No comments about Orthodox Goju Ryu.

2 comments about Goju Ryu Karate Do: Fundamentals for Traditional Practitioners.

1. It was a very good book. It explains in full detail the history of Goju-ryu karate. It also has step by step instructions for katas with black and white pictures. Almost every page has a picture. This book also has a glossary with the Japanese terms translated from Japanese to English and English to Japanese with the phoenetic pronunciation. Motoo Yamakura is a very good martial arts writer.



2. This is the most informative series on Goju Ryu in print. Absolutely a must for all goju-ryu karate-ka.

No comments about A Goju Ryu Guidebook: The Kogen Kan Manual for Karate.

5 comments about Traditional Karate-Do: Okinawa Goju Ryu : The Fundamental Techniques (Traditional Karate-Do).

1. M. Higaonna's work is a high quality technical manual of an Okinawan Martial Art known as Goju-ryu Kara-te. Higaonna's book is one of a VERY few which are of sufficent quality that it COULD temporarily assist a practitioner (or someone merely curious re: Gojuryu Karate's technique (of a very popular exercise: Sanchin Kata) until a teacher can be found. The ONLY problem with the book is two fold. 90% of the book is photos, postage stamp sized photos ! Publishing Insanity !!! Secondly, the book is written in english, and yet at CRITICAL points in its description slips into Japanese. Un-necessary & poorly planned in this readers opinion.



2. The 5 volumes of Higaonna Sensei's traditional karate-do is the most extensive and well researched manual I've ever read. Each volume contains step by step bunkai of each kata as well as thoroughly researched history of Chojun Miyagi Sensei and of karate itself. Each move is described in japanese terminology plain and simple. Having just joined okinawan goju-ryu from Shotokan, and currently san kyu, this book is a must for any karate-ka. The detailed step by step kata pictures actually help you in your kata when you need to know certain moves or are learning new ones. I highly recommend these manuals.



3. I think this book is absolutely great. As someone new to karate (3 months practice),I find the series of pictures for each kata excellent. By viewing the pictures closely, you can observe the individual details of the stances and postures etc. as a kata is performed. I find I am forever reaching for the book as I practice the katas at home. Money well spent.

   Owen Evans, UK




4. A really excellent book that shows a beginner exactly what he needs to know in terms of stances, blocks, punching techniques etc. I bought this book after 2 or 3 lessons at my dojo. I felt confused by the blocking and strikes movements, my arms where all over the place. The book identifies eack block and strike in a series of pictures that help to pin point each step involved. This book is well worth the price.

   Owen Evans, UK




5. This is a description of the four-volume series by Goju Ryu Karate mavin Morio Higaonna. In it he details the complete Goju Ryu syllabus as passed down to his teachers, Ei'ichi Miyazato and Anichi Miyagi. Miyazato and A. Miyagi in turn learned directly from the founder of Goju Ryu Karate, Chojun Miyagi, a distinguished student of Kanryo Higaonna who learned martial arts in Fukien Province and also on Okinawa. This is simply the best series of books out there on Goju Ryu in any language! The photography is incredible, all techniques are shown with stop-motion photography, and there are many transitional photographs showing the complete execution of every technique. This series is the "bible" of Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do. I'm going to give you a break down by volume since all four seem to get put together here...
   
   Volume 1: Fundamental Techniques
   Higaonna demonstrates Miyagi's original Junbi Undo (warm up), completely goes over all topics such as stances, traditional exercise routine with the chiishi (stone weights) shown in 187 photographs, Nigiri Game (gripping Jars) shown in 109 photographs, how to train on the Makiwara, how to construct a Makiwara, training with the Ishisashi (stone padlocks) is a sequence shown in 118 photographs, also covered are tan (barbell), tetsu geta (iron sandals), tou (bamboo bundle), jari bako (sand training), and an implement unique to Goju Ryu, the kongo ken. The depth with which all of these are explained and covered is phenomenal!
   
   Next is the section on fundamental technique with complete coverage of stance work, striking and kicking. Then a treatis on Kore-ate (2 man forearm training). For those who believe that all karate is stiff and unbending, this book may change your mind. There is a section on tai-sabaki (movement, and a special treat in the last chapter--the COMPLETE SANCHIN as passed down from Kanryo Higaonna to Chojun Miyagi to Anichi Miyagi to Morio Higaonna. This is the original turning Sanchin Kanryo Higaonna brought back from Fukien Province in China. Researchers believe this particular sanchin came either from White Crane style, or from Fujian Tiger Gung Fu. Morio Higaonna demonstrates the complete for in the traditional (for men at least) shirtless manner. 162 photographs with complete description illustrate this Foundational form of the Goju Ryu Karate School.
   
