1 comments about Matsuda's Shorin Ryu Karate Vol. I.

1. The good. Expertly performed Katas.
   
   The bad. Video quality is low. I very much doubt it was remastered from the original footage which is a shame because the content is excellent. No menu to speak of just one big long chapter. At a minimum they should have put in chapter marks at the start of each kata.
   
   Bottom line is I think its worth buying but a little more effort they could have made it a great training aid.

No comments about Mastering Shorin Ryu Karate Volume 1.

No comments about Explosive Shorin Ryu.

1 comments about Matsuda's Shorin Ryu Karate Vol. 2.

1. This is an awesome DVD. I learned a lot about self defense and breaking

1 comments about Shorin Ryu Master Ota - 3 DVD Set.

1. MASTER OTA IS A FRIEND OF MY SENSEI.
   I WANTED THESE TO VEIW ANOTHER MASTER OF MY STYLE.
   YOU WILL WANT THESE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OLD SCHOOL HARD TRAINING SHO-RIN RYU KARATE.

2 comments about Shorin Ryu Karate Matsubayashi - d.

1. Considering the film is 22 minutes long and the footage on this DVD is currently 40 years old, it is not a bad visual of Traditional Okinawan Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate...However, only long time and dedicated students of this system and style would benefit from this DVD the most for its historical emphasis.
   
   All of the footage is done mainly at normal fighting speed. Those studying the style will enjoy watching the performances of the kata as a visual reminder of what techniques are done in what order.
   
   The only 'bunkai' seen on the DVD is of Pinan Shodan where the one performing the kata is 'attacked' by two other students who aid in the demonstration of how each technique of the kata is applied to defense.
   
   There is really no audio except for the narrator explaining how old the film is. And nothing is in English (all descriptions of what is going on is in Japanese text) - so unless you are familiar with the style you might not know which kata is which. I, personally, was able to follow along from katas Fukyugata Ichi to Naihanchi Shodan. (aka White to Brown Belt level).
   
   So, if you are hoping to learn a new style/system of karate by buying this DVD - your money would be better spent on something else.
   
   However, if you are a long time student/Instructor of this System/Style and would enjoy an old video clip featuring Matsubayashi founder Shoshin Nagamine then this is the DVD for you.
   
   -- KM (Ikkyu rank of Okinawan Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate)



2. The video quality of this video is horrid and I don't buy the excuse that it is because the footage is old. Even the computer graphic opening menu is blurry and full of macroblocks. Whoever mastered this video should be shot for this chump hack job! Save your money. It is a shame that a video covering the grand master is so shoddy.

4 comments about The Essence of Shorin Ryu Karate.

1. What a great dvd. So much information about kata applications and what they really mean. Clearly explained....I finally understand wha the movements behind the kata mean...its about time someone let the mystery out. I now have a new appreciation for this timeless art.



2. I am so glad I bought this video! Wow! This video explains and teaches so much about Shorin Ryu Karate, I don't know how I got along without it. Great for anyone looking to improve their techniques and gain a better insight into this awesome style of Karate.



3. The tape is informative to someone who knows little about shorin ryu. However it fails in the sense that Mr Alexander has poor kata resembling that of a yellow belt.



4. I got this DVD because it said,"Secret techniques" also "Hidden fighting techniques".I Still have not seen the BIG secret or the hidden.Thats right it's hidden?
   Also it shrink my belt becouse I come from one of the old ways of Karate [Shorin Ryu].Yes I know there are moore.My Sensei was #66yrs.old when he past away.He took with him a [YONDAN]-4th Degree. His Sensei came from Okinawian am not shore how old he was when he died but he took with him
   [GODAN]-5th Degree.Am 42yrs old and I hold [NIDAN]-2Dedree.
   Just do some homework, over in Okinawian and Japan the Sensei's and Masters are 4th-8th and thats a life time to get. 9th or even 10th is like being a king.
   Not in the US.We probly have one in every Dojo.

2 comments about 3 Major Schools of Okinawa Karate (DVD Volume 1) ==> Uechi-ryu, Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu.

1. If you truely like classical Karate, if you want a true insight to where it all came from and you want to learn about multiple styles - you just hit the gong. I have both volumes of this in VHS. I will get both in DVD.
   There is some very good information and outstanding instruction from some devasting Kyoshi's & Hanshi's. The production quality shames Yamazato & Rising Sun Production Co. and eclipses Tsunami (whom I consider to be of above all the rest). You will not be wasting your money. View and enjoy.



