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Summary: From the Mouth of the Master
Review: Ginchin Funakoshi has been credited with modernizing karate. He is also the first to open a dojo (karate school) in Tokyo. Whether he is actually the father of modern Karate or not is not relevant because he is truly a recognized Grand-Master. This is his story of both his life, karate, and the philosophies the martial artist follows. He also explodes some of the more famous myths that seem to surround karate and other martial arts such as ripping a man's heart out with your bare hands.
Funakoshi writes about his masters and the differences between karate then and now. He writes about the change of his culture during the late nineteenth century and the resistance with the Samarai families. He explains the dedication and hardships he endured to open Shotokan (the first karate school). He does not weave a tale of woe. He actually understates the case and leaves it to the reader to grasp the obvious. It is this understating that is the true beauty of this book. He writes about having to hurt a would be attacker and then feeling that he failed in his quest of martial arts. Funakoshi states time and again the artist does not use his art to harm and he feels that it is true failure to lower oneself to the use of violence. His anecdotes is how a true master is able to avoid physical conflict.
This book is a great read for both the martial artist and non-artist. I am a student of karate, but not Shotokan and this book is incredibly important to me. This is not a how to, but the story of the develpoment of a grand-master. Highly Recommended.
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Summary: Excellent insite to what the true meaning of Karate is
Review: Gives an autobiographical view of the development of Karate and what its true meaning is. You must read this to really understand what Karate training is and what it is meant to be. Understanding the teachings of Funakoshi Sensei helps you understand that Karate is not about fighting - but rather learning how not to fight and make yourself a better person at the same time.
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Summary: Ichiban
Review: Having recently taken up Shotokan Karate relatively late in life, I wanted to learn more about its origins and about the personality of its seminal figure. I don't think I could have chosen a better book for these purposes. Gichin Funakoshi was a truly inspirational person. His single-minded determination and dedication promoted an obscure, traditional Okinawan martial art into a worldwide phenomenon. Indeed, the popularity of all martial arts owes much to Funakoshi's efforts. His humility and inner strength are abundantly shown in the anecdotes he relates, and his embodiment of bushido is something all practitioners can, and should, aspire to.
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Summary: This book is really the great book for everybody.
Review: I am also the karate player, but still not the good one. Before, I used to think that karate is only the matter of punching and kicking. Anyway after I have a good chance to read this book, I know more about the meaning of Karate-do. And I think it's really a good book not only for the karate player, but also for everybody. Although sensei Funakoshi was very old when he wrote this book, I think it doesn't matter. He wrote it with his sole from his 90-year experience.
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Summary: Great book for any of the traditional shotokan karate.
Review: I have trained a few years in special fighting tactics (kumite) in shotokon and main purpose was for tournament. A couple years later i found out, I was headed to the wrong way. Shotokan is not about just fighting. It's about internal thinking, discipline,passion and love. Many years now, I do not have much skills left but the discipline remains. This book is what summarizes my experience. Overall, it teaches one to be a better person. This book is great for new shotokan karate do learner who wants to know the true shotokan karate. I wish the book is thicker and capture more about Master Funaksohi. EQ
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Summary: The Point is Communicated
Review: I was overwhelmed by the feeling this book and this man generated. Even though the book resembles a brief of his memoirs, Funakoshi communicates the attitude, mood, and a small glimpse of the mindset one should bring to the study of karate. One might find the humble nature of this man's writings subtly profound in many aspects. The expectations I had before reading the tome were cleverly diverted, and my appreciation of karate of which I am a student grew immeasurably. I find myself recalling points he mentioned during my training sessions, other tasks in my daily routine, and even personal situations.
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Summary: Gives a feeling of the essence of the art.
Review: If there was one book, that all karateka, regardless style, rank, or age, should read, this would be it.
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Summary: "The way it was!"
Review: If you want to know how was the life of a Karate student in the early days you must have this book. The only negative point is the total lack of information about the Naha (as important as Shuri's) Karate-do branch.
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Summary: Good Shotokan Karate history.
Review: Karate-Do, My Way of Life is as much a biography of the author as a history of his style. This book outlines a tremendous dedication to the study of martial arts, even at times when the practice was banned by the Japanese government. Funakoshi shows the benifits of his art, Shotokan Karate, (longevity, physical fitness . . .) as well as his humble strength and stamina. The time period covered is from the turn of the century as the warrior class was being disbanded in Japan and Okinawa, through the sixties at which time Funakoshi had worked throughout his life to make karate and martial arts mainstream pursuits
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Summary: Should be a model for every martial artist!
Review: My sensei gave me this book as a gift, to help enlighten me to the many different aspects of karate training as it applies to other aspects of one's life. The message(s) is(are) heard loud and clear. This small book points out in many ways, aspects of karate training that apply to everyday life. Many people miss this when they read this book because they don't have a personal connection to martial arts, or perhaps because they underestimate the impact martial arts had on the particular asian culture in which Funakoshi lived. As he points out in the text, the place in which he lived was a dangerous one, and it served him well to think practically and to be faithful to the martial arts. Martial arts had changed his life positively and in numerous and immeasurable ways, not only because of their utility but also because the precepts learned could be applied to a morally sound way to live life. This way of life is simple, moral, practical, and at times scholarly. Unfortunately, much of this type of philosophy has been lost to commericialism, and "Americanized" martial arts/artists would do well to revisit the important concepts Funakoshi spoke of so long ago. It would improve their own way of life and conceiveably the lives of others. This book is a must read for any serious traditional martial artist who seeks enlightenment and wisdom from a karate master of the past.
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