Karate Books |  |
Books to Buy
All of the titles below come highly recommended by the DCU Karate Club. Scroll down to a brief summary of each book.
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Title |
Author |
Synopsis |
Dynamic Karate
|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed explanations and photographs of all fundamental Shotokan techniques and how to apply them. Does not cover kata. |
Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution
|
Randall G Hassell |
Covers the history of Shotokan from Okinawa to Japan and its subsequent dissemination internationally, but from an American perspective. |
Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness
|
CW Nicol |
The memoirs of one of the first Westerners to train extensively at the JKA HQ in Tokyo during the 1960’s. |
The Book of Five Rings
|
Miyamoto Musashi |
The strategy and teachings of the legendary Japanese swordsman and warrior born in 1584. |
The Heart of Karate-do
|
Shigeru Egami |
Covers, basic technique, kumite and kata (very briefly). The techniques demonstrated and described relate more to Shotokai than Shotokan, but it is interesting to make comparisons. |
|
Morio Higaonna |
Covers the history of Goju-ryu karate on Okinawa and in Japan. |
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Gichin Funakoshi |
A translation of one of Funakoshi’s first books, published in 1922. Most of the book is given over to the original 15 kata of Shotokan, but basic techniques and kumite are also briefly covered. In addition, there are sections on the history, goals and development of karate. Interesting to compare the techniques and attitudes of the 1920’s with those of today. |
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|
Patrick McCarthy |
A translation and explanation of the classical Chinese martial arts manuscript known as the Bubishi. Also covers the history of karate from China, through Okinawa to Japan. |
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Karate-do: My Way of Life
|
Gichin Funakoshi |
The autobiography of Gichin Funakoshi – considered to be the father of Shotokan karate. |
| Shotokan Karate: A precise history |
Harry Cook |
Covers the history of Shotokan from Okinawa to Japan and its subsequent dissemination internationally. |
Karate: The Art of Empty-hand Fighting
|
Hidetaka Nishiyama / Richard C Brown |
First published in 1960, this is one of the first books written in English on Shotokan. Provides detailed explanations and photographs of all the fundamental techniques. Also covers kumite and kata (but only heian yondan). |
Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text
|
Gichin Funakoshi |
Most of this book is given over to the original 15 kata of Shotokan, but basic techniques and kumite are also covered. Note however that several of the techniques demonstrated are slightly different from JKA influenced Shotokan and relate more to Shotokai karate. |
Karate-do Nyumon: The Master Introductory Text
|
Gichin Funakoshi |
Demonstrates basic techniques and basic kumite. Note however that most of the techniques demonstrated are slightly different from JKA influenced Shotokan and relate more to Shotokai karate (but it is interesting to make a comparison). Also contains historical background and anecdotes. |
Best Karate, Vol.1: Comprehensive
|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Demonstrates and explains the basic techniques, kumite and kata of Shotokan. |
Best Karate, Vol.2: Fundamentals
|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of all the basic/fundamental Shotokan techniques. |
Best Karate, Vol.3: Kumite 1
|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Descriptions and demonstrations of the favourite kumite techniques of some the top instructors from the JKA. |
|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
More descriptions and demonstrations of the favourite kumite techniques of some the top practitioners from the JKA. |
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Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
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|
Masatoshi Nakayama |
Detailed descriptions and photographs of the moves (and some applications) of the kata in the title. |
Books to Borrow from DCU Library
|
Title |
Author |
|
Basic karate katas |
John Smith |
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Karate-do nyumon : the master introductory text |
Gichin Funakoshi |
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Conversations with karate masters |
Clive Layton |
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How to train with weights for success in karate |
Bernard Beverley |
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Beginning Karate |
Tonny Tulleners |
|
Karate |
Karl Oldgate |
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Dynamic karate : instruction by the master |
Masatoshi Nakayama |
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Shotokan karate : 10th kyu to 6th kyu |
Keinosuke Enoeda |
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Shotokan karate : 5th kyu to black belt |
Keinosuke Enoeda |
|
Karate kata : applications |
Aidan Trimble |
|
Best Karate / M. Nakayama |
Masatoshi Nakayama |
