The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary martial arts master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do. Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over 1,000 photographs to document eighteen classic karate kata (preset forms) and seven yakusoku kumite (prearranged partner exercises), as well as basic techniques. This book is a precise and easily accessible pictorial guide to performance and perfection of traditional karate. The only book in English with photos of one of the great prewar masters demonstrating the proper execution of Okinawan karate, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do is a bridge between karate's legendary past and the practitioners of today. This ingenious and imaginative text explains the historical landmarks in the development of style, vividly outlines its leading forms and techniques, and recalls noted Okinawan karate men of the past, including the author's teachers Ankichi Arakaki, Choki Motobu, and Chotoku Kyan.

A guide to goju-ryu fundamentals that narrates the author's personal history of Okinawan goju-ryu karate. It covers advanced kata, its evolution and its importance. It features step-by-step photographs that show the advanced techniques of shorei-kan karate, including stances, strikes, blocks, kicks and two-man training styles.

Progression is a positive trait, as long as one keeps in touch with the past and has a staple backdrop to focus or fall back on. Although the Revised Expanded Third Edition contains all the wording and photographs that are reproduced in both the first edition, as well as this Revised and Expanded Second Edition, it comparatively represents a step into what was, for these latter two books, the future. The year 2019, in which I am writing this foreword, represents respectively 30 years and 20 years into the future since the publication of these two books, so I think this faithful reproduction of the Master Version by Q&I Publications is well timed. For some readers it might bring about nostalgia, for others it might be an eye-opener into a world that is not always truthfully represented, due to commercial or other reasons. For the teachers who I interviewed and have been embodied herein, I hope this Master Version will remain a testament into how they wished to be represented for time immemorial.

An instructive text on the etiquette, kata, stances and powerful techniques of the renowned goju-ryu system as practiced in Okinawa. Includes a detailed section on sanchin breathing and step-by-step photos with foot patterns.

The Essential Karate Book is an informative, illustrated guide to the techniques, philosophy and practice of karate. With 20 chapters covering practically every aspect of karate, this in-depth reference will assist students and instructors as they plot their course through karate instruction, benefiting those at all levels. The Essential Karate Book contains 200 diagrams mapping out moves with 300 step-by-step photographs and companion videos, making it a comprehensive general karate reference for Western audiences. Readers of this karate guide will learn about: Stances, blocks, strikes and kicks Preparing your body through warm-ups, stretching, and conditioning through karate-specific exercises Kata grading and fighting (kumite) techniques and competition rules Martial arts weapons (kobudo), and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) applications The origins and history of karate Required behavior, clothing and etiquette, as well as the fundamentals of karate and the different styles that share them The Essential Karate Book is a must-have for any martial arts enthusiast, from beginners to black belts!

Tsuku Kihon refers to powerful and dynamic techniques used and taught by some Shotokan karate instructors. The idea behind Tsuku Kihon is that power and closing distance are greatly enhanced by propelling the body forward using basic karate principles. A group of approximately 25 Tsuku Kihon combinations was developed by several Shotokan instructors in the middle of the 20th century. Sensei Luis Bernardo Mercado decided to expand and categorize Tsuku Kihon in order to increase its applications and to create a formal structure for teaching them. Many months of trial and error by the author of this book resulted in an additional 42 combinations and three methods by which Tsuku Kihon can be systematically taught to intermediate and advanced karate students. This second edition of Tsuku Kihon is expanded to include several more exercises that will help practitioners improve their skills in this art form. Chapter 3 is for instructors to use as an introduction of Tsuku Kihon to beginners below brown belt. These exercises teach how to drop into an attack and end up in a complete front stance. Chapters 10 and 11 are meant for advanced students who have been training in Tsuku Kihon for about one year. Using the heavy bag and makiwara will sharpen skill at all levels and improve kime and distancing. Chapter 14 integrates sweeps into Tsuku Kihon combinations, which will raise kumite to a higher level of proficiency. Together, these additional drills will make for a more rounded martial arts practitioner, competitor, and improve self-defense capabilities. Another great addition to this updated book is beautiful artwork by Nobu Kaji (tsuku kihon, kihon, and kata techniques), Egil Thompson (samurai scene drawings) and Mike Thompson (wood inlay artwork for back cover). All these original works of art give a sense of real action and martial arts spirit.

In this book, I will introduce traditional karate terminology and its technique. My intent is to aid current karate students' technical progress and deepen prospective students' interest in karate.

Master the techniques and warrior spirit of karate with this illustrated martial arts guide. The true essence of karate-do is integrated training of the body, mind, and spirit to achieve human potential fully. Karate: Technique and Spirit describes in detail all the steps necessary to attain this goal. It is a book of Karate technique, a guideline for training, and a patient exposition of moral philosophy. Kaicho (grandmaster) Nakamura takes us from the basics--warmups, punches, blocks, and kicks--to the advanced practice of traditional weapons and kumite (sparring), all the while grounding the physical expression of this martial art in its rich history and philosophy. With over 700 photos, Karate: Technique and Spirit vividly conveys the essence of karate-do and how it can bring deeper meaning to our daily lives. Chapters include: Foundations of Karate; Basics of Karate-Do; Postures and Stances; Natural Weapons; Kata (Formal Exercises); Kumite (Fighting) and more!