   Volume 2: Performances of the Kata
   Higaonna goes over the charicteristics of Okinawan Goju-ryu, and then the demonstration of the first kata, the Chojun Miyagi Sanchin (different from the Kanryo Higaonna Sanchin in the first book). Included after this are in-depth renderings of kata Gekisai-dai Ichi, Gekisai-dai-ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, and Sanseiru. Bunkai is shown separately in successive volumes....
   
   Volume 3: Applications of the Kata Part I
   Opens with an introductory note from Xing Yang-ling, Morio Higaonna on Bunkai, and then the remainder of the Goju Ryu Karate Kata syllabus: Sepai, Kururunfa, Sesan, Sanseiru, Suparinpei, and Miyagi's personal kata thought to have been influenced by Fukien Crane, Tensho Kata. This volume ends with the inclusion of the complete Bunkai (applications) for kata Gekisai-dai Ichi and Gekisai-dai Ni.
   
   Volume 4: Applications of the Kata Part II
   Contains the complete bunkai of Goju-ryu karate founder Miyagi Chojun for the 8 main kata of Goju: Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Sepai, Kururunfa, Sesan, Suparinpei. Also includes sections on Iri Kumite, Shiai Kumite, and Yakusoku Kumite. Finishes off with Historical accounts of Kanryu Higaonna and Chojun Miyagi.
   
   A phenomenal series, the Karate World and Goju folks everywhere NEED this to be back in print again. Higaonna's effort is really in a class by itself.

5 comments about The Fundamentals of Goju-Ryu Karate.

1. 
   "Fundamentals" is the appropriate title for this manual. Authored by N. Gosei Yamaguchi, eldest son of Gogen "The Cat" Yamaguchi, cofounder of the Goju-Ryu system, this techniques guidebook is an accurate companion for any student of this major Japanese martial art.

   It includes a preface by the author and a brief history of the style, and also an outline of the instructional programs in Goju-Ryu. Its primary focus is on the underlying techniques which form the foundation of the Goju (hard-soft) system, the first major synthesized martial art of the 20th Century. It culls from various Chinese styles the flowing, circular, "soft" or "internal" techniques and couples them with the more direct, straight-line "hard" or "external" styles typical of the powerful Okinawan and Japanese martial forms.

   It covers the Standing Positions (which are the basis of the moving forms - "kihon"), the various Ceremonial, Functional, and Classical Forms of Posture, Striking Points and Target Areas, and the fundamental Blocks, Strikes, and Kicks.

   There is also an outline of Kihon #1, the first of the "basics in motion" which incorporate the most basic strikes, kicks, and blocks. Kihon are integral intermediate exercises which deliver the student of karate from static postures into practical stepping and turning motions. These later evolve into the kinetic maneuvers of "kata", the dance-like forms which symbolize defence against multiple attackers. The whole idea of practicing these forms repetitiously is to ingrain them into the body's repertoire of autonomous responses.

   The manual is profusely illustrated with clear photographs revealing nuances of the many hand and foot and body posture positions to facilitate an understanding of the underlying dynamics of each.

   Serviceable for any student of karate (empty hand), this book is indispensable for those who are actually studying this particular style. Goju-Ryu has a large following of karatekas (practitioners) worldwide and maintains a number of dojos (schools) in the United States. Master Yamaguchi is President of Goju-Kai Karate-Do USA, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.




2. This is a good picture book and very technical. However, if you are interested in the philosophical foundations of Goju, it is not in this book. Since this was my prime interest, I was disappointed. Having said that, the pictures are very informative.



3. Absolutely an excellent book and real happy to see that it is available once again.

   Any beginner will find this an excellent book to learn from and as well it is an invaluable asset to anyones library.




4. I bought this book as a reference to basic stances/techniques etc, and am very happy with the purchase.

   It is an easy to read book with photos, diagrams and written descriptions. There is also a brief history to Goju-Ryu Karate which is of interest.




5. This is a good beginner's book, as the name suggests, full of pictures of the stances and techniques. A few more on the history of the style would be nice. Some differences in nomenclature with the Okinawan schools must be taken into account. A fine basic book. Recommendable.

2 comments about Goju-Ryu Karate II.

