No comments about Goju Ryu Dictionary: Plus History of Goju History.

4 comments about Fundamentals Of Freestyle Goju-ryu.

1. Im pretty sure the main logo on the cover of this book is a stolen. The Fist logo is Copy Writed under Gosei Yamaguchi, head of USA Goju Kai karate Do and used without his permission. Dont buy the book please its not good quality.



2. The last reviewer is partially correct: The familiar "fist" does belong to Gosei, the problem is that the book, my book, does NOT have the fist on it. Amazon displayed a generic "Goju" cover for my book before it was released and I wrote Amazon to have the correct cover art displayed (it is now).
   The reviewer obviously has not read the book and is only going off the incorrect picture in saying the book is poor quality. Had he actually read the book he would've known what the actual cover looks like. It's sad when people lie about things they know nothing about...You would think that a true martial artist would've been taught such things as honesty during their development. Does this say something about your dojo?
   So far everyone who has purchased my book has been very pleased with it. For now, the website is down, but I believe there is enough information in to not need website. Please feel free to email me with any questions.



3. This was one of the better new books written on karate in a long time. Keep the REAL material coming. Oss.



4. This book describes to the reader an idea of goju-ryu that focuses on the traditions that the author C.L. Sajnog follows. The Japanese in the bow sequences and the commentary about progress are all unique to its author. The basics are well outlined as well as highly detailed kata descriptions. As a martial arts researcher, I have read books about over 20 different Japanese karate ryu-has. This book gives a beginner as well as a highly trained black-belt ideas to ponder. The concept of ki as well as body internalization is very useful for the highly advanced student, such as a sandan (3rd degree black belt) or above. The basics and advanced technique descriptions are always intriguing to the beginner who arrives to this point of discovery with a enthusiastic fresh mind. Many of the concepts such as the history as well as the Japanese karate vocabulary are seen in some other books, but all of this is quite useful to a wide audience, whether they are just discovering karate or are martial artists who have been practicing for over 30 years. The descriptions as well as the thorough scope of the terms/traditions are very useful to any serious martial artist.
   
   Elizabeth Sher, MLS
   Martial Artist/Martial Arts Researcher/Indexer

No comments about Fundamentals of Goju-Ryu Karate.

5 comments about The History of Karate: Okinawan Goju-Ryu.

1. If you train in Goju Ryu this book should be on your bookshelf and read several times. Higaonna Sensei has put into this book many stories, experiences, and views of many Goju Ryu practitioners from the past, that are a part of Goju history, folklore, and lineage. I do not agree with 100 percent of the opinions shared in this history book, but I agree with the far majority of the material in this book and consider it an enjoyable and benefical read. I sincerely hope it is republished again in the near future so more people have access to this information.



2. Gojo ryu, one of the main styles of karate on Okinawa, has benefited greatly from the expertise of Sensei Higaonna, the author of this well-researched book. He is a master technician of combat and also, in keeping with tradition, an accomplished man of letters. Thus he is a modern embodiment of the scholar/warrior that is held as the ideal in both Western and Asian cultures.
   
   Concerning the text of his book, it is endorsed by a virtual "who's who" of Gojo-ryu. He covers in great detail, in an engaging style, the various aspects of martial arts on Okinawa and the surrounding islands, including the Chinese influence. After this general background, he goes into much detail with the history of Gojo-ryu's masters and influences, starting with Kanryo Higaonna and working his way to modern times. Some great photos add to Higaonna's gift of story-telling, including one that has in it, unlabelled, Shinpan Gusukuma of Shorin-ryu notoriety. This is worth noting since photos of him are uncommon (of course excluding a book of kata and kumite).
   
   Overall, why this book demands to be read by serious karate historians is that the author conducted dozens of interviews over a thirty year period of people who had first hand knowledge of events that have otherwise failed to be printed in languages other than Japanese. Moreover, the author's own expertise in the Naha-style of karate gives him intimate knowledge of the subject matter from a technical aspect.
   
   What I am left with after reading it for a second time, and this time during one sitting, is that Okinawan karate is very much related to the perfection of character, more so than is commonly discussed in dojo around the U.S. Almost all of the masters in this story are obsessed with right living. That means something, and more to me personally as I grow older.
   
   I would recommend Mark Bishop's Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniquesas a detailed, readable and usually accurate account of the major and minor traditions of Okinawan combat arts. Of course it is not entirely correct, but who can get that story right, especially a non-Okinawan? Gambatte!
   
   Enjoy!



3. For those wanting to understand the "total picture" and the build up of the Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate style, this book cant be put down after opening. Infact you will want to read it 2 or 3 times. A "must read" for those attempting a dan grading and a fantastic resource for those engrossed in "the Way".
   Nearly as good as the buzz of training under Sensei personally.....



