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Book Review: Karate-Do: My Way of Life

Author: Gichin Funakoshi

Reviewer: Mark Groenewold

Date: March, 2003

In developing this web-site, I am finding that there are books that absolutely “demand” to be reviewed, and that some texts must have some kind of editorial comment. There are books that are considered “classic” texts, and books that are thought to be “must-reads” in order for any self-respecting karate guy to consider himself well-read. This is one of those books. By many it is required reading. I think that it is interesting, and albeit, leaving many questions unanswered, is a book full of anecdotal accounts and advise about the “truest heart” of karate. I have to admit, that being a bit of sucker for good story-telling, I fell a little under the spell of this little book.

The gloss for this text say that only after great reluctance Gichin Funakoshi wrote this autobiography after he was ninety years old. Many of his stories, however, read like a well rehearsed dialogue of movie-making caliber. His accounts of the past are most certainly held in question, although the spirit and intent behind these tales may be seen in a generous and favorable light. My only point is that although story-telling is part of the human attempt to recount, and make sense of the past, there are many reasons that such accounts may slowly develop into folklore, if not out-right myth. There is nothing particular folklore-ish that I wish to challenge at this time, it is just that the style in which these tales are told, complete with carefully recollected dialogue, needs to be absorbed by the reader with a grain of salt. Otherwise, enjoy these stories for what they are.

My favorite part of the book is at the end when Gichin Funakoshi talks about Karate For Everyone. I think that the entire section should be carved on walls of every dojo - although we might want to drop the sentence or two about the proper karate woman never prevailing over her husband. LOL! This book is a good read, not a historical read, but an enjoyable escape and perhaps even a kind of re-affirmation as to why you are getting into your karate gi every few days and paying your pound of flesh on the dojo floor.

Recommended, but not required reading. Enjoy it for what it is!

Mark Groenewold
Kanazawa, Japan
March, 2003

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