No comments about International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation Training Manual.

No comments about Shorin-Ryu Karate USA: 30th Anniversary Commemorative Journal.

5 comments about The One Hundred Year History of Shorin-Ryu Karate.

1. At the time this book was written, Frank Hargrove may have been associated with Shorin Ryu Shorinkan under Shugoro Nakazato, but he was ultimately kicked out of the association and continues to claim to be associated. He has formed "NASKA," and tries to make it look like everyone else was kicked out, not him. He is a very strange man who let his belt color go to his head. Do yourself a favor and save your money for a real Karate master's book. What a disgrace to Shorin Ryu Shorinkan, which is an association about Humility, Respect, and Self-Improvement.



2. I really enjoyed this book. In cross-referencing it with other resources (such as those by Mr. Mark Bishop and Mr. Patrick McCarthy to name just two) and the information within seems useful and accurate.
   Very good read



3. So Hargrove recently got out of jail for embezzlement. Wonder how he'll end up getting locked up the next time?
   
   The truth is, this man was kicked out of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan association and is no longer affiliated with the grandmaster, Shugoro Nakazato. Hargrove and his "posse" take advantage of people by stealing their money and tainting their kids.
   
   I'd read a book on Tae-Kwon-Do before I picked up this piece of garbage (that's saying something).



4. This book is very biased. Hargrove gives a bad name to martial arts practicioners all over the world. He was essentially "excommunicated" if you will from the association of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan by the Grandmaster himself, Shugoro Nakazato. Hargrove, however, still claims ties with him and continues to collect dues and monies from members of his new NASKA association, keeping the money for himself.
   
   Don't waste your money on this.



5. This is a solid book that brings together the fragmented history of Shorin-Ryu Karate. This book has been long out of print, but hopefully it will in be print again soon. From what I hear, Kyoshi Hargrove is still in good standing with Nakazato. No one has ever questioned Kyoshi Hargrove's karate or his skill as a teacher. Kyoshi Hargrove's legacy is of countless blackbelts that teach an effective, true, form of Shorin-Ryu, to a new generation of students.

No comments about Shorin-Ryu: Okinawan Karate Question and Answer Book.

1 comments about Samurai, Scoundrels and Saints: Stories from the Martial Arts.

1. This book and its companion volume, "Warriors and Wisemen", occupy a place of honor on my martial arts bookshelf next to O-Sensei Richard Kim?s matchless collections, "The Classical Man" and "The Weaponless Warriors".
   
   Like Sensei Kim, Dr. Clarke collects stories that draw from rich martial arts traditions that developed over many centuries in many countries. He groups the stories in general categories such as Strategy, Treachery, Enlightenment, Women Warriors, and Valor. The stories have been drawn from many primary and secondary sources -- the bibliography lists over a hundred articles and books -- and while no book written in the twentieth century can claim to be authoritative (we can't truly know everything that happened in a battle or an encounter that occurred centuries ago), these tales give us a vivid sense that we are there as events are unfolding. In this way, Dr. Clarke's recreations of battles have much the feel of the ones that Sensei Dave Lowry imagines in "Autumn Lightning", another wonderful book.
   
   Dr. Clarke encourages the reader to skip around the book, rather than reading it sequentially. This is the approach I took; reading each story in order might be overwhelming, particularly with the level of detail and the dizzying number of people that fill some stories (particularly the ones about pitched battles in feudal Japan).
   
   Apropos, my one quibble with the book is that readers who are not students of this period of Japanese history in particular can be overwhelmed by the cast of characters and the events in some stories; a timeline and/or glossary of names would have been useful. But this is a small point. There is much here to satisfy all interested readers -- martial artists, students of military history and/or Japanese feudalism -- whether casual or serious. A bonus is the set of 121 endnotes, which provide extra information for scholar and armchair enthusiast alike. I recommend this book highly to all students and followers of the martial arts.
   
