Suggested Reading List

Karate-Do, My Way of Life, Gichin Funakoshi. A MUST read for any karate practioner. Autobiography of the founder of Shotokan and the Father of Modern Karate. Interesting and inspiring stories of the life of Gichin Funakoshi. Dynamic Karate, Masatoshi Nakayama. Detailed techinical instructions and photographic illustrations of karate techniques by Mr. Nakayama, the former chief instructor for the Japan Karate Association. He is assisted by some of the top JKA instructors. This red/orange book is considered to be the Shotokan bible. 308 pages. Best Karate ..., Masatoshi Nakayama. This is a series of 11 books written by Mr. Nakayama. Comprehensive and Fundamentals (Books 1 and 2) are excellent for all levels, but are particularly important for beginners. Heian, Tekki (Book 5) includes 1500 sequential photographs detailing individual moves in each of the five Heian katas and the three Tekki which will assist the karateka in testing through first level brown belt. Approx. 150 pages each. Basics Kata Advanced Kata 1) Comprehensive 5) Heian, Tekki 9) Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Chinte 2) Fundamentals 6) Bassai, Kanku 10) Unsu, Sochin, Nijushiho 3) Kumite I 7) Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi 11) Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Meikyo 4) Kumite II 8) Gankaku, Jion Advanced Karate-Do, Elmar Schmeisser. A very technical book that analyzes in detail the advanced concepts of Shotokan-style karate. Includes a large section devoted to in-breath forms of kata. All 26 Shotokan kata are broken down by movement in chart-form to demonstrate this theory. For the advanced student. An excellent, but difficult read. 25 Shotokan Kata, Shojiro Sugiyama. Known by his colleagues as a maverick, the author teaches traditional Karate in a very contemporary way. Even though he teaches traditional Karate, almost every one of his approaches to training are different than traditional methods. His intent is to make Karate easier to comprehend and learn. One of the best books on Shotokan katas. The katas are very clearly described. SKI Kumite Kyohan, Hirokazu Kanazawa . Covers 5, 3 and 1 step sparring as well as semi-free and free sparring. There are no books available which cover kihon-ippon kumite or especially ju-ippon kumite in quite as much detail as this book. Shotokan Karate, Its History & Evolution, Randall Hassell. Very informative account of the history of karate including significant photographs, caligraphy, tables and charts. 200 pages. Moving Zen, C.W. Nicol. Memoir of an English adventurer who travels to Japan specifically to train martial arts and finds his life transformed in the process. Includes historical information as well as personal experiences and ideas. 151 pages. The Zen Way to the Martial Arts, Taisen Deshimaru. Japanese Budo master provides philosophical guidance regarding the unification of the spiritual, intellectual and physical self through Zen and the martial arts. 120 pages. The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master, Takuan Soho, (translation by William Scott Wilson). Where does the master swordsman aim? Takuan Soho simply answers, "no place". In fact, the true swordsman won't even think of asking. Without such thoughts, the swordsman will move swifter. Born in 1573, the author offers insight into human nature and self improvement. His philosophies and competitive strategies are as useful today as they were to seventeenth century samurai. This book is an exceptionally clear description of the state of mind necessary for effective practice of martial arts.