No comments about Shito-Ryu Karaté-Do.

No comments about Shito-Ryu Karate.

No comments about Shito Ryu Karate.

2 comments about Katsu Jin Ken - Living Karate - The Way to Self-Mastery.

1. Shimabukuro Sensei's book truly offers all serious students of budo a way to understand the meaning and philosophy behind karate and for that matter any martial art.
   
   While it shows ample photos and examples of kihon, it is the explanation of the smallest principles underlying why we do what we do in the dojo that make it such a compelling book!



2. I have been training in the art of Karate-do for around 6 years now and have been looking for a comprehensive guide to the art. Finally after all of the other Karate books I have read and tried to study, this book is really the only book I use as a reference. From the great drawings and clear photos of the most basic of techniques to the clear and distinct explanations of how to do them properly. This book has it all. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to learn a more in depth and precise explanation of Karate-do.
   In martial arts, people forget that between just learning the techniques to defend themselves there is a philosophy that needs to be learned by all of us. This text explains a greater outlook and how one should think in many different situations in life. The philosophical writings of the writer of this book is very in depth. It gives great meaning to both technique and philosophy which together create Karate-do. I would recommend this book to anyone who studies the martial arts.

No comments about Karate Do the Way of Shito-Ryu.

5 comments about Shito-Ryu Karate.

1. This book has all the pictures and Japanese terminology associated with the movements. Most traditional karate dojo's use these terms to conduct there classes, this is a great book for reference whether you are training in Wado-ryu,Shotokan,Goju-ryu or Shito-ryu. This text will benefit you in your training.



2. When reading Sensei Demura's books, you're getting martial arts info from one of the most realiable sources in contempoary times. His book is knowledge and informative. A must oen for any karate stylist.



3. You may be confused by a different title printed on the cover 'Black Belt Karate'. Don't worry, it's probably some kind of cover design. In fact it's printed as 'Shito-Ryu Karate' on the side of the book and also the first page inside the book. It's indeed an authentic handbook of Shito-Ryu Karate, just like the hand notes you may recieve when you join any major karate dojo that practicing Shito-Ryu style. However, this handbook is very complete and helpful. It contains the following topics:
   
   
   
   - History of Shito-Ryu Karate
   
   - Striking Points
   
   - Target Areas
   
   - Standing Positions
   
   - Hand Techniques
   
   - Elbow Techniques
   
   - Kicking Techniques
   
   - Blocking Techniques
   
   
   
   For each topics like standing positions, it provides each stance with the proper terminology, spelling, picture, application, and description of how to do the stance, such as the forward stance, Zenkutsu Dachi.
   
   
   
   This book covers the history and techniques, it does not provide any kata forms. If you're interested on practicing Shito-Ryu kata forms, you may want to look at the DVD from amazon.com named 'Shito Ryu Karate Original'. It shows you different traditional Shito-Ryu kata forms in both slow and correct speed & timing, as well as from different side views.
   
   
   
   Overall, if you practice Shito-Ryu karate, this is a very good and authentic handbook to help you practice and prepare your belt tests. If you're looking for a book to show you overall how-to-do karate, this may not the one you should be looking for.
   
   
   
   (Reviewed by Otto Yuen, 13-Aug-2004)



4. All the hand and leg techniques are perfectly shown; but I wish moving and turning were included, as well as a kata or two.



5. This book has just the basics. Most but not all stances, blocks, kicks, and strikes are demonstrated. A good introduction for a beginner.