Best Buy Shotokan Karate Books

Karate is one of the most popular of the Japanese martial arts. It exploded onto the scene when Funakoshi Gichin, a master of the art of Te, as it was then known, moved from his native Okinawa to the Japanese island of Honshu in 1957 and began teaching the art he then called Karate - Empty Hand. Strangely, this most Japanese of arts was little known in mainland Japan. However, its efficacy as a system of training and self-defence was immediately apparent, and the art went from strength to strength from then on. It has never looked back.

Anyone can practice karate, from children to pregnant women and elderly people. It teaches discipline, agility, balance, flextibility, strength and speed, and is one of the most comprehensive systems of self-defence there is. Unlike some of the more warlike arts, the emphasis is on defence, not aggression, making it an excellent art for children to learn.

Whilst you cannot learn a martial art solely from a book, coupled with regular tuition, books illustrating techniques can be invaluable. Below are some of the best books on the market to aid in the study and practice of Shotokan Karate.

These three books were written by Kanazawa Hirokazu specifically for students of the Skotokan Karate International Federation ("SKIF").

The books cover all the techniques required for practising Karate with SKIF and for successful gradings, including kihon (basic moves), kata (patterns or forms), kihon ippon (one-step sparring) and jiyu ippon (semi-free sparring).

These instructional books, together with the extensive use of photography, provide an excellent guide for students either new to SKIF, preparing for a grading, or seeking further enlightenment on correct posture and technique.

These books are an essential guide to any SKIF student.

Written by Kanazawa Hirokazu, 10th Dan black belt and founder of the Shotokan Karate International Federation ("SKIF"), The Complete Kata provides an illustrated guide to all thirty-two kata of the Shotokan style.

Illustrated with over three thousand black and photographs of Kanazawa himself, each picture is accompanied by a detailed description of the direction of movement, stance and technique involved. It is an excellent book for learning new kata and checking for correct technique.

The Complete Kata provides an invaluable guide to beginners and advanced students alike and is a must for the serious karateka.

This book, along with its partner 5th Kyu to Black Belt, provides a complete and comprehensive syllabus for students training under the JKA - Japan Karate Association. This Association is worldwide, with clubs in hundreds of countries, and students numbering in the millions.

Enoeda Keinosuke reached 8th Dan black belt, training with Kanazawa Hirokazu and under Funakoshi Gichin himself, the "Father of Modern Karate". Known as "The Tiger", he wrote many books and competed in many, many competitions in both kumite (fighting) and kata (forms or patterns).

His books give detailed instruction on what is required for each grading under the JKA rules and is clearly illustrated to help students learn the new techniques and kata required to achieve their next belt.

The two books, bought together, provide an excellent source of information for the dedicated karate practitioner, and are highly recommended by JKA instructors (sensei) worldwide.

This book contains the Twenty Principles Funakoshi Gichin thought essential to the complete physical, mental, emotional and spiritual practice of Shotokan Karate.

It does not cover karate phsically, that is its techniques, but discusses the historical precepts of karate, moral lessons, snippets of legend and advice, and is a wonderful book for anyone seeking a better way of life trough the practice of a martial art.

Many of the actual principles themselves have been the source of intense debate, for example "There is no first attack in karate". With Funakoshi's commentary exlpaining his principles printed alongside, this book gives a much clearer idea of what he meant by his original advice. As a treatise on martial arts and moral living, The Twenty Principles is an invaluable book of advice.

Kanazawa won many tournament kumite matches and was All Japan Champion and World Champion in his early karate career, winning one championship despite having broken a bone in his heel.

Here he presents a comprehensive and complete guide to tournament kumite. Note this is not a guide to karate on the street or in a real self-defence situation, but a guide to winning competition fights by utilising some of the simplest but most devastating combinations of techniques in the karateka's arsenal.

Lavishly illustrated, this great book is a vital source of information for anyone karateka wishing to hone their tournament kumite ability.

Like Enoeda's two books on progressing to black belt, Kanazawa's book provides a detailed and systematic approach to the techniques required to take a novice to black belt level. With diligent practice several times per week, this can be achieved in around one year.

Beginning with the proper way to make a fist, Black Belt Karate starts with the fundamentals and works it way up to black belt kata and techniques. Furnished with in-depth explanations and a plethora of excellent photographs, Black Belt Karate is a must have book for beginning and intermediate karate students.