The Kata and Bunkai of Goju-Ryu Karate

Author: Giles Hopkins
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
ISBN: 1623172004
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Book Description
Challenging timeworn conventions of karate training and revealing the original intent of classical kata—or forms—through detailed descriptions of self-defense applications known as bunkai, this is a crucial addition to any martial-arts library. Containing more than 265 photos, the book is divided into chapters that illuminate each of the ten classical kata of Goju-ryu. Drawing on more than forty years of experience in the martial arts, Giles Hopkins Sensei takes us on a journey into the Goju-ryu karate system, providing a principles-based method for analysis of kata practice. Arguing against the commonly held notion that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, he insists that a kata cannot simply mean what the user wants it to mean, but contains specific martial principles that must be followed for it to work effectively. The step-by-step descriptions of the receiving, controlling or bridging, and finishing techniques contain in-depth analysis of commonly misunderstood aspects of kata. Each chapter concludes with an engaging anecdote from the author’s time in Okinawa, the birthplace of Goju-ryu, connecting it with the kata under discussion. Equally useful for the novice and for more advanced karate practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of kata and bunkai.

Traditional Karate-do: The fundamental techniques

Author: Morio Higaonna
Publisher: Kodansha
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 180

Book Description

Karate Goju Ryu Meibukan

Author: Lex Opdam
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781933901299
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This work reflects the system of education from the School of Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi named the Meibukan. The Meibukan, in an educational sense, originated from the teachings of "the Empty Hand" that Chojun Miyagi adopted in his Goju-ryu Karate system and passed over to his student in turn, Meitoku Yagi. Sensei Yagi developed the system further and gave these teachings a personal interpretation. The reader will find many historical photographs of great Okinawan Goju-ryu karate masters who were the pioneers of this unique martial art. The syllabus in this book serves as a technical manual in which history, origins, practice, and techniques are arranged in an orderly way, allowing the identity of the style to emerge. This syllabus offers deep background that not only will serve beginning karatekas by giving them a rational framework to grasp this martial art, but also more experienced karatekas, who may reinforce or augment their existing understanding of the style's unique subtleties.

Okinawan Goju-Ryu

Author: Seikichi Toguchi
Publisher: Black Belt Communications
ISBN: 9780897500180
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description
An instructive text on the etiquette, kata, stances and powerful techniques of the renowned goju-ryu system as practiced in Okinawa. Includes a detailed section on sanchin breathing and step-by-step photos with foot patterns.

Wandering Along the Way of Okinawan Karate

Author: Giles Hopkins
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1623174481
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 290

Book Description
A personal, philosophical, and historical exploration of Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate written by an experienced master. In Wandering Along the Way of Okinawan Karate, Giles Hopkins draws on his fifty years of martial arts experience to take the reader on a journey through the meaning of kata (form) and bunkai (application) in Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. Hopkins offers his personal reflections on the enigma of karate kata while explaining many of its little-understood applications. With skill and insight into kata's connection to nature, the book addresses key topics such as why some movements are done slowly while others are fast, the significance of steps and turns, and the role of tradition in karate. The purpose of kata solo patterns is to solidify specific self-defense techniques. Contrary to the commonly held belief that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, Hopkins argues that kata embodies specific martial principles that must be followed rigorously for it to be truly effective. He also reveals the spiritual dimensions of martial arts by explaining its deep connection to nature. Providing new understanding of kata structure, themes, and martial art principles, Hopkins sheds light on the practitioner's journey.

Suparinpei

Author: Giles Hopkins
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
ISBN: 1623175593
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Book Description
An illustrated step-by-step guide to the structure, themes, and techniques of Suparinpei--the last kata of Goju-ryu. Suparinpei, or Pechurin, is the highest and most difficult kata in the Goju-ryu system of Okinawan karate. Its performance has long been reserved for high-level practitioners, its history and applications obscured by misunderstanding and misinterpretation. In this indispensable manual by experienced master Giles Hopkins, readers will learn the skills, techniques, and bunkai of this little-understood kata, step by step. Suparinpei explores the initial receiving, bridging, controlling, and lethal finishing techniques in sequence, and offers illustrations of both the applications and movements of Suparinpei. Hopkins questions conventional interpretations of kata movements, suggesting instead that there is only one originally intended application for each move in kata, and that each is to be understood in sequence and not as isolated components. This strict interpretation of kata movements reveals not only realistic self-defense executions, but also potentially the original intent of kata.

Kobudo Sai Jutsu

Author: Helmut Kogel
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781841262451
Category : Sai
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Sai-jutsu - which uses fork-like weapons with an extended middle prong - is one of the Japanese martial arts that originated in Okinawa. This volume gives beginners an introduction to the basic fighting techniques of this traditional martial art.

Traditional Kobujutsu

Author: Robert Clark
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 9780713643817
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
This training guide skilfully combines traditional training forms - or katas - with detailed explanations to provide a fascinating examination of how the tonfa baton and the nunchaku rice flail were used as weapons.

The Elements of Aikido

Author: Greg O'Connor
Publisher: Element Books, Limited
ISBN:
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 152

Book Description
This text reveals the underlying elements of Aikido such as posture, breathing, centering and state of mind, which are required before Aikido can be truly performed.

Karate the Japanese Way

Author: Mark Adrian Groenewold
Publisher: Ishikawa-ken, Japan : Usagi Press ; Victoria, B.C. : Trafford
ISBN: 1553698452
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
Karate the Japanese Way is a text for beginners to Karate, a guide for parents and a window into martial arts training in Japan.