1. The title says it all, this is one of the very few good Goju (or karate, for that matter) books available. This (and Yamaguchi's "Fundamentals") along with the now out-of print Higaonna series are the only books I have read on the topic of Goju which explain, in very simple clear terms, with good photos, the basics of the art. This book deals with Kihon Ido and Taikyoku kata. Yamaguchi has a tendency, in both his books, to leave a few blanks for the reader to fill in. This does not take away value of the information provided here.The original idea in 1974, when first published,was to produce a series of books on the subject, but for some reason, this did not happen.Definitely among the top books in my library. Every time I read it, I learn something more.A very good book in terms of information and illustrations and reasonably priced.A bargain. Recommended.



2. THIS BOOK DEMONSTRATES THE PEDAGOGICAL THEORIES OF YAMAGUCHI, GOGEN SENSEI. IT CONTINUES FROM THE PREVIOUS VOLUME, WHICH INTRODUCED THE KIHON ICHI, AND NEKO ASHI IDO CONCEPTS, TOWARDS THE KATA IDO AND TAIKIOKU SERIES INCLUDING TAIKIOKU KAKE AND MAWASHI UKE SERIES. I HAVE ALWAYS USED IT AS A RFRESHER TEXT AND RECOMMEND IT TO ALL MY STUDENTS, AND FRIENDS WHO TEACH AND STUDY GOJU RYU. I HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS THAT STUDENTS WHO DEVELOP WITHIN THIS (YAMAGUCHI SENSEI'S) METHOD PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO THE CLASSICAL KAISHU KATAS DEVELOP AT A MORE POWERFUL LEVEL THAN THOSE THAT DO NOT. I FOUND IN IT, THE TEACHING GENIUS OF THE FATHER DEMONSTRATED AND DEVELOPED BY THE SON.

5 comments about Okinawan Goju-Ryu II: Advanced Techniques of Shorei-Kan Karate (Literary Links to the Orient).

1. THIS WORK BY TOGUCHI SENSEI, AND EDITED BY TWO OF HIS TOP STUDENTS, DEMONSTRATE THE KAISAI THEORIES THAT ALLOW ONE TO IN A SENSE OPEN THE "SECRETS" OF THE KATAS. IN ESSENCE THESE ARE KEYS THAT WERE NEVER DISCUSSED BEFORE IN PUBLIC RELATING TO THE MEANINGS OF THE FORMS. THE BOOK ALLOWS ONE TO TRULY SEE THE COMBATIVE ESSENCE OF THE KATAS AS TWO MAN SETS THAT TEACH CONTINUITY, AND DEVELOP THE KAISAI CONCEPTS. THEREFORE THE BOOK IS A CONTINUAL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE THEORY OF KAISAI IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH BOTH THE GEKI-HA AND SAIFA TWO MAN SETS. IT IS A GREAT EXTENSION OF TOGUCHI SENSEI'S ORIGINAL BOOK. ITS HISTORY SECTION IS FIRST RATE, IT SHOWS WHAT A GREAT PART HIGA SEKO SENSEI PLAYED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOGUCHI SENSEI AS WELL AS THE SHOREI KAN.



2. This is arguably the best written instruction book on Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu ever! Toguchi Sensei once again shows us his brillance as an instructor with accurate historical information and technical information on kata and its Bunkai. This book is a must for all serious practioners of Goju Ryu and for any one interested in learning how to unlock the secrets of the applications hidden within the kata. If I may be so humble as to suggest that you also check out Javier Martinezs' book "Okinawan Karate, The Secret Art of Tuite". These two books are both worth the money and will not disappoint any one who knows any thing of the Martial Arts.



3. Demonstrates intermediate concepts with clarity and detail. I particularly like the coverage of saifa kata and bunkai. Though not every school teaches gekiha kata, it is covered as well. This excellent tome offers a terrific introduction to Kaisai No Genri, the method of identifying hidden application from kata, which is apllicable to most martial arts systems. The personal history of Goju Ryu is interesting and illuminating. Seikichi Toguchi, a direct student of Chojun Miyagi (the system's founder), was an inspirational leader of the Goju community whose teaching will be sorely missed. Both his books are essential reading for Goju Ryu practitioners.
   
   Lawrence Kane
   Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction



4. I was of a mixed mind on this book. In some respects it has very positive aspects, in others, it seems very incomplete.
   
