Product Description

The one constant feature of karate training, at all levels, is the Kata. These are formal, technical sequences which are the basis of all proper practice. This volume covers the first 13 Shotokan Kata, with each move fully illustrated and accompanied by an investigation of the Kata's application.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #276271 in Books
• Published on: 1995-07-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

Very helpful
this book is very helpful where it comes to learning the detail of the kata. The applications help you to understand what you're doing and so are very helpful.

Nice clear photos and explanations of the Kata meanings
If you want to learn Kata, then this book is one of the most helpful. If you want to learn proper bunkai, then the applications within the book will help you start to look at the kata differently.

Look at Rick Clark's "Martial Arts for the University", for a revelation as to how Tekki Shodan can be used.

Otherwise, this book is definitely worth the money!

not very much about bunkai
The book is filled with step-by-step walktroughs of the katas. Every kata begin with a good and thorough steptrough, then follows one or two applications for a few choosen techniques in the kata, and then a second steptrough with smaller pictures. And then on to the next kata.
But the layout is very good, and the pictures first rate.

Unfortunaly, what little bunkai (or applications to use english) there is, is also very unconvincing and unrealistic to say the least.

I have heard that this book was written while the author was still a competitor (and competitors generaly dont have time to study what wont score them points in a competition -like applications), and that he since then has started to research deeper into kata and application. I hope so, because this book is close to a lowpoint in application presentation.

I give it two stars, but that is because it is a good book if you need a steptrough of the katas.
The bunkai part, which is why I originaly bought the book, only deserves a single star.

To sum it up:
If you are looking for a book that will introduce you to the world of kata applications. Keep looking -this is not it. If you need a guide to remember your katas, this book might be useful.