This section of KTJW has been created to highlight only the best companies that cater to karate students and schools. There are a TON of guys out there who are vying for your hard-earned cash. Just about every month I get a book, video, or DVD to examine and review for KTJW. The worst of it usually doesn’t get mentioned at all (Remember what your mother said, "If you can’t say something nice…"). I also actively purchase books and videos that I think are interesting, or review worthy. So, after looking very carefully at many of these guys out there, these are the few that are truly the best out there. If you need a book, DVD, video, new karate uniform, or karate periodical to read, you need to contact these guys here. You just can’t go wrong. These are the companies and individuals that KTJW proudly supports:
- DAVID GOMEZ
- If you are looking for the best DVD/video introduction to how and why Shotokan karate works, David is the man to contact. The Essential Shotokan DVD series (and workbook) are featured throughout KTJW. There is a good reason for that. David Gomez does brilliant work. Here is a company that has set the bar high yet makes explanations and demonstrations clear and concise. Follow the link and inquire within. http://www.essential-shotokan.com/
- JON KEELING
- So, you’ve been doing karate for awhile, decided that you want to do this martial art for a while. Your first karate uniform is getting a little thin, getting a little wrecked. That introductory gi is not going to cut it. Call on Jon to get you fitted for the same karate uniforms students and teachers wear in Japan. This is the gi that is built to last. I love this gi, and own several. http://www.tokaidojapan.com/
- SKM
- Shotokan Karate Magazine, the trail-blazing periodical of its time. Serving and informing the public for more than 20 years, John Cheetham is a titan in promoting and educating the public on all things karate. Often full of excellent articles, interviews, and letters, this magazine has much to offer. Get your subscription today. http://www.zee.com/skmn/index.php
- SHOTOMAG
- It’s new. It’s cutting edge. It’s informative. It’s the latest Shotokan karate focused magazine out there. Editor-in-chief, Jon Keeling is the man with the plan, the head honcho, the big kabob. This new publication promises to be quite cool. It’s also free, so that’s cool too. http://www.shotomag.com
- TAMASHII PRESS
- A karate-focused publisher, Tamashi Press picks up where Damashi press ended. Featuring many books by Stan Schmidt of South Africa, as well as the fabulous must-haves of Elmar Schmeisser, Tamashii has quite a few karate book jewels in its treasure trove. For those who are looking to take their karate up and beyond the fundamentals of moving up and down the floor endlessly, Tamashii Press has materials to help and instruct you. http://www.tamashiipress.com/
- E/B PRODUCTIONS
- Joel Ertl has been recording karate to video for longer than most. Having created and committed an extensive syllabus to video he has been serving the Shotokan community for many years. Although it is possible to purchase kata/fundamentals videos from Japan featuring the masters, I far prefer E/B Productions as the instruction is clearer, the formats are easy to follow, and they are extremely well organized and helpful. Check these guys out! http://www.karatevid.com/
- MONA BOOKS
- What bookstore is focused primarily on martial arts related books? Mona Books is. If there is something that you can’t find, if there is something specific that you are looking for, give these guys a shout. They make martial arts books their business and are a tremendous support for educating the martial arts public. Think about giving these guys your business before you trundle out to one of the big chains out there. http://www.monabooks.co.uk
- TONY ANNESI
- An educator through and through, Tony Annesi, master instructor with Bushido-Kai takes his karate very seriously. He is also an accomplished Aikido teacher as well. Prepared to take karate to the next level, to research and explore karate in a variety of creative ways, and unafraid to continue pushing himself to learn and discover, Bushido-Kai has some marvelous material for you to submerse yourself in. Bushido-Kai is also the producer of video sessions with Elmar Schmeisser teaching the Channan kata. You’ve just got to that. http://www.bushido-kai.net/index.html
- LEGEND PRODUCTIONS
- Ged Morgan has dedicated himself to the preservation and production of many karate DVDs and archived video material. Two prominent video/DVD productions have been reviewed on KTJW and I have been extremely impressed. Interested in seeing some extremely rare and historically fascinating material? Contact Ged Morgan and see the table he has set up at http://www.legendtv.co.uk/
- SCHLATT BOOKS
- I like Schlatt. He cracks me up. He is also very smart, and tremendously talented. Author of the definitive Shotokan Dictionary, as well as producing a few other interesting texts, you need to contact this guy and check out what he has to offer. My dog-eared Shotokan Dictionary is evidence enough that when it comes to figuring out the intricacies of the myriad of karate technique, some of it which would slip off into oblivion otherwise, Schlatt is your man. Buy his book! http://www.schlatt-books.de/index.html
If you have any suggestions for top-notch quality companies that make the best karate-related material, books, DVDs or anything else please let me know! MG.