Product Description

11 Innovations in Karate represents Sugiyama Sensei’s life-time work in training and teaching Karate-do: the text is a compilation of many of his shorter works with information concerning his most recent drills and investigations into Ki. It is a culmination of practice, innovation, investigation, and experimentation which, if you study it well, will lead to further refinement in the mental, spiritual, and physical aspects of your Karate.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #343846 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 274 pages

About the Author
Shojiro Sugiyama is known by his colleagues as a maverick. He teaches traditional Karate in a very contemporary way. Even though he teaches traditional Karate, almost every one of his approaches to training are different than traditional methods. His intent is to make Karate easier to comprehend and learn. Unfortunately many Karate instructors use a "Monkey see Monkey do" approach to teaching - Sugiyama doesn't. If a college is a place where one goes to learn how to think then the Sugiyama Dojo (school) is where one goes to teach oneself Karate through thought and reason. Sugiyama encourages questions and debate. His job as teacher is to help his students gain a better understanding of Karate and guide their learning so that they can improve. He believes that eventually every student should become better than the teacher. Similarly, Sugiyama's books reflect his unique approach to Karate. 25 Shoto-Kan Kata was the first book to use three dimensional drawings. His other books also break new ground and continue to develop the art of Karate. He believes that just as the student should surpass the teacher his books will eventually become obsolete (or collector's items) as new books are written. This constant drive toward innovation and development marks Sugiyama as a one of a kind Karate instructor. Shojiro Sugiyama was born in Tokyo in 1929. In 1954, after training in two other styles of Karate, he began studying with the Japan Karate Association (Yotsuya), Japan. In 1963, he was invited to come to Chicago to teach Karate. He continues to teach Karate at his dojo located on the north side of Chicago.

Customer Reviews

Amazing
This book contains so much information about Karate and so many innovative training techniques that it's hard to know where to start in reviewing this book!

Having taken classes with Sensei Sugiyama, one is immediately impressed with the way that Sugiyama Sensei teaches - he provides concise and clear explanations of WHY karate techniques are done a certain way. The student leaves the class not only learning a kata or a technique but also UNDERSTANDING its meaning and how it applies in a larger context.

11 INNOVATIONS IN KARATE follows this same approach and is the compilation of many years of work, study and innovation (note: Sugiyama is constantly revising and updating his teaching approach).

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in improving their karate.

Insighful and Thought-Provoking !
This book distills lessons from over 50 years of practicing and teaching Karate by the author. Written for both a beginner and Karate veteran, the book penetrates into the heart of Karate by explaining the fundamental and more advanced concepts and showing how to apply them in a safe and seemingly enjoyable way. In addition, the book entertains with several insightful anecdotes from old Japan. It is also a nice reference to Japanese terminology of Budo as it applies to Karate. (Buy it before it goes out of print?)

WOW!
After practicing Shotokan karate for 38 years...I just wish I had this book available when I started. This book is not for beginners however..it is a wealth for everyone at dan rank. What a great work! I recommend his other kata "bible" "25 Shotokan Kata" also.