No comments about 2005 ITKF Summer Camp.

3 comments about Shotokan Karate Kata Kanazawa.

1. 
   I recommend this dvd "Shotokan Karate Kata Kanazawa" for any martial arts practioner. It will help you to improve your katas and overall basics which are the foundations of Shotokan Karate.



2. This dvd is about as good as it gets in the kata department.
   
   This presents all 26 of the Shotokan Kata. But it's not just any presenter. The presenter here is Kanazawa, the winner of the first All-Japan Karate Tournament. He is a legend, and here he's at his physical prime, so his presentation of the kata is robust and precise.
   I generally like to say something bad in my reviews, because that give a review a little more appearance of balance.
   
   But...guys! This is ONE dvd. With ALL of the Shotokan Kata. In perfect form and timing! And it costs nickels and dimes! Okay, there's one thing. This dvd doesn't address the bunkai for the kata.
   
   But it's not a bunkai dvd! It's a kata dvd! This one is for sequence of timing and perfection of the techniques. For bunkai, you'll want the series bunkai-jutsu by Iain Abernethy.
   
   If you're a beginner in Shotokan and want to see where you can go if you're very talented, have a great teacher (Nakayama,for instance), and work very hard, this is a combination roadmap and destination signpost.
   
   If you're an experienced Shotokan student of many years standing, you have here a remarkable achievement: a one-stop source for all your kata reference.
   
   In terms of production quality, price to value ratio, quality of content, quality of presenter, and overall great value, this is the single best kata dvd I've ever seen. And I have hundreds of martial arts dvds, with a good number of those devoted to kata.
   
   Putting it a different way, you can always buy twenty or twelve or five dvds to get the same data in a slightly different (and probably inferior) package.
   
   But why would you?



3. This DVD featuring 10th dan black belt Hirokazu Kanazawa performing much of the Shotokan katas is nothing short of amazing. An inspiration to any karateka studying the forms. Kanazawa really is a great master! However, this particular DVD is in the PAL format ( not readily viewable in the US) and my Toshiba DVD recorder (fairly new) will not play this disk, nor will my JVC or Sony. The only way I could watch it was on my computer. I would have given this DVD 5 stars if not for the format problem. Still worth the purchase to me but this should be sold in the US in the NTSC format as most machines will simply not play it.

3 comments about Shotokan Karate Kata: Kyu Level Forms.

1. 
   
   I bought this dvd alone with the volume 2, I was excited to see what the dvd has to offer, but my enjoyment was cutting short after the first look at the first two Katas. Heian Shodan, the rhythms of the katas and the hand adjustment are a little different; eg the fist hammer strike(Ken-Tsui) is very poorly execute without pause. Instead of 2 Kiai, there is another Kiai at the first ge-dan-barai.
   
   2nd Kata Heian Nidan, just the first movement "palm facing palm" instead of "plate and cup", he did this with three KIAI instead of two: the extra Kiai was at chu-dan ura-ken-uchi (back-fist attack) and right yoko-geri keage (side snap kick.)
   
   Over all the DVD itself was a very well make with great camera angle as well as the instruction are very well make. Specially the bonus bunkai of the first five Heian Katas.
   
   I wish that by writing this review will give the buyer brief idea what you got yourself into.
   
   This dvd is not the orginal Shotokan kata that I would like see. So if you want to buy this dvd with an open mind to except the fews changes in each kata then this is the one. Otherwise I would hightly recommand you to buy the book "25 Shoto-Kan Kata" by S. Sugiyama and his students instead.
   
   Thank you



2. I purchased this video as a reference for fine-tuning my kata. The production of this video was great. They showed all 4 angles of the form, along with practical applications of the techniques. What I did not appreciate was the poor form of Mr. Flores. His motion was robotic. There was no fluidity at all. Everything was telegraphed, his stances were shoddy, his head was bobbing throughout his steps, he did not marry his hand attacks with gravity, and so on. If I was a judge at a competition, I would give him a 3 out of 10 if he was a blue belt. For a so-called "master" to give a performance like this is shameful.



3. Steve Flores doesn't perform the katas to impress you. He performs the katas to TEACH you. That's why his katas might seem mechanical and lifeless. Nevertheless, his form is excellent and very appropiate for the purpose of the product.
   
   Nobody can get inducted into the United States Karate Alliance Hall of Fame by doing poor katas, don't you think so?

2 comments about Shotokan Karate: Advanced Shotokan Kata, Volume One.

