Reveals the origins and purpose of the art of shotokan. This book describes how karate was invented by the world's only unarmed bodyguards to protect the world's only unarmed king, the king of Okinawa, against Americans.

This invaluable martial arts philosophy handbook presents ancient wisdom for contemporary readers. Secrete Tactics contains brilliant new interpretations of fundamental works of strategy and martial arts tactics by Miyamoto Musashi, Gichin Funakoshi, Yamamoto Tsunetomo, and various martial arts tomes. It distills the important teachings on leadership, character and values found in those books. Readers will unlock the secrets of their art and of themselves. These and a dozen other essays on strategy, combat tactics, psychology, leadership, good character, and the exercise of power, make Secret Tactics an indispensable resource for students of Asian culture, martial artists, and corporate executives.

Lean the techniques, strategies and history of Japanese Shotokan Karate with this illustrated martial arts guide. Generously illustrated with over 700 clear photos, The Secrets of Shotokan Karate offers an in-depth look at the world's most popular martial art, with strategies, techniques, and drills to guide new students to proficiency and to help established practitioners excel. Sixth-degree black belt Robin Rielly provides a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and theory of Shotokan, interwoven with relevant philosophy and historical context. This book offers expert instruction and a greater understanding and appreciation of the art. Topics covered include: basic physiological-psychological principles principles of physical movement elements of fighting sparring drills strategy kata

The eagerly anticipated updated return of a bestselling martial arts classic The leaders of Tae Kwon Do, an Olympic sport and one of the worldÍs most popular martial arts, are fond of saying that their art is ancient and filled with old dynasties and superhuman feats. In fact, Tae Kwon Do is as full of lies as it is powerful techniques. Since its rough beginnings in the Korean military 60 years ago, the art empowered individuals and nations, but its leaders too often hid the painful truths that led to that empowerment „ the gangsters, secret-service agents, and dictators who encouraged cheating, corruption, and murder. A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do takes you into the cults, geisha houses, and crime syndicates that made Tae Kwon Do. It shows how, in the end, a few key leaders kept the art clean and turned it into an empowering art for tens of millions of people in more than 150 countries. A Killing Art is part history and part biography „ and a wild ride to enlightenment. This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters.

When creating karate kata, the Okiniwan masters included deadly techniques targeting vital points. But they kept these techniques secret from outsiders, and when karate was exported to Japan, it appears they chose not to pass on their full knowledge of vital-point striking. Here Ashley Croft demystifies this hidden corner of the art and explores its practical application. This book offers historical perspectives on the evolution of karate, the possible intentions of the ancient masters, and the development of vital-point striking, as well as the location and description of the pressure points, and the practical application of pressure-point strikes.

Pat McCarthy, a shorinji-ryu stylist and triple-crown winner of the North American Karate Championships in 1974, demonstrates 11 karate kata. A detailed history of Okinawan karate and biographies of 37 of its greatest patriarchs are also included.

My book contains grammatical mistakes, and for that I am deeply sorry. This is the first book in a series, which is intented to examine the links between Shotokan Karate and the three teachings - Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The book deals with Heian Shodan (aka Pinan Shodan) and the rest of Heian katas. We can learn a lot from the Chinese origins of Karate. Daoism (Taoism) in particular has been forgotten in modern times, as a tool for understanding Karate and improving it. There are very practical conclusions that we can come to, using Daoism. In order to achieve that, we must develop a deep understanding of the Heian katas using Chinese philosophy. The book explains how Yin and Yang and the Five Elements (Wuxing) theories are connected to the Heians. We especially concentrate on the Wood Element, which is the element of Heian Shodan, and has profound implications on the kata. Topics from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are brought up, including the relations between the basic katas and the organs and meridians. Then we turn to Emotional Karate, and observe the psychological benefit, that one could derive from Karate. Karate can contribute to our mental well-being. And our state of mind, as proven, effects our body - including chronic pains. After understanding the distinguishing qualities of Heian Shodan, we can understand why it is a particularly good kata for releasing a repressed anger. As for other issues: Some techniques are presented, in order to improve the kata and our benefit from it. We also learn how other katas may recuperate Heian Shodan. A mathematical formula of the five Heians is suggested, with an application to Heian Shodan's movements. Other Shotokan katas are also mentioned - as well as specific Karate moves and stances. Finally, we warn about excessiveness, and explain how to prevent it. By the way, several interesting topics are discussed: the far and the relatively modern history of Karate and of other martial arts, our Karate ancestors and even Chinese and Japanese characters and words. In conclusion, although the book deals with Chines philosophy, it has many very applicable sides.