We all know the meaning of the word kata. Even to nonpractitioners it is a familiar karate practice. Plus, the word has long been incorporated into the English language. For this reason I choose to write the plural as “katas,” and not follow the Japanese tradition where “kata” can be both singular or plural. By doing this I’ve ruffled feathers already, since many hold such a sacred bond with the time and place where karate took shape. Trouble with one word? Now how about the whole Okinawan martial tradition as passed on through katas? A kata is much like a family jewel that has passed down through generations. It holds a significance that is difficult to decipher, and many dispute the meaning of every micromovement it contains. Who created it? What are the applications? Is kata practice outdated? Is there more than we can see and understand? You bet. It is precisely because of the confusion and misunderstandings regarding the place of kata in the karate tradition that we are thrilled to present a two-volume e-book on this subject. If katas are learning tools that pass down knowledge of a valued art, then the authors included in this anthology can certainly facilitate the learning process for all interested in karate. Each author has excellent experience in the field, having studied directly under masters, often on the largest island in the Ryukyu island chain. In addition to their long years of physical participation in the school of hard knocks, their depth of scholarly research into the encompassing culture allows their writings to illuminate many aspects of kata practice that normally go unnoticed. In our quest to better understand the full significance of kata practice, we must take a serious look at why old masters formulated the routines. How can kata practice better our health and promise to hone our self-defense skills? Each chapter in this anthology deals with the principles that guide kata practice. Hopefully the reading will reveal some of the secrets to improving techniques. As with other martial traditions, some insights cannot be shared through written word. Like good teachers, may the chapters here inspire you to look deeper into kata practice.

Traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate and Kobujutsu in Kenshikai Attitude According to Dr. Hokama Tetsuhiro

A Goju Ryu Guidebook: The Kogen Kan Manual for Karate gives the reader a tool to navigate the history, exercises, equipment, techniques, kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) of Okinawan Goju Ryu Karatedo. The purpose of this guidebook is to serve as a training aid in furthering the development of karate students and instructors from the Kogen Kan specifically and all karate students generally; however, if it helps only one person, then I will consider it a success. Please keep in mind that much of this information is in notation form and may only make sense with proper instruction. This guidebook is only a tool to help in the retention of instruction and is not a substitute for it. Also, please keep in mind, that although others have assisted with this guidebook, all errors are my own. This guidebook is formatted in such a way as to be the beginnings of a filing and retrieval system. As each student collects more information, they can organize it by adding it to the "notes" area of the respective sections. It is hoped that all students will research, collect and share material about karate. It is this type of systematic approach that brings science to the art. It is also written so that a lesson plan can be developed quickly by choosing one or more activities from several sections. If more details are needed while teaching, they can quickly referenced in the rest of the manual. Each chapter is given a table of contents to further hasten referencing. It has a spiral coil binding so it will lay flat for easy viewing during training. Large font also helps in referencing the information from a distance. Much of this guidebook is written in Japanese. This is done for two reasons: first, it is important to learn Japanese, as it will help standardize everyone's martial arts training; and secondly, this will help keep this information in the purview of the serious. It is a barrier, which will hopefully weed out some who may not use the martial arts for purposes which they were intended, namely the protection of self and others. Thank you for reading this guidebook. Michael P. Cogan, MSE

Pat McCarthy, a shorinji-ryu stylist and triple-crown winner of the North American Karate Championships in 1974, demonstrates 11 karate kata. A detailed history of Okinawan karate and biographies of 37 of its greatest patriarchs are also included.

The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.

The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.