1. This DVD was very useful for me in preparing for my brown and black belt tests (3rd, 2nd, 1st kyu, and shodan) and I will need it again for my nidan test in a couple of years. It is very professionally done by people who have been teaching traditional Shotokan karate together for about 30 years. Clearly, senseis Ertl and Bendickson know and can demonstrate every nuance and detail of the kata. Each kata is presented by introduction, embusen, move by move, breakdown, and full speed demonstration. The narration is descriptive and crystal clear. I've seen and helped produce instructive videos myself, and I can say that this is as good as anything I've seen done by the pros. It is quite uncommon to have expert-level instruction combined with professional-level production. Worth every penny if you are serious about learning these katas.



2. This DVD is absolutely excellent. If you are a student of Shotokan, this DVD will help you perfect your katas. It is sometimes hard to learn a kata from the instructor alone; some people just have a hard time visualizing the steps, much less what each technique is actually portraying as far as practical self-defense techniques. This DVD makes each step of the katas clear, showing eacg from different angles and also showing the practical applications for each technique. I found that the lines which are marked on the floor were also very helpful. The demonstrations are great and provide the student with excellent examples of how the katas should look when performed correctly.
   
   The quality of the DVD is wonderful and seems to be much more professionally filmed and edited than many of the other martial arts videos on the market. Overall, I highly recommend this, as well as the other DVD's by Joel Ertl and Anita Bendickson. Over the years, the high quality videos from these two instructors have helped me perfect my katas, as well as helping me better explain and teach these katas to my students. I absolutely can find nothing negative to say about these DVD's at all. They are top of the line and if you are a student of Shotokan karate, I urge you to get your own copy; they will help you on your quest to earn your blackbelt in Shotokan - bottom line. 5+ Stars!
   
   Bohdi Sanders, Shotokan Blackbelt and author of Warrior Wisdom: The Warrior's Path

No comments about Shotokan 26 katas.

5 comments about Shotokan Mastery by Richard Amos.

1. I have a wide selection of books and dvds on karate technique. I cannot recommend this DVD by Richard Amos more. It's clear, concise, and provides the beginner as well as the advance practitioner with great insight into the mechanics of shotokan karate. Even if you train in another style this is the DVD to own if you want to know more about Shotokan. Plus, knowing more about other styles helps you understand the style you practice with greater depth.



2. Beautifully filmed. The Shotokan expert kicks butt - I wouldn't want to tango with him!



3. One would expect that viewing a DVD with title "Volume One: 9th-8th kyu (white belt)" would have an instructor with 25+ years of Shotokan experience fast-forwarding through most of it before passing it onto his students. On the contrary...I watched every second of this one and had to hit the rewind button several times to make sure I caught some of the details that were explained in such detail, yet with refreshing clarity. This DVD was very professionally put together and not only were the physical examples of the highest quality but the accompanying narrative was full of useful information, even for those with much experience. This is the first in a series of instructional DVDs, progressing from white- to black-belt and each one has things that beginners and advanced instructors alike will find useful. If you do Shotokan, you should seriously consider purchasing a copy.
   
   Jon Keeling
   www.jkasv.com



4. The equivalent of paying hundreds of dollars for one on one instruction with an expert. This guy is so good, each time I watch it I learn more. No matter what your skill level, this is definately the baseline standard to measure yourself from.



5. Ok so I was somewhat skeptical of the video. As the nature of dvd's your not going to be perfect on these alone. But as a supplemental tool to your training. This dvd is the one of the best kinds I've seen. It's very clear and informative, I didn't feel confused. I'll be using it to ensure my techniques stay clean and are done the way they should be done, espcially during my spells away from the class due to school and basicly any of lifes time consuming challenges.
   
   Conclusion: If you would like some extra instruction on being sure your doing things correctly and your serious about your practice, you can't go wrong with this one.

3 comments about Shotokan Mastery Volume Two.

1. Having enjoyed Amos sensei's DVD 1, I was curious to see whether number 2 would come equal in every respect. I was not disappointed. As the subject matter and level advances, so do his commentary and tips. Amos sensei continues to impress with the refinement of his already exacting standards in DVD presentation.
   
   Kihon and additional kihon partner drills and bunkai exercises are demonstrated. These are practical and straightforward. And most importantly, effectively convey how to implement proper technique. We are encouraged to analyse possible applications and not just to "make shapes" as is so often the case in your average class context. Amos sensei makes us think. Ask yourselves, he suggests, whether envisaging the ideas we have for bunkai, will enhance our performance of the kata. It's the idea of injecting kumite into what would otherwise be a pretty piece of choreography.
   
   The pointers and imagery offered for gohon kumite were helpful and clear, and I liked especially his freeze frames of "Focal Points" with explanations. These are not just descriptions of techniques, but include biomechanics and the bodily sensations we should achieve, say in our inner thighs or shoulder blades once we are committed to a technique. We get both Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan in the DVD and comprehensive commentary for both.
   
