Product Description

Generously illustrated with over 700 clear photographs, Secrets of Shotokan Karate offers an in-depth look at the world's most popular martial art, with strategies, techniques, and drills to instruct new students and help current practitioners excel. It is a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and theory of Shotokan Karate, interwoven with relevant philosophy and historical context. Secrets of Shotokan Karate provides the reader with expert instruction and a greater understanding and appreciation of the art.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #719239 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 246 pages

About the Author
Robin L. Rielly holds a sixth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate from the Japan Karate Association and a second-degree black belt in Shin Kage-Ryu from the Kobukan School in Yokohama, Japan. He is the author of Tuttle's Complete Shotokan Karate and Japan's Complete Fighting System: Shin Kage Ryu. He is currently chairman of the Technical Committee for the East Coast Karate Association.

Customer Reviews

Shotokan Revealed
The Secrets of Shotokan Karate by Robin L. Rielly Is a must have for those who want to get the most out Shotokan-ryu. Together with mister Rielly's Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, no more thorough grounding in Shotokan-ryu can be had. But if what you are looking for is a book for the beginner to learn the fundamentals I would suggest getting Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown's Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting, ISBN 0-8048-1668-9.

The Secrets of Shotokan Karate details the methods for generating balance, stability, force, and speed. Explained are the principles of distancing, timing, hip and stance shifting, and strategy. Of special interest is the section on hip shifting for it is one of the more subtle connections Karate has with the Chinese arts of Taijiquan and Kung Fu. Separate chapters are devoted to Kumite and Kata. The chapter on Kumite includes helpful drills for mastering this aspect of the art. The chapter on Kata is especially enlightening in explaining what is meant by the "hidden meaning of Kata". Included in the Kata chapter is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Kanku Dai and its applications.

This book takes the Karate-ka from a mere practitioners of an exercise to the mastery of the techniques and principles required for the making of a martial artist.

Enlightening Martial Arts Book
The Secrets of Shotokan Karate is well-written. The photos, all in black and white are easy to understand, as are the explanations of the fighting techniques. This book is suitable for martial artists at all levels.

A-Z hand book of shotokan.
The author gives excellent background and history of this martial art form. Excellent descriptions and understand of forms through photos and detail descriptions of movements. Easy to read and put to practical use. Recommend this text for anyone who has an interest in the martial art discipline.