ISI DCU Karate Club
 

   

Karate Books

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Books to Buy

All of the titles below come highly recommended by the DCU Karate Club. Scroll down to a brief summary of each book.



Title

Author

Synopsis

Dynamic Karate

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed explanations and photographs of all fundamental Shotokan techniques and how to apply them. Does not cover kata.

Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution

Randall G Hassell

Covers the history of Shotokan from Okinawa to Japan and its subsequent dissemination internationally, but from an American perspective.

Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness

CW Nicol

The memoirs of one of the first Westerners to train extensively at the JKA HQ in Tokyo during the 1960’s.

The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto Musashi

The strategy and teachings of the legendary Japanese swordsman and warrior born in 1584.

The Heart of Karate-do

Shigeru Egami

Covers, basic technique, kumite and kata (very briefly). The techniques demonstrated and described relate more to Shotokai than Shotokan, but it is interesting to make comparisons.

The History of Karate: Okinawan Goju-ryu

Morio Higaonna

Covers the history of Goju-ryu karate on Okinawa and in Japan.

To-te Jitsu

Gichin Funakoshi

A translation of one of Funakoshi’s first books, published in 1922. Most of the book is given over to the original 15 kata of Shotokan, but basic techniques and kumite are also briefly covered. In addition, there are sections on the history, goals and development of karate. Interesting to compare the techniques and attitudes of the 1920’s with those of today.

Bubishi: The bible of karate

Patrick McCarthy

A translation and explanation of the classical Chinese martial arts manuscript known as the Bubishi. Also covers the history of karate from China, through Okinawa to Japan.

Karate-do: My Way of Life

Gichin Funakoshi

The autobiography of Gichin Funakoshi – considered to be the father of Shotokan karate.

Shotokan Karate: A precise history

Harry Cook

Covers the history of Shotokan from Okinawa to Japan and its subsequent dissemination internationally.

Karate: The Art of Empty-hand Fighting

Hidetaka Nishiyama / Richard C Brown

First published in 1960, this is one of the first books written in English on Shotokan. Provides detailed explanations and photographs of all the fundamental techniques. Also covers kumite and kata (but only heian yondan).

Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text

Gichin Funakoshi

Most of this book is given over to the original 15 kata of Shotokan, but basic techniques and kumite are also covered. Note however that several of the techniques demonstrated are slightly different from JKA influenced Shotokan and relate more to Shotokai karate.

Karate-do Nyumon: The Master Introductory Text

Gichin Funakoshi

Demonstrates basic techniques and basic kumite. Note however that most of the techniques demonstrated are slightly different from JKA influenced Shotokan and relate more to Shotokai karate (but it is interesting to make a comparison). Also contains historical background and anecdotes.

Best Karate, Vol.1: Comprehensive

Masatoshi Nakayama

Demonstrates and explains the basic techniques, kumite and kata of Shotokan.

Best Karate, Vol.2: Fundamentals

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of all the basic/fundamental Shotokan techniques.

Best Karate, Vol.3: Kumite 1

Masatoshi Nakayama

Descriptions and demonstrations of the favourite kumite techniques of some the top instructors from the JKA.

Best Karate, Vol.4: Kumite 2

Masatoshi Nakayama

More descriptions and demonstrations of the favourite kumite techniques of some the top practitioners from the JKA.

Best Karate, Vol.5: Heian, Tekki

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.6: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.7: Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.8: Gankaku, Jion

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.9: Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Chinte

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.10: Unsu, Sochin, Nijushiho

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Best Karate, Vol.11: Gojushiho-dai, Gojushiho-sho, Meikyo

Masatoshi Nakayama

Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title.

Books to Borrow from DCU Library

Title

Author

Basic karate katas

John Smith

Karate-do nyumon : the master introductory text

Gichin Funakoshi

Conversations with karate masters

Clive Layton

How to train with weights for success in karate

Bernard Beverley

Beginning Karate

Tonny Tulleners

Karate

Karl Oldgate

Dynamic karate : instruction by the master

Masatoshi Nakayama

Shotokan karate : 10th kyu to 6th kyu

Keinosuke Enoeda

Shotokan karate : 5th kyu to black belt

Keinosuke Enoeda

Karate kata : applications

Aidan Trimble

Best Karate / M. Nakayama

Masatoshi Nakayama