   While the level is green belt, higher level karateka will still gain from a viewing. As Amos sensei states, learning the sequence of steps in Heian Sandan is not particularly hard. But its continued practice is necessary to build important layers of emphasis. The kata is full of sudden contrasts between light and heavy, fast and slow, big and small. So the ability to focus on a technique and immediately respond for the next change in stance or another move, while maintaining clarity and balance, can only be attained by studying the subtleties of the kata thoroughly. This comment can of course be said for all the Heian kata.
   
   Amos sensei takes shotokan karate to a cerebral level, reminding us of the multi-layered and deeply complex (yet somehow very simple) reasons we love this art.



2. Below is my review of the first Shotokan Mastery DVD. This second DVD builds on the first, demonstrating Heian Nidan & Heian Sandan and some bunkai. I feel the need to reiterate - this is the most beautiful martial arts DVD I have ever seen.
   
   "I have been using martial arts dvds in other arts for over 15 years now. As I am new to Shotokan, I wanted to see what videos were available and Shotokan Mastery is the first DVD that I decided to purchase. The content is spot on with what I'm doing, and it is very helpful to me in training. What really impresses me is the amount of work that must have gone into such a production as this. It is a work of art in itself! I've never seen a martial arts instructional dvd like it and I look forward to more in the future!"



3. Sensei Richard Amos has done it again with the second in his Shotokan Mastery series. Clear and concise, this video embodies the essence of traditional Shotokan karate training. Just as the first video this one presents the basic, beginner level fundamentals of Shotokan Karate in a manner that makes it accessible for anyone. One could literally learn karate straight from this program. The production quality is top notch. Each technique is shown from various angles as Sensei Amos gives detailed explanations on proper form and muscle position. The music that plays in the background throughout lends a very traditional Japanese feel to the program. I would highly recommend Shotokan Mastery to anyone who has ever had any interest in real karate training.

1 comments about Shotokan Mastery Volume 3.

1. Sensei Amos's latest instructional DVD video, like the previously produced Vol. 1 & 2 is exceedingly well done. It is a sure safe buy for one interested in obtaining a professionally produced DVD of the kata's Heian Yondan and Godan.
   
   There are not many shotokan karate videos that measure up to the content presented in this DVD.

No comments about Shotokan Mastery Volume 4.

5 comments about Shotokan Karate: Heian Kata 1-5.

1. This is an important product for the new student wno is serious about Shotokan Karate. The demonstrations of the full katas, coupled with the breakdown of each segment of each kata, provide an excellent resource for the student. Since purchasing this product, my katas have improved dramatically and I am looking forward to progressing to the more advanced katas on subsequent DVDs once I have reached the appropriate skill level.



2. it have good techniques but i cannot play on my laptop but works on desktop?.so i still havent been able to practice it.. guess i have to setup my tv linked to dvd.. to see if that will work.



3. I did a great deal of research to find the best available video training resource for kata techniques and found this video series to be the very best. I believe that the production quality and the attention to detail in these videos is better than any other training videos on these katas. The DVDs played easily, navigated flawlessly, and gives me the best resource to improve my kata technique. I look forward to reviewing other DVD titles by E/B Productions.



4. This DVD is absolutely excellent. If you are a student of Shotokan, this DVD will help you perfect your Heian katas. It is sometimes hard to learn a kata from the instructor alone; some people just have a hard time visualizing the steps, much less what each technique is actually portraying as far as practical self-defense techniques. This DVD makes each step of the katas clear, showing eacg from different angles and also showing the practical applications for each technique. I found that the lines which are marked on the floor were also very helpful. The demonstrations are great and provide the student with excellent examples of how the katas should look when performed correctly.
   
   The quality of the DVD is wonderful and seems to be much more professionally filmed and edited than many of the other martial arts videos on the market. Overall, I highly recommend this, as well as the other DVD's by Joel Ertl and Anita Bendickson. Over the years, the high quality videos from these two instructors have helped me perfect my katas, as well as helping me better explain and teach these katas to my students. I absolutely can find nothing negative to say about these DVD's at all. They are top of the line and if you are a student of Shotokan karate, I urge you to get your own copy; they will help you on your quest to earn your blackbelt in Shotokan - bottom line. 5+ Stars!
   
   Bohdi Sanders, Shotokan Blackbelt and author of Warrior Wisdom: The Warrior's Path



5. After taking a 30 year break from practicing karate, I found this DVD invaluable in helping me relearn the Heian katas. This well-produced DVD goes well beyond a kata demo, providing excellent instruction by showing each kata in three different ways. The video is clear and the accompanying commentary is very helpful.