4. In Martial arts the word master is frequently used . Higaonna Morio Hanshi is a living example of that word. Not only in his abilitys physically but in the humble way by which he lives. He is trusted & respected in Japan and this has opened up a lot of doors for his research. I know this personally having trained under him and his teacher Anichi Miyagi privately in Japan. I find it interesting that people write reveiws of his book (of which he spent the last 30 yes 30 years researching) and say that dont think he is being honest or he's got certain parts wrong....... have you ever seen Higaonna sensei's karate? even in his 60's he is still as breathtaking as ever. i know this personally as i performed a demonstration with him last year and this year at both the Tokyo & Okinawa Budokan, i am half his age and still couln't keep up with him during a prearanged sparring demo. I think if half the people who write or say negative things about him actually met him or came to one of his seminars they would be humbled and profoundly greatful to have met a man of his character and abilitys.
   
   I would like to finish with a quick story... I acompanied Higaonna Sensei a couple of years ago to a training camp in San Diego held by Nishiyama Sensei's people also there was the late Karate Master Richard Kim . After Higaoon Sensei had finished teaching Sensei Kim came up to me to tell me how lucky i was to have such a great teacher , he kept telling me how lucky i was to find such a great teacher. He went as far as to tell me that in his lifetime he had trained with all the great masters including the founder of Goju Ryu Miyagi Chojun and none of them explained and demonstrated karate like him.



5. History of Goju-Ryu by Morio Higaonna Sensei.
   This (too expensive) book is deceiving. Even though we are hungry for the history of our Karate-do, what we need is "facts".
   The information in this book is contradictory with other sources like Seikichi Toguchi's "Okinawan Goju-Ryu" I and II, Shoshin Nagamine's "Tales of Okinawa great masters", Patrick McCarthy's "The bible of Karate - Bubishi" and Mark Bishop's "Okinawan Karate: teacher, styles and secret techniques" regarding the dates an personality of some masters. Sensei Higaonna (who is 7th Dan Goju-Ryu) put his sempai Anichi Miyagi on an altar but throws mud over Masters like Seko Higa!!?? He doesn't talk about the technical quality of other senior Sensei like Meitoku Yagi, Seikichi Toguchi, Eiichi Miyazato, Kanki Izumigawa, Seiichi Akamine, etc.
   I think we have enough of this "only we have the real form of the Kata and the truth of the style".

2 comments about Traditional Goju Ryu Karate.

1. Author Don Warrener's first book specifically about Goju Ryu Karate-do focuses mainly upon kata. Illustrated are the five basic kata (forms) unique to Gogen Yamaguchi's line of Goju-Ryu Karate-do (Taikyoku 1-5), as well as the first 10 kata found in all traditional Goju Ryu schools: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Sanchin, Tensho, Saifa, Seiunchin, Sanseirui, Shisochin, Seisan, and Seipai. This takes the practitioner to about the 2nd or 3rd dan black belt level, depending upon your school of practice. Some of Warrener's kata renditions differ somewhat from those of "orthodox" Goju schools--for instance, the ending on Saifa shown in this book includes a technique I haven't seen practiced by other Yamaguchi-line students (see page 144). Nevertheless, I appreciate the fact that this volume doesn't try to drown the reader in basic drill after basic drill to the point of monotony and questionable usefullness.

   Includes a chapter on Goju Ryu Karate founder Miyagi Chojun's tenents of Goju Ryu, and a section on history describing the development of Goju from Miyagi's early days with Master Higashionna to Yamaguchi's study of Goju which commenced during Miyagi's trip to Japan, and basic techniques (basics coverage is minimal--this volume assumes the student is receiving some sort of person-to-person instruction). There is even a photo of Warrener with Gogen Yamaguchi, and famed Canadian Sifu Frank Lee.

   While this volume in my opinion doesn't approach the technical detail of Morio Higaonna's precise four volume "Traditional Karate-Do: Okinawan Goju Ryu" (I haven't found any books on Karate which have!), it is the most inclusive of the lower-priced guides on this style. Warrener's succeeding book, "Advanced Traditional Goju Ryu Karate" follows up where this one leaves off. Warrener was a well-known kata and kumite competitor during the 1960's and '70s. He originally learned Goju Ryu Karate from Bob Dalgleish, and later advanced under the guidance of karate men such as Richard Kim and Morio Higaonna.




2. This is a book that I show to all my blackbelts, a must read book. This is a book I show them of what "not to do". I am sure if you are a traditional Goju Ryu, you will find the basics and katas are full of mistakes and faults. I used this book to ask my students taking blackbelt test of "Tell me what is wrong with this Sanchin Kata"? The very fundamental concept of elbow never leaves the body is not even followed. Looking at the Sanchin kata, as a Goju practitioner, I am embarrassed. Don't waste your money on this book, or the second volume. Spend it on a solid Goju Master like Morio Higaonna instead. If you learn your form from this book, you are NOT learning Goju.