2. As someone who has practiced martial arts off and on for over a quarter of a century, I have seen most of the videos that there are to see. I have heard of these videos for years, but only now had the ability to purchase them. For those who are interested in traditional martial arts and especially Okinawan karate, these videos are a gold mine of information. All aspects of karate are covered, including basics (kihon), solo forms (kata), sparring (kumite), and various types of conditioning, some of which need to be seen to be believed. The primary demonstrators are Kiyohide Shinjo and the recently deceased Seiko Toyama of Uechi ryu, Tetsuhiro Hokama and Shigetoshi Senaha of goju ryu, and Yoshimitsu Onaga of shorin ryu, along with several others. There is also a short section dedicated to the karate training used by the Japan Self Defense Forces at the end of Vol. 1. These are not instructional videos, but rather demonstrations of some mid to high level aspects of the arts. The advertising for these videos suggests that the information contained would be most useful for those practitioners second dan black belt and up, and I would agree with that. I highly recommend these videos for anyone interested in real martial arts; my only complaint is that I wish there were more of them.

2 comments about 3 Major Schools of Okinawa Karate (DVD Volume 2) ==> Uechi-ryu, Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu.

1. If you truely like classical Karate, if you want a true insight to where it all came from and you want to learn about multiple styles - you just hit the gong. I have both volumes of this in VHS. I will get both in DVD.
   There is some very good information and outstanding instruction from some devasting Kyoshi's & Hanshi's. The production quality shames Yamazato & Rising Sun Production Co. and eclipses Tsunami (whom I consider to be of above all the rest). You will not be wasting your money. View and enjoy



2. As someone who has practiced martial arts off and on for over a quarter of a century, I have seen most of the videos that there are to see. I have heard of these videos for years, but only now had the ability to purchase them. For those who are interested in traditional martial arts and especially Okinawan karate, these videos are a gold mine of information. All aspects of karate are covered, including basics (kihon), solo forms (kata), sparring (kumite), and various types of conditioning, some of which need to be seen to be believed. The primary demonstrators are Kiyohide Shinjo and the recently deceased Seiko Toyama of Uechi ryu, Tetsuhiro Hokama and Shigetoshi Senaha of goju ryu, and Yoshimitsu Onaga of shorin ryu, along with several others. There is also a short section dedicated to the karate training used by the Japan Self Defense Forces at the end of Vol. 1. These are not instructional videos, but rather demonstrations of some mid to high level aspects of the arts. The advertising for these videos suggests that the information contained would be most useful for those practitioners second dan black belt and up, and I would agree with that. I highly recommend these videos for anyone interested in real martial arts; my only complaint is that I wish there were more of them.

5 comments about Traditional Shorin Ryu Kata - d.

1. I expected to see more than just the gross movements of the katas. I had hoped from the summary provided on this site that some bunkai would be illustrated. The tape shows each kata done from 2 angles and at varied speeds. You can see angle, direction and stances, but there is no discussion about technique, body mechanics or anything else for that matter. I expected more.



2. This is a little known but wonderful area of martial arts. My husband studied it for years, and I bought this as a reference for him. He was surprised, and enjoyed viewing very much.
   
   Of course, the katahs are not exactly what he was doing, and the production was a bit amateur, but it is a great gift for the martial arts enthusiast.



3. I do not know if I like this dvd yet or not; because I have NOT yet received it. It takes your company over 2 weeks to deliver. I have placed similar orders to OTHER companies who sale such items, and received them within 2 BUSINESS days. I do NOT plan to purchase from you again, if I can the items I want someplace else. I am very surprized you people are still in business after all these years.



4. For the student of this style, the video is worthwhile. The actual steps in some of the kata can very from those taught by Soshin and Takayoshi Nagamine, however. Unfortunately, no bunkai are explained.
   I would hope that Master Ota would furnish an addition to his three videos discussing the bunkai of these traditional Okinawan kata.



5. The video shows all the katas as they should flow in the class room. This is a GREAT reference for all the katas in this one video. This is a MUST for all students of the system. If you want to know about this art form, you will not get too much from this video. For comparing this art's katas from other art forms, it is Great. Karate is meant to be taught to students in the class room/ person to person so you will not get pointers from this, But again the video states what is in the video.