   On a personal note, I've met and trained with Dr. Clarke at seminars, and have come away deeply impressed by his seemingly endless supplies of skill, energy, and knowledge. He shares all three generously; I've been particularly fortunate to have corresponded with him on questions I had on kata and traditions. His responses to my simple queries contained an astonishing amount of information and analysis, returned lightning fast, seemingly off the top of his head. This book is a reflection of that deep knowledge and understanding.

5 comments about The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Shorin-Ryu).

1. Sensei Nagamine shares his heart, as well as his art, in this excellent book. The history of the martial arts development as well as its forms and function are presented in an easy-to-read format. For those who are students of the martial arts, especially Shorin-Ryu, this is an insight into the mindset of one of Okinawa's greatest teachers. It is a "must have" for the traditional student who wants to preserve the original kata forms and legacy of Grandmaste Nagamine.



2. Do not say that you study Matsubayashi-ryu unless you own and study this book. My instructor, a sixth degree black belt, carries it in his duffel bag. I do likewise.
   
   The first section is a good review of the history of the matsubayashi system and of the principles of martial arts. The bulk of the book contains photographs of Nagamine, the author, demonstrating kata. I have been able to learn and practice kata between lessons without waiting to ask my instructor this or that question. Consequently, I have progressed very rapidly.
   
   However, speed of progression is not the point of the book. The point is that karate is and should be practiced as a martial art. If you want to know what that means, you MUST read this book.



3. Like other authors, Nagamine starts on his beginnings as a karate man. While interesting I found the photos of katas more beneficial. Whether you come from a different style of karate, or are just forgetful of what the next move is, the photos will help you understand the basic movements a kata takes. However, this book will not teach you how to perform the moves correctly, and they will not be exactly the same as your instructor's.



4. This book is well worth the price, it helps you reinforce your instructions. It also prepares you for the next step. Great



5. This book is fantastic. It is about the development of traditional Martial Arts as seen thru the eyes of the Great Master Nagamine. Anyone who is at all interested in Okinawan Karate and History should read this book.
   
   Others have copied the formant of this book as can be seen in the title Okinawan Karate "the teachings of Master Eihachi Ota".
   
   The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do is the original book that others emanate.

4 comments about Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate Question and Answer Book.

1. I like the way this book was set up. It's easy to read with little "quizes" all the way through. It's got great info on the origin of kata (names and creator), information on japanese martial arts terminology, and some interesting "general martial arts knowledge" info. For example, they say that a well executed martial arts punch can generate 600 foot/pounds of pressure and that bone has a structural strength greater than that of concrete. Are these stats true? I'm not sure, but it makes for an interesting read.



2. This book was recommended to me by my sensei and I am pleased to share it with others. This is a book of lists, quizzes, and general tips and information presented in an extremely well-organized and interesting manner. It clearly points out key information and has helped me greatly with my studies. Most sources are either overwhelmingly detailed or oversimplified and it is difficult to sort through and figure out key concepts. This book does the work for you and is a convenient (and very portable!) challenging study guide.
   
   This is one of the very few sources of information about Fukyugata San available, with photos and descriptions of Ueshiro Sensei performing the kata.
   
   There are a few errors/debatable answers in the book (the kata information list is a good example), so if something doesn't seem right to you, check other places. This book is by no means a complete resource, but is invaluable when used with other sources of information.



3. As a student of Mr. Scaglione, I can whole heartedly reccommend this book. He writes the same information in his book as he teaches in his classes, and this book is considered a bible throughout the school(currently 19 dojos). This book offers clear, concise information about the origins of karate and it's kata, about the courtesy involved, and about all the "details" associated with the art. Learn how to store your gi, how to tie your belt, the japanese terms commonly used in karate class, the traditions of the art, etc. This book is not meant to teach karate, but it is an invaluable source for any student of karate.



4. It took me a while to purchase this book. But once I got it, I have no regrets whatsoever. Its informative and eye-pleasing to read. Mr. Scaglione and Mr. Cummings really did a great a job. In fact I recomended this book to several of my students.
   
   
   Prince Loeffler
   Shugyokan Shorin Ryu Dojo
   www.alljapankarate.com