Kousaku Yokota Sensei needs no introduction from me, and has a deep and long karate resume. Not only does he have over 40 years of Shotokan Karate experience, he has also studied other styles of Karate such as Goju-Ryu and Kyokushinkai, Judo, and Ki. For his complete bio please click on the following link
I must say that I have fallen behind in my reading after opening our new dojo in June last year. I was playing with the Google Books app I have on my Android phone and decided to type in shotokan karate as a search to see what they had in their library. The title was intriguing and the price was right (only $3.03) so I thought why not? What I got was extensively more than I expected. The book is a concise summary of many of the things you come to learn in your study of karate over many years, and am still learning today. The book also provides a great road map for anyone instructing new students in the art of shotokan. Most importantly the book achieves what I believe the author intended- to get readers thinking for themselves and not just accepting things at face value because "that is how it has always been". It also educates practioners on the history behind shotokan beyond what is commonly known or taught today.
I do not want to give the whole book away and I encourage you to put it high on your reading list. I will provide a brief summary of the chapters and key learning points below:
• Kime- Relax vs. being stiff or tense to achieve real kime or "power". This is one of the most important things any karateka will learn and is a common misunderstanding with newer students.
• Hikite-Is not as important as we would like to believe and in fact has been misunderstood from the original teachings of Master Funakoski.
• Snapping Motion in Mae Geri- How Mae Kekomi and Mawashi kekomi have been undervalued and taught by shotokan practioners due to the popularity of tournament fighting.
• Makiwara- That makiwara training is not as important as it has been made to be and in fact was only developed within the past 100 years (like the Heian katas) and was not used by the Okinawans.
• Silent Kiai- That the kiai in katas was also not used by the Okinawans or Funakoshi but developed by the JKA to more closely mirror other Japanese martial arts styles and to encourage practioners to focus on breathing.
• JKA Bunkai- Fantastic chapter. I could not even do it justice other than to say it is a must read as it provides detailed hidden bunkai applications for the Heian katas that are quite different than what is common understood today. He also discussed why the Japanese did not want to share these with Westerners.
• Kata Start & End With Blocks- Another fantastic chapter. Carries forward from the previous chapter and examines bunkai for more advanced katas by challenging the concept that all kata begin and end with a block. Instead he describes the hidden strikes contained in these movements.
• Return To Starting Point- Discusses how Okinawan katas did not require students to end in the same place they started, and hypothesizes that it was developed by Funakoshi to help students in self-training and/or beginners learn the movements.
• Tekki Katas- More fantastic hidden bunkai in the katas and demonstrates how the bunkai is actually meant for facing your opponent head on and not from side to side as it looks. He also discusses that Tekki katas were less emphasized by Funakoshi because of their deadly martial arts techniques as he had to promote karate from a physical education perspective for the art to gain popularity in Japan.
• Hangetsu- Discusses uniqueness of this kata within shotokan and the only kata that emphasizes Ibuki or the complex slow breathing aspects of the kata. Also discusses how Hangetsu (both the kata and stance itself) are unique to shotokan but similar to the Okinawan katas Seisan and Sanchin and why Funakoshi and Nakayama changed it.
• Bujutsu or Budo?- A short but powerful chapter on the difference between practicing to fight, kill or win (bujutsu) vs. practicing to better one's character and live the martial way (budo) as described by Funakoshi in the Dojo and Niju Kun texts as well as many other samurai codes or texts. I would like to believe this chapter parallels alot of the articles I have written for our website.
• Apparent contradictions in “Karate Ni Sente Nashi” & “Sente Hissho”- "No first attack in karate" and "first attack guarantees victory". There is no contradiction but rather they work in harmony like Go No Sen and Sen No Sen in kumite.
The book progresses in it's complexity as you read. The first chapters above are eye openers as it is. However when he starts to discuss bunkai he really shows the value of the book, especially for advanced practioners. He ends on a deeper or spiritual level in the final two chapters and leaves you wanting more. I would also like to commend him on providing a balanced perspective while at the same time address these "myths" head-on. There were times I disagreed with him (on makiwara for example) but I believe that was his intent- to get me to formulate my own opinion by challenging assumptions. I also must say that after thinking about what he said, there were times I altered my opinion as well (on kiai for example).
So what started as an interesting app on my phone transformed itself to a must read and must have for any shotokan student. Actually, I am glad I have the book on my phone as the chapters on bunkai are worth re-reading and practicing at the dojo- so I always have the book with me.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. In no way have I captured all of what is contained in the book and to really understand it you must read the whole thing. If you are interested you can purchase the hard copy on Amazon as well by clicking here or on Kindle by clicking here as well.
