestseller, Randall G. Hassell covers recent developments in the art of Shotokan Karate-do. Rare and never-before-published photos complement everything from the Okinawan roots of karate to the JKA in Japan and the United States, American karate organizations, and the current state of karate. Also in this edition: A chronology of Shotokan Karate, the origins of all Shotokan kata, a genealogy of traditional karate, and much more..
Price: $12.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This book is for the beginner to the Balck belt. With illustrations with all instrucitons..
Price: $7.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This text presents a history of Japanese karate in Asia and the West, and also provides instructions for students of Shotokan. Part One traces its roots from India, through China to Okinawa in Japan, and Part Two, illustrated with 600 photographs and 20 line drawings, includes instructions for Kumite (sparring drills), and nine Kata (forms), two of which - sochin and nijushiho - are rarely seen in English-language publications..
Price: $5.05 [Notify me when price goes down.]

A Kata is fighting, self-defence, precision and dynamic force all in one. It represents a fascinating multitude of logical, sequential techniques, with which the Karateka can demonstrate what he can do regarding his body control, powers of persuasion, perfection and fighting spirit. The repertoire of Shotokan Karate contains 26 Kata in all. The Master Kata described in this work belong to the advanced part of the repertoire and carry on from the 17 basic and advanced Kata introduced in Volume 1. This then completes the list of all the Shotokan Karate Kata. There are 9 Kata with Bunkai in this book: Sochin, Meikyo, Chinte, KankuSho, Wankan, Ji'in, Jitte, Gankaku, Unsu. There are approximately 600 photographs and detailed descriptions, which allow a deeper understanding of the Kata and their application. Armed with this information, it should be easy now for the Karateka to be able to improve himself in his routine training, grading tests and competition..
Price: $10.72 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Karate the Japanese Way is a text for the beginner to karate. Written from the perspective of a karate student and instructor living in Japan, the reader gets a first-hand perspective of how karate really works, how Japanese teachers run their classes, and how to best find a good place to train. Karate the Japanese Way is a book that will answer the questions that North American teachers have difficulty finding answers for, and de-mystifies some of the mis-information that students to karate may have heard. Written in a frank and conversational manner, this book is one which gives the reader a "rear-view window" into a traditional karate training hall, explains the customs and methods, and explores some of the underlying ideas behind karate. The is how karate is done, the Japanese way..
Price: $22.50 [Notify me when price goes down.]