1 comments about Orthodox Goju Ryu.

1. First of all YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK.
   All the teachings in here are step by step from beginner to black belt. With a lot of pictures showing a lot of things that many modern master sell as their mysterious secrets are at hand now. In this book we can see the original crest of GOJU that many master use in their gis. The most important thing for me about this book is that from now on few teacher will stop to promote them as "the succesor", "the most advanced", "the closest" or "the special student" of Miyagi Chojun.
   We, in Dominican republic, had this book in japanese since 1968. Is an excellent book with all tradition we knew from our sensei Sakamoto who translated for us orally in his teaching. All martial artist MUST have this book if they want real link with Miyagi sensei teachings. Takashi sensei Wrote another book in 1972 that also complete the first one.
   
   Takayoshi Alvarez

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 Okinawan Goju-Ryu II: Advanced Techniques of Shorei-Kan Karate (Literary Links to the Orient) (v. 2).

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).

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

1. 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.



2. 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



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



4. I found very useful to complement my karate training from the master himself. Since karate is transfered from master to student, each one adds their own variation and over the years diverts from the source. Having a book true to it is very useful to understand many things we practice over and over.
   
   The book is very clear and easy to follow, helping to correct style and stances.



5. I purchased this book to supplement my Urban Gojudo karate classes. When you start karate for the first time in your mid-40's, it's a bit embarrassing when you can't keep up with the kids :-) My hope was to use my "superior experience" to do a bit of home supplementation, and this book has been an enormous help.
   
   Seikichi Toguchi relies on diagrams and pictures to convey the proper method of performing the moves. Each individual component of a move is broken down step-by-step and shows both a photograph of a teacher demonstrating the posture -and- a foot-diagram showing the proper way to place your feet. If you are learning a kata, there is a picture showing both how to perform each kata alone -and- opposite a sparring partner (very helpful in visualizing the end-purpose of learning the kata). At the start of all kata and kumite series, there is also an "enbusen line" diagram (diagram that shows how the moves are made, i.e., "I" shaped, figure 8, starburst, etc.) The enbusen lines can be the most difficult part to "get" when you're learning a kata for the first time in class, so they are enormously helpful.
   
   My only criticism of the book is that, with an average of 4 pictures/diagrams on each 5x7 page, sometimes you have to squint to see the finer details such as the exact angle of the fist or the position of each finger. However, the book would be 4 times longer (and 4 times more expensive) if this problem was rectified, so in my opinion the tradeoff for the bargain price is acceptable. Despite this minor flaw, I anticipate purchasing the next book in this series as a supplement once I move up a belt.
   
   Note that Okinawan Goju-Ryu (Shorei-Kan) is a slightly different variant of karate than American Goju. There are few differences in how the basic moves are executed, but one of the katas Seikichi Toguchi teaches is different than the katas you will be expected to learn in Urban Gojudo. However, because the grand masters shared the same teacher and both styles evolved with an emphasis on "unarmed street fighting," the basic moves at this level (fundamentals) are essentially the same. After using this book to master numerous basic moves and two katas, I have yet to notice any significant differences. However, if you are studying Japanese Shotokan karate, whose basic moves are exaggerated to have an emphasis on the eventual use of weaponry, be aware that the differences may be greater than either Shorei-Kan or Gojudo karate.

5 comments about Goju Ryu Karate Do Kyohan.

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



2. There are a lot of essential informations in this book, which are often left aside in karate classes. This book is of vital importance to those who really study Karate-do.
   However, the pictures in the book are of poor quality, and so appears to be the translation. The text is not fluent especially when compared to Funakoshi's Karate-do Kyohan.



3. The tale of the foundations of the fighting style known as Goju-Ryu, and the efforts of those who spread this unique and effective fighting system around the world. From its roots, to the man known infamously as "the cat" and up through the ages to where it is now, this book has it all!



4. An easy to read and a fundamental book to all seeking to learn Japanese Goju-Ryu.



5. This is a great book, BUT, I think it takes some previous training and not a white belt level to comprehend the hidden golden nuggets that Yamaguchi Sensei hid in here...
   It's all there as if he wrote a letter to you and had it handed down the line to you.
   For a Goju person , this is a MUST buy ! I study Okinawan Goju, but to get lessons from a MASTER like Yamaguchi Sensei,...so worth it !
   Do yourself the favor and just pull the trigger and buy it !
   Thank you Yamaguchi Sensei for leaving such a treasure behind for us ! And thank you to the publisher for making it available so economically !