Rating: 
Summary: A long time classic
Review: Master Funakoshi's book gives a lot of information about the Shuri-te systems and explores others within the Okinawan KArate styles too. The one blessing with this book is the massive amount of pictures showing how the early Shoto-kan kata were performed. All are done by Japanese Karate-ka, students of Funakoshi in a traditional dojo, hardwood floors, and wearing only white GI's. The pictures give a step by step account of how the kata are performed along with diagrams showing the stepping sequences. This is one of thsoe books written well before Karate came to the United States, and its spirit is both refreshing and inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Shotokan Text
Review: Probably the best resource for all serious karateka, whether one is in a traditional dojo, or following a more up-to-date style. Seeing the origins and the evolution of the style is important in any serious study of the martial arts.
Rating:
Summary: An karate bible
Review: The best karate book ever writen, by the best karate mester ever. Master Funakoshi wrote everything, from the history of karate to the most advenced katas. Good photos, printing and translation. Exelent for karate students, senseis, or anybory wanting to learn about this so complex and spiritual art.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a Master Text
Review: THE definitive text of Shotokan.A correction. Another reviewer made the statement that all other styles of Karate are descended from Shotokan. Not So! There are numerous styles practiced in Okinawa, the best known being Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, and Uechi-Ryu. All non-Okinawan styles (and Isshin-Ryu) are variants on Shorin-Ryu or Goju-Ryu (or a combination of both), sometimes with concepts/techniques added from non-Karate traditions.
Rating:
Summary: Focus is everything.
Review: The text in this book very enlightening. I recomend this book to all people, from the begginer to the most advanced pupil of the Art. Master Funakoshi expresses his ideas and methods very well.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic of Japanese Karate-do
Review: There are few books which can compare with Funakoshi's master text. Although the style which I practice lies outside of the lineage of the system presented here, I have always admired this book's clean setup and the clear exposition of the principles which epitomize the Japanese style(s). The katas are taught as well as can be expected given a book format. It is clear from the writing that Funakoshi loved his art. It is also clear that he could USE his art if the need arose. A close reading of his explanation of applications will confirm that his knowledge extended beyond the "block,punch,block,strike" stage.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic of Japanese Karate-do
Review: There are few books which can compare with Funakoshi's master text. Although the style which I practice lies outside of the lineage of the system presented here, I have always admired this book's clean setup and the clear exposition of the principles which epitomize the Japanese style(s). The katas are taught as well as can be expected given a book format. It is clear from the writing that Funakoshi loved his art. It is also clear that he could USE his art if the need arose. A close reading of his explanation of applications will confirm that his knowledge extended beyond the "block,punch,block,strike" stage.
Rating:
Summary: Work of Art!
Review: There are ton of books and manuals that have a hard time coming close to this one. While reading this you get a good feel that "he's done this before". You can tell his is a professional and loves his work... this makes it easy to read and learn -- from the 4 other books I've bought on the subject and trained with - this one easily outshine the others...
Rating:
Summary: Classic work by the master
Review: This book is a must have for Shotokan as well as other stylists. The photos are excellent and the presentation of the forms is equally good. An important feature is the footwork diagrams, missing in many otherwise good kata books. The book is mostly katas, and up till this time it was the only book documenting the more advanced forms. To my knowledge, it is still the only book that has the Ten No Kata Omote form. There are 19 forms in all. Senior Egami does a great job with the form demonstrations. There are about 30 forms in all in the Shotokan style. I only hope that someone does a book someday with all of them. Nakayama has done some further books with 2 or 3 of the advanced forms per book, but I'd like to see them all under one cover some day. However, someone who masters the 19 forms in this book should have considerable skill and power.
Rating:
Summary: A must have !
Review: This book is great in every aspect. First, the layout is great, quality paper with very well done illustrations and great photographic material. Second, the text by Masetr Funakoshi is very pleasant and interesting to read, really enjotable. And third the katas are demonstrated with great technique and much detail (written and pictures). Be sure to get this book if you are serously interersted in Shotokan Karate-Do. I must mention although that the book is 3/4 of Katas and 1/4 of everything else, so if you think you will be bored with pages and pages of katas dmonstartion, think about it twice. Overall, I find it excellent.
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