Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate (Japanese Arts)

Rating:
Summary: For a good reference call....
Review: At the time it was published, there were very few good references on karate and karate history. Since then however, there have been many excellent texts and articles, including some from the same author.

While the kara descriptions are excellent, with good photography showing the movements and how they should be done, the kata themselves are not classical versions. They are rather versions taught by Richard Kim, which don't always agree with the originals taught in Okinawa.

Also, there are a fair number of incorrect historical references and incorrect translations of kata names (and the kanji is not included either), making most other current history books much more desireable.

This would only be a "must have" book is you are in the lineage of Richard Kim and want a kata reference, for which it would serve nicely.

Rating:
Summary: For a good reference call....
Review: Or not. I was very disappointed with this book. Being a youngster in martial arts and having only studied in kobayashi for 6 years, when I moved, I was forced to take up under matsubayashi. Well, I like to research things first so I know what I am getting into, and I picked up this book. Granted, the information at its start concerning the historical teachers in the lineage is interesting, it overall the bookk didn't have anything new, or unique that could be found better explained in other texts. If you want a book, Get 'The Essence of Okinawan Krate-Do'. If you want a history lesson, go ahead and pick up Mark Bishops 'Okinawan Karate - Teachers, Styles, and Secret Techniques'. Not only are these two books more useful, they are probably more accurate.

Rating:
Summary: Don`t judge a book by its cover.
Review: The cover looks nice but the title is decieving as there is nothing classical about the kata in this book. The forms are from Richard kim and there are differences from those practised in Okinawa.For accurate piece of history see Nagamine Shoshin`s "Essence Of Okinawan Karate".I would like to add that the lack of explanation for the kata and applications makes this even less useful to the general karate practitioner.I ask what can be gained from this book,Very little.those who practise Richard Kims school of karate may find this useful for reference to their kata positions but thats it.My advice look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Not classical nor okinawan! Book should be revised!
Review: The kata versions presented in this book are not classical nor okinawan... period!
OK, the book was issued long ago in a time little was known about the subject BUT books CAN and MUST be revised and updated when the author is still living (thats what 2nd and further editions are for!). If not, a continuously re-issued obsolete innaccurate work becomes an anomaly such as this book, misleading prospective buyers and giving a questionable contribution for the actual knowledge of traditional karate!

Rating:
Summary: not totally informed?
Review: Those who say the kata in this book are not "classical" should be informed or reminded that the style Shorinji-Ryu was created in the late 1940's, so you're not going to find the Heian katas, or other "centuries old" katas of Shotokan or other, older karate systems. For example, the nijushi (or nijishio) kata in Shorinji-ryu is different than the shotokan version, so don't judge this book by that alone.
I can't comment on the book itself, as I havn't read it, but I wanted to clarify this point for those reading the reviews.

Rating:
Summary: not totally informed?
Review: Those who say the kata in this book are not "classical" should be informed or reminded that the style Shorinji-Ryu was created in the late 1940's, so you're not going to find the Heian katas, or other "centuries old" katas of Shotokan or other, older karate systems. For example, the nijushi (or nijishio) kata in Shorinji-ryu is different than the shotokan version, so don't judge this book by that alone.
I can't comment on the book itself, as I havn't read it, but I wanted to clarify this point for those reading the reviews.