Way Of Life Shotokan Karate Do martial arts school is now officially open at 501 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck NY, 10543 serving the local Westchester County communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, White Plains and Yonkers as well as the Bronx and NYC metro area.
I do not want to give the whole book away and I encourage you to put it high on your reading list. I will provide a brief summary of the chapters and key learning points below:
• Kime- Relax vs. being stiff or tense to achieve real kime or "power". This is one of the most important things any karateka will learn and is a common misunderstanding with newer students.
• Hikite-Is not as important as we would like to believe and in fact has been misunderstood from the original teachings of Master Funakoski.
• Snapping Motion in Mae Geri- How Mae Kekomi and Mawashi kekomi have been undervalued and taught by shotokan practioners due to the popularity of tournament fighting.
• Makiwara- That makiwara training is not as important as it has been made to be and in fact was only developed within the past 100 years (like the Heian katas) and was not used by the Okinawans.
• Silent Kiai- That the kiai in katas was also not used by the Okinawans or Funakoshi but developed by the JKA to more closely mirror other Japanese martial arts styles and to encourage practioners to focus on breathing.
• JKA Bunkai- Fantastic chapter. I could not even do it justice other than to say it is a must read as it provides detailed hidden bunkai applications for the Heian katas that are quite different than what is common understood today. He also discussed why the Japanese did not want to share these with Westerners.
• Kata Start & End With Blocks- Another fantastic chapter. Carries forward from the previous chapter and examines bunkai for more advanced katas by challenging the concept that all kata begin and end with a block. Instead he describes the hidden strikes contained in these movements.
• Return To Starting Point- Discusses how Okinawan katas did not require students to end in the same place they started, and hypothesizes that it was developed by Funakoshi to help students in self-training and/or beginners learn the movements.
• Tekki Katas- More fantastic hidden bunkai in the katas and demonstrates how the bunkai is actually meant for facing your opponent head on and not from side to side as it looks. He also discusses that Tekki katas were less emphasized by Funakoshi because of their deadly martial arts techniques as he had to promote karate from a physical education perspective for the art to gain popularity in Japan.
• Hangetsu- Discusses uniqueness of this kata within shotokan and the only kata that emphasizes Ibuki or the complex slow breathing aspects of the kata. Also discusses how Hangetsu (both the kata and stance itself) are unique to shotokan but similar to the Okinawan katas Seisan and Sanchin and why Funakoshi and Nakayama changed it.
• Bujutsu or Budo?- A short but powerful chapter on the difference between practicing to fight, kill or win (bujutsu) vs. practicing to better one's character and live the martial way (budo) as described by Funakoshi in the Dojo and Niju Kun texts as well as many other samurai codes or texts. I would like to believe this chapter parallels alot of the articles I have written for our website.
• Apparent contradictions in “Karate Ni Sente Nashi” & “Sente Hissho”- "No first attack in karate" and "first attack guarantees victory". There is no contradiction but rather they work in harmony like Go No Sen and Sen No Sen in kumite.
The book progresses in it's complexity as you read. The first chapters above are eye openers as it is. However when he starts to discuss bunkai he really shows the value of the book, especially for advanced practioners. He ends on a deeper or spiritual level in the final two chapters and leaves you wanting more. I would also like to commend him on providing a balanced perspective while at the same time address these "myths" head-on. There were times I disagreed with him (on makiwara for example) but I believe that was his intent- to get me to formulate my own opinion by challenging assumptions. I also must say that after thinking about what he said, there were times I altered my opinion as well (on kiai for example).
So what started as an interesting app on my phone transformed itself to a must read and must have for any shotokan student. Actually, I am glad I have the book on my phone as the chapters on bunkai are worth re-reading and practicing at the dojo- so I always have the book with me.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. In no way have I captured all of what is contained in the book and to really understand it you must read the whole thing. If you are interested you can purchase the hard copy on Amazon as well by clicking here or on Kindle by clicking here as well.
Since 1988, Way Of Life Shotokan Karate has been committed to teaching traditional karate and values for a modern world. Under the leadership of Norman Smith Sensei, Way Of Life Shotokan Karate instructs hundreds of students at our various locations from beginner to advanced levels of all ages that come from across the New York City metro area. Our unique way of combining martial arts training, etiquette and philosophy with the modern concepts of fitness, self-defense and competition is unparalleled. We ensure your training is vigorous, while maintaining a safe and fun learning environment that encourages students to reach their fullest potential.
Way Of Life Shotokan Karate Do martial arts school is now officially open at 501 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck NY, 10543 serving the local Westchester County communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, White Plains and Yonkers as well as the Bronx and NYC metro area.
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| Kousaku Yokota Sensei |
