history of Okinawan karate styles
924032
Mark Bishop has written a geneological history of most, if not all, of existing karate styles that have their roots in Okinawa.  Though his work is not sourced and footnoted as is customary in academic writing, he does  indicate that his information comes from interviews with karatedo  masters  in Okinawa, and presumably these interviews were conducted in the masters'  native language.  Since the vast majority of martial arts  "history" is oral, and his book is so detailed, I find his  accounts quite credible.  In this book, Mark Bishop has done a good job of  conveying the commonalities of all karate styles, despite the efforts by  some to differentiate and mysticize them.  Bishop should also be commended  for debunking the frequently told myth that martial arts began in Okinawa  when weaponless peasants developed fighting techniques to counter the  aggression of Japanese samurai.  He also presents his interview subjects as  real people -- some of the karate masters he interviewed struck him as  slightly bombastic or secretive, while others came across as humble and  eager teachers.  Instead of editing these impressions out he includes  them.
This is not the book for people with little or no experience in the  martial arts looking for a guidebook so they can learn how to win bar  fights.  The book is most valuable as a historical reference.
4247
I bought this book mainly for the first 40 pages or so. It is basically a history of the bubishi itself, but also gives an excellent overview of karate history in general, even though it is mostly previously known  information.
It goes further than most karate history texts, including a  good set of references about where the author found some of his  information.
This, along with "Unante" by John Sells is the  most read karate book in my library.
As for the actual Bubishi  translation, I have it on good authority that it is an excellent  translation from people who can read the original Japanese translation from  which this is taken.
I personally didn't find the Bubishi sections on  fighting and grappling particularly useful, but they do serve for good  historical perspective.
Some very useful sections from the book include a  glossary of terms with their kanji equivalents, something that I've found  very useful for translating lists of people's names, names of kata  etc...
The quality of the books is excellent, with very crisp, sharp  photos liberally distributed through the text and an excellent index.
I  do feel that this should probably rank high on most people's list of books  to buy, especially if you are starting out and are interested in karate  history.
206425
This may have been one of the first "modern" systems to address the realities of all-in, no-holds-barred fighting.  Mr. Arvanitis's work appears to be influenced by ancient and modern wrestling and boxing, as well as modern MMA events and the works relating to Jeet Kune Do.  The standing techniques will be familiar to those who study the latter, as will the "Attributes" section in the appendix.  I don't believe that this similarity takes away from the art of Mu Tau Pankration; in fact, I think shows how this modern version of the ancient art continues to evolve.  This book covers the history of Pankration going back to ancient Greece, and includes sections on ancient boxing and wrestling.  Upright combat skills are covered separatly from upright grappling, and include stance, foot work, striking, some clinch work, and defensive skills.  There is also a separate chapter concerning the training equipment for striking.  The upright grappling section covers some very basic takedowns, sweeps and throws, closing the gap, and the sprawl, a takedown defense.  A chapter on groundfighting includes a bit on ground control and reversals, with several submissions featured, including basic chokes, several arm-bar variations, hammerlocks as submissions (unique from the kimura/double wrist lock), and some very unique leg holds.  Striking from the ground is also covered.  There is then a chapter on set-ups, reversals, and combinations which give the reader some idea of how these different skills come togeather in a combat situation.  The chapter on conditioning is pretty well-rounded, and has parts on stretching, cardio, and weight training.  Also covered are breakfalls, drills, and rules for sparring, including weight classes.  At the end of the book is a glossary of Greek terms, the ranking structure of MT Pankration, and mental and physical attributes of a fighter.  Overall, this was a very good book.  On the negative side, the groundwork isn't as refined as it could be, some of the featured techniques aren't allowed in their sparring, the throws and takedowns aren't covered in any detail, and the stand-up techniques can be found in most Jeet Kune Do or Muay Thai books.  On the plus side, the part on combinations, setups, and reversals was an eye-opener, there was a great section on neck excersises, there were some terrific drills, and some of the submissions were quite unique.  I think this book would make a great suplement to any MMA library, and would be very good for those without exposure to MMA classes.  I just wish someone would come out with a book on the more ancient techniques, which evidently included palm and thumb blows, and some grappling not covered here.
849013
It may be classical Yang style, but the postures are different from other masters, e.g. Yang Chengfu and Yang Zhenduo. I would recommend Fu Zhongwen's Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan.
629368
This "style" along with Yuen Kay-San are a must study if one truly wants to become proficient in Wing Chun.  Not just conceptually but as a fighting art.
3359766
Caveat lector:
I am familiar with other systems of stick and staff fighting but I am new to the Kukishin Ryu system of bojutsu. There are likely many aspects of this text that I lack the context to grasp the subtlety of. Please consider the following review from the context of a neophyte to this form. My hope is that this review may provide insight to others pursuing this martial art.

