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.

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.

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.

Richard `Biggie' Kim, Lefty Nakayama, Clarence Lee, Richard Lee, and Herbert Lee taught me all the katas contained in this book. These katas are very rare and only a few people around the world practice them. That is the reason why I decided to document and share these kata. I felt an obligation to not allow these beautiful and effective forms to be lost to history. In a sense, this book is a tribute to Richard `Biggie' Kim, one of the most knowledgeable martial artists the world has ever known. Please be aware that this book is meant for high level traditional martial artists and for those who already are familiar with these katas.

Treasured for centuries by karate's top masters, the Bubishi is a classic Chinese work on philosophy, strategy, medicine, and technique as they relate to the martial arts. Referred to as the "bible of karate" by famous master Chojun Miyagi, for hundreds of years the Bubishiwas a secret text passed from master to student in China and later in Okinawa. All of karate's legendary masters have studied it, applied its teachings, or copied passages from it. No other classic work has had as dramatic an impact on the shaping and development of karate as the Bubishi. Karate historian and authority Patrick McCarthy spent over ten years researching and studying the Bubishi and the arts associated with it. The first English translation of this remarkable martial arts manual includes numerous explanations and notes. McCarthy's work also includes groundbreaking research on Okinawan and Chinese history, as well as the fighting and healing traditions that developed in those countries, making it a gold mine for researchers and practitioners alike. For the final word on the true origins and spirit of classic Okinawan martial arts, one need look no further. This karate book is one of the best karate training supplements available.

Shorin Ryu is one of the world's major Karate styles. Created and developed by Okinawan masters, this style mixes the traditions and experiences of the ancient art with a modern approach to self-defense. In this work, Master Ota shows key traditional kata and bunkai. Some of the traditional Shorin Ryu forms illustrated in this essential book have never been analyzed this way before. This work is more than a how-to manual; it explores the history and philosophy behind this dynamic and practical method of karate-do. Containing hundreds of photo illustrations that show the forms step-by-step, this book will be a valuable reference for anyone seeking to learn and understand not only the principles and techniques of Shorin Ryu but also the cultural essence of Okinawan Karate.