   The book details two karate kata or forms and their analysis by Goju Ryu karate master the late Seiki Toguchi. One, kata gekiha, was created by Master Toguchi. The other, Saifa, is a traditional kata of the Goju ryu system
   
   On the positive, this book is very useful for many schools that train kata without ever examining their original purpose. Many schools practice kata or forms as standalone objects without ever practicing the techniques in the kata with an opponent, or perhaps even realizing that the techniques exist. The book explains application of the kata which is essential to the understanding and practice of traditional karate. After mastering the kata, the intense drilling of the techniques with a partner is core to traditional karate training and is the only way to enable one to actually use these techniques in a real situation. In this respect, the book is very good as it gives a starting point for making use of these techniques with many simple principles that can be applied to the kata or forms of any style.
   
   If, however, one is well familiar with the kata in these books, the analysis presented seems to be incomplete at best. I can not comment on kata gekiha because it was created by Master Toguchi originally. However, in regards to kata saifa, techniques are treated as though they were put in the kata in a random manner, with no explanation as to why certain movements were put together or follow one another. There is no in-depth information as to why stepping is used in the kata and there is no explanation of why certain stances are used.
   
   
   Instead of looking at a series of movements as part of a larger technique, the individual movements are broken down and looked at as though independent, unrelated and random. There is one point in the kata where one steps while both arms move simultaneously and one lifts one's knee. In the book, one partner does a block with one arm, then the other partner does a block with the other, then the other partner switches back and does a kick, as though these movements are unrelated. It misses the wider point of why these moves are all done together. One common interpretation is that the four movements work in conjunction as a larger technique. One is simultaneously moving to avoid an attack while trapping with one hand and using the other to pull one's opponent into a strike with the knee...not as a series of unrelated movements.
   
   The significance of stepping in the kata is almost completely ignored. On the contrary, the book states that the stepping was just put there for symmetry and so that the kata returns to its starting point at the end. No use of the angles in the kata, or the avoidance inherent in the stepping is mentioned. All techniques are treated as though one is facing one's opponent straight on which leaves out some of the most effective parts of the tecnique. One technique demonstrated has one doing an overhead strike against one's opponent while facing them head on. One would never do this in a defensive situation as it simply would not work. If, however, one does the technique after moving beside or even around one's opponent to avoid their strike while grabbing them and then striking to the side or back of the head, the technique works perfectly. This is exactly how the movement goes in the kata, but this stepping is completely ignored in the book.
   
   Lastly, there is no explanation of why certain stances are used or why one uses certain positions. There is one point in the kata where one does a hammer strike about a foot from the ground while one is in a long stance. The application in the book instead has the two opponents standing straight up with one doing the strike to the side of the head about six feet off of the ground. If one examines why it was put in the kata, the techniques leading up to this point have one throwing ones opponent and putting their head directly in position to do the strike down low. However, as movements are treated as unrelated, and no examination of the usage of stances is given, this is not shown.
   
   To start using kata and actually training their techniques, this book is very useful and many schools may find it eye opening. However, for those who have been training kata technique who were hoping for a deeper understanding it comes across as very incomplete



5. An excellent complement for the first book by S. Toguchi, this one includes more on the history of Goju-Ryu and the Shoreikan view. Besides some basic techniques, it includes Gekiha-dai-ichi and Saifa Kata with some applications (bunkai).

1 comments about Goju Ryu Karate Meibukan.

1. This is an excellent addition to any martial arts library. Not only is it the best presentation of Meibukan Goju Ryu in print but it is also one of the best books on Okinawan Goju Ryu in existence.
   
   The organization of material is presented very clearly and in the order of a curriculum. Starting with history, basics and then more advanced training and concepts. In this way the anatomy of the style is presented to the reader progressively. What sets it above the rest of books in the same genre is its attention to detail and the fact that Mr. Opdam is an avid reader of current research on the martial arts. Therefore, there is a good balance between the traditional history and more scientific views.
   
   To note particularly is his discussion of body mechanics and Qi comparing modern western physiological concepts with traditional ones. A discussion of Qi in a book on Karate is not often seen and is an important contribution. His exposition of the Kata Sanchin is also one of the most complete seen in the space he had.
   
   On a historical note Mr. Opdam is a student of Anthony Mirakian who learnt from Meitoku Yagi in the 50s while stationed in Okinawa, and so it is interesting to see how this curriculum differs from the one currently developed in the Meibukan. In this way it is also a kind of snap shot of the Karate of that time.
   
   I highly recommend it to any serious student of the martial arts and the Goju Ryu style in particular. A solid traditional martial arts book like this one is a welcomed addition in a publication world obsessed with violence and the next martial arts fad and gimmick. For this credit must also be given to the publishers.

