Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, but the original was better... :-)
Review: Although not a practitioner of Shotokan Karatedo, I have had an original 1935 copy of this book for many years, when I finally broke down and bought the English translation. I was not disappointed. I do feel however, that Oshima Sensei should have left in the photos of Funakoshi Sensei himself performing the techniques and kata, or at least left in the photos that show womens' self defense, in only from an historical point of view. All in all, though, this book is one of the most comprehensive on the market today.
Rating: 
Summary: Read This Book!!!
Review: As a beginning Shotokan student, this book has been invaluable to me. It covers all the aspects of Shotokan from the body to the mind. It truly is the Master Text.
Rating:
Summary: A library must!
Review: Funakoshi wrote this book at the request of his students. Though I do not study Shotokan Katartedo I feel it is an excellent text book for students of Shotokan and shoud be in every martial artist library regardless of style. Having a collection of kata's from differing styles can only help to increase the understanding of your own style and methods.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on kata by karate's greatest master
Review: Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of modern karate. His style is known as shotokan, from his nickname Shoto. Every karate and tae kwon do style in the world today is descended from Funakoshi. Ancient Korean tae kwon do is a lost art. Modern TKD borrowed heavily from Funakoshi.Nearly 200 of the book's 250 pages are devoted to katas, the choreographed forms of karate. There are 17 katas carefully explained and illustrated. I learned some of these 30 years ago. You forget a lot in 30 years - although not so much if it's been drummed into your head enough. Anyway here they are - move by move, good as new. They are great practice tools for when you don't have a partner. Doing kata is a lot more interesting than repetitive drills.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on kata by karate's greatest master
Review: Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of modern karate. His style is known as shotokan, from his nickname Shoto. Every karate and tae kwon do style in the world today is descended from Funakoshi. Ancient Korean tae kwon do is a lost art. Modern TKD borrowed heavily from Funakoshi. Nearly 200 of the book's 250 pages are devoted to katas, the choreographed forms of karate. There are 17 katas carefully explained and illustrated. I learned some of these 30 years ago. You forget a lot in 30 years - although not so much if it's been drummed into your head enough. Anyway here they are - move by move, good as new. They are great practice tools for when you don't have a partner. Doing kata is a lot more interesting than repetitive drills.
Rating:
Summary: This book has been at my bedside for years. A Shotokan Bible
Review: I love this book. I teach Shotokan Karate and have read and re-read this book hundreds of times. I have no doubts that this book is a difinitive on the subject.If you love Shotokan Karate get your credit card out and order this Book ASAP.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely essential!
Review: I own a fairly good number of karate books, and this book is by far the most useful; it is unsurpassed as an aid for students wanting to refine their kata, and also offers good insight in the basic concepts of what karate-do is. This is not a book you can learn karate from (as if there were such a thing), but for those who already practice, this is a real must-read book. Funakoshi Sensei wrote this book as an aid for students of karate at the request of many of his own students; I believe he succeeded magnificently.
Rating:
Summary: Essential for any karateka in any time
Review: I've made an overview and realized, once more, that the most important of learning karate rests in exhaustive techniques comprehension. More than practice kumite, kata and kihon are the first level of karate's spirit. Kumite is a necessary complement of the two first basis but never comes first. This book has shown it to me clearly.
Rating:
Summary: The most complete text written by the founder of Shotokan.
Review: Many shotokan students do not know of the existance of this book and rely only on books of Master Funakoshi's students or students of the following generations. The other book of Master Funakoshi "Karate-Do Nymon" is translated by Sensei John Teramoto, a Godan of Master Ohshima. The Kyohan exists also in French version translated as well by Master Ohshima.
Rating:
Summary: The most complete text written by the founder of Shotokan.
Review: Many shotokan students do not know of the existance of this book and rely only on books of Master Funakoshi's students or students of the following generations. The other book of Master Funakoshi "Karate-Do Nymon" is translated by Sensei John Teramoto, a Godan of Master Ohshima. The Kyohan exists also in French version translated as well by Master Ohshima.
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