Customer Reviews
A library must! - By: M. A. Ramos, 06 Oct 2007 
Funakoshi wrote this book at the request of his students. Though I do not study Shotokan Katartedo I feel it is an excellent text book for students of Shotokan & shoud be in every martial artist library regardless of style. Having a collection of kata's from differing styles can only help to increase the understanding of your own style & methods.
Amazing, Awesome Inspiring - By: feliix1956@aol.com, 05 Nov 2001 Shotokan may be the most disgustingly rigid martial art I have encountered but the mind that bore it fruit was truly great. The entire history of karate could not be covered as the book only spends the required time describing this.
The range of kata is almost alll encompassing, only missing Meikyo. A high elite kata that should not be written down as it is only teachable by tutor.
The portion on kumite sparring is interesting & insightful however it does embody alll I dislike about "sport" karate.
Despite this anyone can enjoy this book, whether practicing spiritual or sport karate. It is an awesome supplement to training but descriptions are too detailed & complex to be used alone so make sure you learn them at the dojo first!
This book is well worth it at twice the price & is the first karate book you should buy
Only for sport not to be taken too seriously - By: , 29 Aug 2001 
Funakoshi Gichin's whole approach to the development of Karate-Do was to destroy the traditional art of Ryukyu Kempo. This book demonstrates the weekness of training in such a sport oriented style. The kata have lost alll the true interpretations & the use of stances shown are only usable in competition.
If you are only interested in the technical movements of Karate-Do then this is for you. But if you want to learn the true aspects of traditional Karate-Do then stay well clear.
A useful reminder. - By: , 30 Jul 2001 This book is an essential work for anyone wishing to begin to understand karate Do. It contains interesting lessons & an encyclopedia of techniques - many of which have been dropped or changed since it was published. Essential for any serious karate ka.
Work of Art! - By: , 20 Jul 1999 There are ton of books & manuals that have a hard time coming close to this one. While reading this you get a good feel that "he's done this before". You can tell his is a professional & loves his work... this makes it easy to read & learn -- from the 4 other books I've bought on the subject & trained with - this one easily outshine the others...