5 comments about Goju Ryu Karate Do Kyohan.

1. The hardcover book is in superb condition, including a hard case book box, a certificate with the print number of the book and gold-leaf edged pages. Content wise it is certainly a must-have for a GoJu Ryu student, or even any martial artist for that matter! I can't wait to begin my reading! :D



2. This book in wonderful, from the box, the glossy cover, high-quality papers, and most importantly, its content. It has many very beautiful and very clear drawings (I didn't count but I would guess that they are 1,000 or so) and some wonderful historical photo of Gogen Yamaguchi performing Kata.
   
   This book covers history, basic, exercise, and kata of gojuryu karatedo as taught by Yamaguchi sensei. If you are practicing goju ryu karatedo, this is a wonderful reference, and I believe that anyone who is practicing karate of any style or just general martial arts enthusiasts will treasure this book. It's also cheaper to get it here from Amazon.



3. This text is full of information. It relies heavily on graphics to convey the various movements that form the essential Kata and fighting application of the Goju Ryu style.
   
   This is a work that will benefit those of you who have been training for a few years as it requires a knowledge of several higher Kata and a more than basic understanding of goju ryu techniques. It is always good to read the wisdom of a master of our style and Yamaguchi does have some important messages for the thoughtful student of Karate. However, you will have to work your way through short paragraph after paragraph of ideas to find a thought that will grab your attention!
   
   Unfortuneately the print and graphic images in this edition are too small for old eyes and if you are over 50 you really need some magnification to be able to read the text and interpret the graphics.



4. Great book.
   Cool history.
   Detailed technique and kata chapters.
   Yamaguchi Gogen Sensei was a great author,
   teacher, promoter, and uniter.



5. Product was in pretty good condition and arrived within a reasonable time. Overall quite satisfied with the purchase.

5 comments about Okinawan Goju-Ryu: Fundamentals of Shorei-Kan Karate (Japanese Arts).

1. Face it. There are lots of varied styles of Goju Ryu Karate Do. There are even those claiming direct lineage and senior student status from Chojun Miyagi Sensei. Toguchi is not one of those. This man actually trained with him! He also trained with and was a student of Seko Higa a true senior student of Chojun Miyagi.
   In this book you get a feeling of a true Goju Ryu Sensei. He accurately develops the history of Goju Ryu and the people involved with promoting it after Miyagi's death. This is extremely important since Miyagi never named a successor to his style. The only person Miyagi granted permission to open a dojo was Seko Higa. After Miyagi's death his senior students opened the Jundo Kan which still exists to this day. This is where splits in the style come from.
   Toguchi explains his basics with ease and introduces his developed techniques that he was given permission by Miyagi himself to create. This is why this book is so good. You get a first hand account.
   This book is easy to understand and the author comes to the point quickly without pages and pages of rhetoric. It is great reading and very discriptive both in words and pictures.
   Great for any library.



2. The seller was very prompt and I received the book in excellent condition! The book is very instructive and with clear photos thruoughout. It did not have some of the Kata's I am familiar with, but did have great instruction in other Kata's and Bunkai.



3. This is one of the first books to deal with Goju Ryu published in the United States. ALthough it is not a volume that deals in depth with Okinawan Karates history it does provide the reader with a lot of information on the subject. It's real wealth is the pictures showing how the kata are executed, particularly Sanchin. This alone will give the karate-ka who does not practice Goju-ryu an educated view from which they can make a comparison between their execution of Karate kata and the Goju ryu way. Like Richard Kims Weaponless Warriors this is an older book one still of value for today's karate-ka.



4. Invaluable for newer Goju Ryu practitioners, this outstanding book covers the basic stances, punches, kicks and blocks required learn hookiyu kata and gekisai kata (including how to formally begin and end the forms). While you cannot learn any martial art solely from a book, the kata, bunkai oyo, and basic kumite are clearly illustrated and adequately described for beginners. For more advanced students the sanchin kata write-up is excellent, integrating movement, breathing and technique in a way that illuminates some of the more difficult aspects of that essential form. There is also an interesting yet brief history of Goju Ryu, including biographical information about Kanryo Higashionna (the founder of Naha Te) and Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju Ryu karate). Seikichi Toguchi, a direct student of Miyagi's, was an inspirational leader of the Goju community whose teaching will be sorely missed. Both his books are essential reading for Goju Ryu practitioners.
   
   Lawrence Kane
   Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction



5. This is a good book for basic Goju techniques. If could have had more on kata.