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.

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.

The legendary 20 guiding principles of karate penned by Funakoshi have been circulating for years but have never been published until now. Accompanied by rare photos and original calligraphy, this long-awaited treatise is a provocative and long overdue read for martial arts enthusiasts and followers of karate.

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.

Grand Master Fusei Kise has devoted his life to teaching traditional Okinawan karate, From the main dojo of the All Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation in Okinawa City, he and his students have branched throughout the world, bringing to thousands the tradition of Shorin-Ryu Matsumura karate as passed to him by his teacher, Master Hohan Soken. In this book, Hanshi Kise tells his the story of his life and his karate.