Product Description

Learn how the hard-style karate that became shotokan took shape in 19th century Okinawa as an embattled king with an unarmed force of bodyguards faced an armed invasion from overseas. In this new 328-page book, author Bruce D. Clayton, Ph.D., uses rare sketches, footnoted historical research, archival lithographs, period photographs and contemporary technique demonstrations to reveal shotokan’s deadly intent and propose modern practical applications of such knowledge. Achieve a new level of theoretical understanding and fighting ability by learning Shotokan’s Secret for yourself!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183878 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 329 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780897501446
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Reviews

Interesting, if questionable, look at karate history
In "Shotokan's Secret", Bruce Clayton seeks to understand the environment under which Shotokan's parent art, Shuri-te, originated and developed. He paints a picture of an Okinawa in which every administrator in the royal court was a deadly practitioner of unarmed combat, and brutish Samurai and US Marines were the chief agressors, intent on deposing the puppet king of the island. The descriptions are quite vivid and, if such circumstances are assumed to be true, might very well explain why Shotokan developed as it did, with the emphasis on long-ranged techniques, deep stances, and virtually no grappling.

The primary problem I have with this book is that the situation that Clayton presents, which is necessary if we are to accept his logic about Shotokan's development, is based largely on supposition. The records of Okinawa during this time period are scarce at best, by the author's admission. What he does is look at modern bodyguard doctrine, and the kata found in Shotokan, and try to find a convenient place for the two to merge. It's as if, in realizing that his round peg won't fit into the square hole of reality, he decides to simply carve his own hole. In addition, he admits that the circumstances that he imagines Shuri-te developed under are impractical for modern self-defense. So, then, it becomes at best a point of historical interest; at worst, it's a vivid imagination at work, trying to justify modern Shotokan's less-than-realistic modern practices.

That said, this book has many points in it that I enjoy. His descriptions of the Tokugawa shogunate and the social order it strictly enforced, coupled with his explainations of honne and tatemae, should be required reading for any student of the Japanese arts. His bunkai, while a little unrealistic at times (when's the last time you wore a jacket and had four people all grab the collar area?), is certainly fun to play with; specifically, his interpretation of Tekki movements as the use of a human shield caught my eye. And lastly... very much lastly... if we assume his suppositions of the Shuri Crucible to be accurate, Shotokan's movements suddenly make much more sense.

To summarize, Clayton basically says, "This is the environment in which Shotokan developed; it's unnecessary to keep it this way, so it's OK to change it to fit our current needs, but of course I've got no evidence about that first part anyway." It's much more interesting to look at it from the point of view of a lesson of Japanese/Okinawan culture as opposed to a solid book on history or even bunkai. It makes for an extremely interesting read, despite some grandious claims (that Matsumura "invented" linear techniques, as if no one threw a straight punch before 1850). Students of culture might find it most useful, as well as anyone looking to justify the deep stances and long techniques of modern Shotokan karate, but the `history' is questionable at best. Read with a discriminating eye.

A must read for anyone interested in martial arts!
Though I've not studied Okinawan karate in ten years, (and never Shotokan), I've read this book twice in as many weeks because I could not put it down. I've also recommended it to my taekwondo students and others.

A truly remarkable, scholarly work -- part historical detective novel, part concise taxonomy of various branches of the karate family, part practical self-defense guide (the part about fighting on stairs is something I've never even heard discussed or really thought much about), and part manifesto for a modern revolution in the way martial arts are learned and taught.

Dr. Clayton, who obviously loves this topic, provides us with move by move interpretations ("bunkai", in Japanese) of several karate forms ("kata") and their applications, and makes some brilliant deductions about how and why the forms were changed by various stylists over the last century or so, which secrets were shared and which were not, and what it all means for us today.

Although the book reads like a well-written work of fiction, you can't help but learn a thing or two about topics as far-flung as Asian cultures and languages, history, geography, biomechanics, and the pedagogy of martial arts. Along the way, the author will regale you with legends and stories about the great masters you may or may not have heard (I'd thought I'd heard them all -- not even!)

The bibliography alone is worth the price.

A very refreshing, innovative and thought-provoking book!
This book came highly recommended to me and I've thoroughly enjoyed it! I know it's a bit of cliché, but I really could not put it down. It really is a marvellous book on kata bunkai which puts forward some very thought-provoking theories on the development of karate. "Shotokan's Secret" is a truly unique take on kata bunkai that is sure to be enjoyed by all practically minded martial artists. The book is definitely a must read for all those interested in practical karate / bunkai. Superb!

Iain Abernethy 5th Dan - Author of Bunkai-Jutsu: The Practical Application of Karate Kata