General overview:
The book "Stick Fighting: techniques of self-defense" seems to provide a good foundation in the basics of stick, not just hanbo (half bo), defense. The progression of the text is: 8 basic movements, 51 techniques, and 8 immobilizations. The basic movements presented are specific to strikes against the core body, striking fist, and a single directed thrust. Additional cursory research will show that this is only scratching the surface of stick fighting movements but they do thoroughly support the techniques presented in the text. The techniques described & depicted cover defense from: fist attacks, foot attacks, wrist holding, sleeve and lapel holding, seizure from behind, and stick holding. If you are new to this form then I suspect that you, as I have, will find great value in these pages.

Pros:
There is a nice progression from the basics, into fundamental techniques, then on to techniques using some more advanced body mechanics. The pictures give a movement by movement progression that the reader can follow along with in their practice. I also like that this is manual of technique, not a treatise on the theory of stick fighting. The approach is very much "someone is punching you in the face from the right, here is one technique that you can do." "someone is punching you in the face from the left, here is one technique that you can do." There's no pretense of perfection, no high handed discussions on the use of force. Another title for this could have been "So, you're holding a stick-like object and somebody is trying to hurt you... now what?"

Cons:
I have three gripes about this book, which kept me from giving it a 5 star, but I think they are all pretty minor and would not stop me from buying a copy for a friend.
1) Media production quality: I got the 2012 edition and while the pages are nicely printed with a good matte finish the book binding itself is lacking. The inside covers are thinly glued to the exterior cover and the leaves (individual sections of the book) appear to be just glued into the spine. Just be careful of how you treat your book. I've had other books of similar production just sort-of self destruct after a few years. Be nice to your things and they will be nice to you.

2) Translation and copy editing: I don't speak or write Japanese (Yet!) but there are some glaring errors in copy editing and translation. "Your partner punches straight at your face [...]" but the picture shows one person punching the other in the stomach. "The stick (Eda koppo technique) can be held between the little finger and ring finger or between the ring and middle fingers as shown." but the picture clearly shows the stick positioned between the little finger and thumb. Those kinds of inconsistencies are easy to sort out to the discerning reader but it's also the kind of errors that I would expect to be addressed in editing.

3) Some of the advanced techniques do not appear to be immediately practical. Block a punch? OK. Block a kick? OK. Get out of a grapple? OK. Block a strike, spin behind your opponent, wrap up their legs with your bo, drop them to the ground and immobilize them by pinning the ankles... ummm. As a new student, one of the primary audiences for this book based on the layout, I lack the ability to derive direct value from such techniques.

Overall: excellent content that is, for the most, accessible to all skill levels. Recommended.
1267473
To anyone involved in karate, this book will provide a basic understanding of the early masters of Okinawan karate.  These stories are both entertaining and educational.  To my knowledge, this was the first book available to the general public on some of these early karate masters.  There are stories about Yara, Sakugawa, Bushi Matsumura, Itosu Yasutsune, Kyan Chotoku, Myagi Chojun. Gichin Funakoshi and many other ancient masters. There are also some old photographs of the ancient karate masters in this fine book. In conclusion, this book has become something of a classic and will be of interest to all serious followers of karate.

