KTJW
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A very interesting and well presented book, using an informal approach to a usually serious topic. Easy read and informative, a good buy for the student with an interest in karate in Japan or any student wishing to understand Karate better. Ideal for those not yet at the Dan grade level.
The paper quality provides a positive feel to the book. It is not too glossy and not too matt. Gives an impression of quality and sensible formality. A book that would look good in the home Karate library.
The title makes one wonder what it is about as it is not overly descriptive like `Karate for 10kyu to 6kyu', or `become a Black Belt in 12 months'. It creates an interest in the would-be reader.
Initial scan through highlights a lot of `usual' content like the dojo kun, Japanese counting and grading syllabus but the writing style is informal and has a hint of humour. This motivates one to read further.
On first viewing I ended up spot reading some paragraphs that caught my eye and it left me with the desire to read it further.
Quite wordy. Seems a bit of an overkill.
Concise and well written, with a degree of reserve. Takao Taniguchi does not refer to himself or his background at all. Maybe this is correct but as a reader I thought `I wonder what this man is like?'
Good and personal level interface.
Presented like talking to the author, links to website and makes the reader feel welcome.
Refer to Japan as origin of Karate, should this not be Okinawa, or is one supposed to assume that they as meant as one?
There is reference to `before we get into Karate' and then you describe `Kyokushin Karate'. I think the initial reference to Karate means Shotokan. Could be unclear to the reader with less understanding.
On page 14, under Kata - the last sentence seems to duplicate the previous sentence in meaning.
Reference to kyu grades and colours is very different to most UK clubs and associations. I think the absence of reference to UK and European structure enforces a view that the book is aimed at North American and Japanese readers. May not be a good aspect in promoting the book in the UK.
Reference to Dan grades only going to 9 before death seems strange as the well know Shihan Kanazawa is 10th Dan and very much alive. What is described may be the `philosophy' but maybe should be clarified as such.
Seem rather dismissive of Ki. Could be very controversial point as there is a lot written about the development and use of Ki and I think quite a few people sincerely believe in it.
Guidance on Japanese pronunciation very good and `at last!!!!' someone who questions why speak Japanese in a foreign country as part of the syllabus? Personally, I think a few Japanese words add flavour but the way my ex head of association bullies kids when they don't know the Japanese word is unnecessary.
Having read this on the website, very interesting and worthy incorporating. I wonder what your KYU gradings were like and how many you did?
Interesting chapter to read on the dojo too.
Some very sensible advice. Something to add may be? only choose an instructor who still trains (unless he is in advanced years and very senior!), avoid those who stopped at 30 and continue to be awarded grades politically as their methods are usually out of date and technical understanding limited.
A good instructor should also be empathetic of other people's situations. Shihan Kanazawa is and advises us oldies not to do certain things in the way that younger men should do them. (stances, repetitive training, etc)
Good teachers should also have a plan on how to develop students past Shodan. Many don't.. they do not see it as a continual journey.
Good general advice.
The minimum 20 minute warm-up is interesting. I do not disagree but when this is part of a 1 hour lesson, not much karate is done? Maybe our lessons are too short! We usually do 15 minutes, sometimes less.
Good Kihon explanations.
Good chapter, glad you mentioned maai
Interesting chapter and very useful to those new to Karate. In UK (my old association) even adults have to repeat the kun, which does seem a bit juvenile but then the instructors tend to be very autocratic and directive. Rarely explain the detail of the technique and certainly no knowledge of the history.
I have not seen the probationary Black belt used. Here we tend to pass or fail, more judgemental than developmental.
Ju-dan to ku-dan point re Kanazawa.
Good close to the book. Made for interesting reading.
`The Japanese Way' tends not to cover the Japanese Way as a whole so maybe more reference to other areas or approaches may be in order. You refer to training elsewhere in Japan.
A really good read, one I enjoyed and thank you for the opportunity to do the review.
Malcolm R Bates
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