Best Karate, Vol.1: Comprehensive (Best Karate, 1)

By Masatoshi Nakayama

Book Overview

All the basic points of karate arranged systematically for effective learning, step by step--the parts of the body used as natural weapons, the stances, how to block, how to attack, introduction to the kata and to kumite.

The fundamentals as presented in this volume, briefly but accurately, are the distillation of the author's forty-six years' experience in this art of self-defense. As well as setting forth the basic rules that must be put into practice when performing kata or applying techniques in kumite, this volume pinpoints the underlying physical and physiological principles of karate: source and concentration of power; stance, form, stability and technique; movement in all directions; basic and comprehensive aspects of training.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870113178
• ISBN13: 9780870113178
• Release Date: October 1977
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 5.9"

Customer Reviews

A fantastic guide to karate basics by the late Master Nakayama.

The entire "Best Karate" series by Master Nakayama are must have books for all Shotokan Karate students. . This is the first book in the series and is a must read by anyone who desires to learn the vital basic techniques of Shotokan karate. Basic blocks, punches, strikes and kicks are shown as well as how to flow from one technique to another. As anyone who has studied Shotokan karate knows, the basics are practiced in every training session. This book in combination with actual training under an instructor, will make you better at karate. In conclusion, if you are serious about learning true Shotokan karate, you will want this book. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Techniques: Combat Karate for the Street, Martial Art Myths, Season of the Warrior, Never Trust a Politician, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques).

This Entire Series Is Nothing Short Of Phenomenal

This series is without-a-doubt, hands down, simply the best series of books ever written on the Japanese martial art of Shotokan Karate. The format and layout for this series of books is exceptional and the only negative thing I could possibly allude to is more of a selfish comment in the fact that I would have liked to have seen each book in the series be even longer and filled with even more solid information. These books are well written and easy to learn from, although some of them do require a bit of previous knowledge in Shotokan Karate in order to get the benefits from it, but this should be obvious, hence the sequential volumes. This particular volume explains and demonstrates a lot of the basic techniques of Shotokan Karate. I highly recommend this and any of the books in the series without reservation. Shawn Kovacich Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Best karate book I've read

I studied from this book's spanish version. The precision with which Nakayama Sensei explained each technique is the closest thing to having a karate master teaching you the art. Even when nothing replaces the dojo experience, this series of books are the finest. Totally recommended