Product Description

A revised edition which includes historical tables and vital striking point charts, as well as information on the past and 20th century karate, kobudo and ti (or te) scene in Okinawa. The author presents important elements of the fighting arts as a whole, along with health-orientated training and the secrets of developing intrinsic energy (ki) circulation. From their roots in China, the historical development of each karate and kobudo system can be traced, via the teachers who formulated them, into the many fragmented styles practised today throughout the world, from Shotokan to Goju-ryu -Okinawa's greatest cultural export.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #776495 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Interestingly this book starts with a useful insight into the failings of many schools of karate to cater for a more holistic approach in the tutelage of martial arts. Mark Bishop lived the martial arts life for 15 years on the Ryukyu Islands off Japan before returning to the UK in 1990. As a result he gained an extensive and expert knowledge in a cross section of oriental self- defence, meditative and manipulation techniques from Karate to Shiatsu. This has allowed him an enviably huge insight into Okinawan karate as a good health aid as well as of course a formidable tool of self-defence. The book delivers a fascinating insight into the origins of karate as a necessary aid of self-defence in an era some five centuries ago when weapons were outlawed in an effort to stop feudalism. An important point that readers with a background in Shotokan karate may be unaware of is that of lineage. Using historical tables the book painstakingly tracks the progress from the earliest practising masters of various schools of karate that lead to the emergence of the unique Okinawan style.

Beginners embarking on karate will find inspiration within these pages and will appreciate detailed illustrations including charts of striking points. The more seasoned martial arts practitioner will perhaps find the advanced practical and theoretic advice--especially the recommendations for developing "ki" energy circulation--the most valuable. This book doesn't provide quick or easy answers but will inspire, educate and improve the pupil's health, fighting performance and perhaps most significantly give an understanding of the Okinawa heritage that they are part of. --Tony Martin

Customer Reviews

Great Historical Work
Mr. Bishop has done an excellent job of researching Okinawan martial arts history. This tome is well written, easy to read, and quite enlightening. Part one describes the Chinese influenced empty-hand arts such as Goju Ryu which I study as well as Uechi Ryu and others. Part two covers the Shoren styles such as Isshin Ryu, Shoren Ryu (there is more than one type), and Kushin Ryu. Part three covers weapons forms such as Matayoshi (which I have also studied) and Ryukyu kobudo. The appendices have great maps and useful information. The book is short, only 173 pages, but interesting. I like the author's personal observations but I wish the book had been a little more in-depth. If you are into lineage this is an essential resource.

An excellent resource book on modern Karate-do
Mark Bishop lived and worked in Okinawa for a period of 20 years. In addition, he spent time training in martial arts in various dojos there concentrating his efforts on Karate and Okinawa Te. This book is a record of the various styles he trained in or visited with, their masters, their histories as recounted to him, the training methods of those masters and also, perhaps most importantly, their attitudes and beliefs concerning the nature and state of the martial arts today.

The only reason to fault this book is as a historical reference. Mark Bishop himself in his introduction highlights the problems of oral history particularly in the ancestrally respectful culture of Okinawa. But more to the point, modern research has discounted many of the oral traditions. However, this is not Bishop's fault merely the result of later research and the oral traditions are interesting in what they reveal of Okinawan masters attitudes towards their teachers and with regard to other styles (some of which is not always pleasant to read).

As an account of the many and varied styles of Okinawa, however, this book is outstanding. Mark Bishop classifies the styles by origin and accounts his meetings with their various masters and teachers, masterfully introducing their ideas in a conversational tone which draws the reader into their world. One has a real sense of sitting at their feet as though one was there in person. Bishop's own comments serve both to clarify any obscure points or opposing views and also to highlight what he felt his teachers thought was important i.e. that Karate is about health and longevity not about combat as such.

The book is also entertaining in terms of its colourful (if ultimately unverifiable) anecdotes by which Mark Bishop seeks to convey that despite their preternatural physical prowess due to long practice many of the revered masters of the past were very much human beings, with all their faults and virtues, rather than the deities they are sometimes presented as being. Taken on this level, whether true or false, these anecdotes teach much.

For anyone seeking to improve their technical grasp of Karate do, the breadth and range of techniques and methods introduced is awesome, particularly the range of equipment that can be used or adapted for training. Bishop also, although cautiously, provides information on pressure points as used in the various schools (something which is the focus of great interest nowadays!).

Finally, the book links Karate to both Kobudo (weaponry) and its predecessors in the art of Okinawa Te and Chinese Gong Fu. In doing so, Mark Bishop did indeed set a historological precedent which others have followed discounting previous beliefs about the origins of Karate as a peasant art.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to look outside the narrow confines of their own style and to see the broad sweep of Karate do. I would also recommend it as a starting place for exploring and experimenting with different Karate training methods. Although I can no longer recommend it as a historical textbook, it is nevertheless still a useful source of oral traditions concerning Karate which tell much about the culture in which it was born.

In short, an excellent resource book on modern Karate do.

History of Okinawan Karate
I found this book to be an excellent introduction to all of the martial arts in Okinawa. Mr. Bishop tries to write something about all of the differrent styles, their techniques and the lineage. Dates are given where possible with photos and skecthes where necessary. Very entertaining read.