The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do presents the teachings of legendary martial arts master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of the Matsubayashi school of Shorin-ryu karate-do. Used for generations as a practical and pictorial guide, it contains over 1,000 photographs to document eighteen classic karate kata (preset forms) and seven yakusoku kumite (prearranged partner exercises), as well as basic techniques. This book is a precise and easily accessible pictorial guide to performance and perfection of traditional karate. The only book in English with photos of one of the great prewar masters demonstrating the proper execution of Okinawan karate, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do is a bridge between karate's legendary past and the practitioners of today. This ingenious and imaginative text explains the historical landmarks in the development of style, vividly outlines its leading forms and techniques, and recalls noted Okinawan karate men of the past, including the author's teachers Ankichi Arakaki, Choki Motobu, and Chotoku Kyan.

A guide to Kobayashi Shorin Ryu karate with techniques and katas to help you grow and learn as a martial artist or karate-ka in this Okinawan martial arts. Book contains hundreds of images and drawings that you can use as a reference to supplement your studies.

Anthony Ferguson’s love of martial arts began when he was a little boy growing up in Miami, Florida. There he would go with his brother to see kung fu movies at the theater every Saturday. As a teenager, Ferguson decided he needed to know how to defend himself from an attack after a bad experience, and fate drew him to a school that taught the style of Shorin-Ryu Matsubayashi-Ryu karate. Shortly after graduating from high school, he earned his first-degree black belt, and he has never looked back. Now he recalls his lifelong journey in practicing Shorin-Ryu karate. Using his personal narrative, he hopes to encourage others to learn about this martial art and the benefits it can bring to those who study it: discipline, focus, respect for others, self-control, and awareness. In this memoir, one man shares the story of his path in the martial arts from student to master and recounts how studying karate as a teenager changed his life for the better.

This unique volume records each of the major Okinawan techniques--Shorin, kobudo, ti, and styles derived form Chinese boxing--using lineage charts to trace their descent from ancient Chinese roots. Also includes exercises for breathing, relaxation, and energy circulation. Photographs and drawings.

Shorin-ryu is the oldest existing karate style. From this martial style, suitable for everyone, and based on natural movements, modern Japanese karate is derived. In this book, Emanuel Giordano sensei shows the execution of the kata: Kihon ichi, ni and san; Naihanchi shodan, nidan and sandan; Pinan shodan, nidan, sandan, yondan and godan; Itosu no Passai and Matsumura no Passai; Kusanku Dai. Each series of kata is preceded by a historical and technical introduction. The book also illustrates various theories, including that relating to the typical kata of style, the one concerning the cardinal points of the kata, the in-depth explanation of the meaning of Naha-te and To-de, as well as the explanation of the division in kata Shorin and Shorei. Emanuel Giordano, author of several books and articles related to the Okinawan Karate, teaches Shorin-ryu mainly in Piedmont, and since 2013 he travels to Okinawa every year, where he studies Shidokan Shorin-ryu with his Master, Maeshiro Morinobu sensei, and with the members of the Musei juku dojo and honbu dojo. Emanuel Giordano is also founder and national leader of Okinawa Karate Kenkyukai, the Italian study group of Okinawan Karate; is the national referent for the Traditional Karate of Okinawa CSEN, and has excellent relations with the Okinawan institutions.

Shorin-ryu is the oldest existing karate style. From this martial style, suitable for everyone, and based on natural movements, modern Japanese karate is derived. In this book, Emanuel Giordano sensei, already author of the bestseller "The legend of the masters of Okinawan Karate-Biographies, curiosities and mysteries", examines the history, the technique and the applicative and moral principles of this style. In order to make it easier to understand, the book is full of images and diagrams. Inside there are also a glossary of terms in Uchinaaguchi, an interview with Maeshiro Morinobu sensei and the photo execution of the kata Nahihanchi, correlated by applications. This book is the first of a series related to Shorin-ryu.

Shorin-ryu is the oldest existing karate style. From this martial style, suitable for everyone, and based on natural movements, modern Japanese karate is derived. In this book, Emanuel Giordano sensei, already author of the bestseller "The legend of the masters of Okinawan Karate-Biographies, curiosities and mysteries", examines the history, the technique and the applicative and moral principles of this style. In order to make it easier to understand, the book is full of images and diagrams. Inside there are also a glossary of terms in Uchinaaguchi, an interview with Maeshiro Morinobu sensei and the photo execution of the kata Nahihanchi, correlated by applications. This book is the first of a series related to Shorin-ryu.