Product Description

Produced by the Japan Karate Association under the technical direction of its Chief Instructor, Masatoshi Nakayama, this updated and newly re-released English language version of the series is better than the original in many ways. The enhanced quality offered by the DVD format is remarkable, the navigational menus/chapters a great convenience, and newly added, illustrated historical sections by Shotokan historian Harry Cook that start each volume, of enormous value in understanding the development of kata within the Shotokan movement in general, and the Japan Karate Association in particular. Each DVD in the five part series includes at least two of the old VHS volumes at a reduction in price of around 60%. Running time 70 minutes

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132962 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-06-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

Classical Fighting Arts magazine Issue 9
"The long awaited rebirth of a technical series considered essential viewing for all Shotokan enthusiasts, whatever their level of expertise."

From the Actor
Contents: Heian 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & Tekki 1. Kata demonstrations and instruction by: M. Tanaka, A. Isaka, Y. Osaka, M. Yahara, T. Imura and other senior Japan Karate Association instructors.

About the Actor
Masatoshi Nakayama was a senior student of Gichin Funakoshi, the Founder of Shotokan karate, during the early 1930s. On his return to Japan after WWII, as a member of the faculty of Takushoku University, Tokyo, he created the technical core that would grow into the Japan Karate Association. His assistants in this series are former All Japan Champions noted for their technical ability. The lavishly illustrated introductions to each volume, some of which include film clips from the 1950s & 1960s, are written by Harry Cook, author of the now legendary "Shotokan Karate A Precise History," a book that was chosen as an exhibit in the Japan 2000 Expo in Europe.

Customer Reviews

Maleko
The best Shotakan video I have viewed. Great sound, color and easy to follow. They showed excellent practicle applications.

Great if you're looking for a refresher
Let me start with the format. The copy I received was burned DVD-R with a home-made label. My DVD player chokes on it about halfway through the disc. The second issue I have is that if you're still trying to learn the katas, the guy moves pretty fast. It's hard to stay up with him (even after they slow him down). It is a bit more difficult to follow a video than it is to watch a 3-D class of students and teachers who turn with you (once you're not facing the screen, it's hard to follow along). I was expecting a little more commentary on how each form was done (they do mention when to keep a heel down here and there). I was hoping for more of a "forward stance here, moving into a cat stance, high block, high block, middle punch..." etc.

I was a little disappointed in this one. Also, the only kata is the first form and a little of Tekki. The beginning history of kata was kind of interesting, but past that, this wasn't exactly what I was looking for.