  Rating:  5 stars.  Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Techniques: Practical Combat Karate for the street).
4886683
If you are a Shotokan practitioner a great read.  Not just another karate book.  Fresh look and insights into basic Shotokan moves.
3100196
As someone who has practiced martial arts off and on for over a quarter of a century, I have seen most of the videos that there are to see. I have heard of these videos for years, but only now had the ability to purchase them.  For those who are interested in traditional martial arts and especially Okinawan karate, these videos are a gold mine of information.  All aspects of karate are covered, including basics (kihon), solo forms (kata), sparring (kumite), and various types of conditioning, some of which need to be seen to be believed.  The primary demonstrators are Kiyohide Shinjo and the recently deceased Seiko Toyama of Uechi ryu, Tetsuhiro Hokama and Shigetoshi Senaha of goju ryu, and Yoshimitsu Onaga of shorin ryu, along with several others.  There is also a short section dedicated to the karate training used by the Japan Self Defense Forces at the end of Vol. 1.  These are not instructional videos, but rather demonstrations of some mid to high level aspects of the arts.  The advertising for these videos suggests that the information contained would be most useful for those practitioners second dan black belt and up, and I would agree with that.  I highly recommend these videos for anyone interested in real martial arts; my only complaint is that I wish there were more of them.
4254333
A must have if you enjoy learning about martial art history or the people and places these arts are born . A lot of good seems to have come from a rocky past .thanks so much for sharing
2357770
Positive Aikido gives you a look at the early history of Aikido in the UK.  A history seen from two early students of Kenshiro Abbe, the Budo Sensei who introduced Aikido to the United Kingdom.  I found the writing insightful, straightforward and free of any spiritual balderdash that inhabit too many Aikido books today.  The style of Aikido these early students practiced was incredibly effective and positive with the training at times being poignant.  I recommend this book for any Aikido student or martial artist regardless of rank.
1215586
I have to admit that I found this book very interesting, even though I am not on agreement with every point the author makes concerning the historical aspects of Shotokan Karate.  There is no doubt the author has done an enormous amount of research into the history of karate on Okinawa. Most Shotokan Karate students know little or nothing about the historical roots of their art.  This book explores the possibility that ancient karate masters Sokon Matsumura and Yasutune Itosu developed a new martial art for their royal bodyguards.  This new martial art turned out to be karate.  In fact, many of the mysteries of karate kata are revealed in this book.  There are 12 chapters, detailing the historical journey of karate development.  There is so much information in this 312 page book, that reading it only once you may miss a lot of its valuable points.  For those who are into the historical aspects of Shotokan Karate, this is a must book to read and own.  Though I still question the author's conclusions on many of this theories; nevertheless, this is a book that will make you think more deeply on the art of Shotokan Karate.

Rating:  4 stars.  Joseph J. Truncale (Bushi Satori Ryu: Author:  Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Techniques: Practical Combat Karate for the Street)
4767330
Wow. I thought this would be all throws. There are throws, counter throws, a whole soi age seciton, a whle osoto gari section, Tai Otoshis, Harai Goshis, and Uchimatas galor from all kinds of setups andcounters. Tere are a handful of throws off of the Kimura hold. There are even some good old double and single leg takedowns. There are methods of clinching and even striking to get the clinch. There's a section on Judo pins. Mount, Side Control, Scarf, reverse scarf,and north-south all have their own sections on transitions and sumissions. There are a lot of unique Hayastan/Gokor style subs I have NEVER seen in 13 years of MA training. The book ends with Ground and Pound techniques.

If you want to fight like Karo, this IS the book for you!
3326346
While the book is a discussion of the ups and downs of Taira Masakado, along the way it explains in a fair amount of detail the fight styles (ambushes, small group fighting) of the Heian samurai - how their arms (bow, arrow) and armor influenced military tactics [effective arrow range of 20~30 yards against armor], the importance of mounted cavalry, and the relatively small scale of armies and battles of the time.  Very different from the large scale combat of later periods (such as the sengoku period).

The author has extensive training in the old Japanese martial arts (koryu bujutsu) and it shows in his clear explanations. He is also a professor of Japanese history of U of Georgia.  Of the three books of his I've read ( Legacis of the Sword, Hired Swords, The First Samurai) this is the most fun to read - the others are quite scholarly.
2607924
Although Bushido Masters don't like books, as you can see from the amount of ancient material that has been written about Bushido, this is an interesting book to browse through its well edited pages. It is though a PICTORIAL rather than a teaching material.
It should be used to be watched more than to learn the katas. If your interest is to learn the style the best alternative is to look for a certified Dojo that pratices Katori Shinto Ryu than to try and repeat the things that are seen here.
Nothing can replace the teachings of a Budo Master, no book can do that. So as I said before, this is like watching the Mount Fuji on a picture - nice to watch, but far away from the real experience that using a sword gives the iaijutsu practitian.
4959102
While learning some Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu, I heard good things about Kancho Joko Ninomiya's "Sabaki Challenge" and its interesting and excellent Enshin Karate-Do. So, years later, I found the author's two books "Sabaki Method" and "My Journey in Karate". I was only going to get "Sabaki Method" for technical research and learning -- but decided to get the auto-biography "My Journey in Karate" as well -- reckoning an Art and its Artist are not separate. I am now glad I got both books as they are both well-written, interesting and informative. Kancho Joko Ninomiya eventually, after years of intense effort, injury and failure, won the "All-Japan Tournament" in 1978 -- intense full-contact knock-down Karate allowing grappling. Kancho Joko Ninomiya is very strong in Sumo and Judo as well as full-contact Karate inspired by Ashihara from Mas Oyama. Kancho Joko Ninomiya is a wonderful exemplar of Karate-Do -- what it means to seek, find and walk a path of personal perfection thru an Art and its Way +++
3826387
A great selection of chokes to practice. Almost all of these techs come from Goju-ryu which is a very old yet effective branch of karate. This book is wonderful for a beginner.