Have you ever been to school for a number of years, thinking that you have a few things figured out, only to realize that you are mostly ignorant of so many things out there? Have you ever thought, “There is no way I can learn everything that I need to.”? Have you ever met someone who is so masterful in what they do, in their research and deep understanding of a given topic that you are simply in awe, and want to hang around as much as possible in hope that some of what this person knows and can do will rub off?

Meet Tony Annesi. He is the kind of karate instructor that you want to know. He is exactly the kind of karate teacher who will not only gently show you all the things that you don’t know, but give you some tools to start understanding karate for yourself, for real, forever. Tony Annesi is a man who was a school teacher for a number of years so he knows how to teach. He understands students. He understands the learning process. He is able to do what so many talented karate men and women cannot do. He can not only perform, but he can transcend what he can do himself and implant his knowledge and approach in others.

Tony Annesi sent me this marvelous set of videos. I had to watch them three times to get just some of the information he has to offer in my head. I will definitely watch and refer to this material again and again. The information that is packed into this set of videos, as well as the accompanying handbook is worth many more times the selling price. To get this kind of quality karate kata instruction you would literally have to travel the globe. Tony Annesi delivers where so many karate instructors fail.

The primary premise of this series is that kata is often much more than it appears to be. To an outsider, the kata is a nice looking performance piece, and something that only super athletes seem to make come alive as they leap and pose beautifully on the tournament floor, their bare feet gripping the foamy mats underfoot while their competitors number with attached sponsor’s name flutters in the wind. If you are a kata player that wants hints how to make your forms as beautiful and as pleasing to the eye in competition, this is the worst kata series on video you could buy.

But, if you are interested in seeing and learning how karate kata is really a set of codified moves for self-defense, and wish to be better equipped with a sensible mind-set for examining kata, this is a must-own. Tony Annesi’s work is not one that “deconstructs” what others are doing in karate kata performance, his work is not antagonistic in the least. Instead, with great enthusiasm, love, and celebration of the kata, he takes us along on an exploration of how these forms may very well have been carefully prepared sets of instruction for karate students to learn how to survive violent encounters, how to generate power, and how to focus on using aggressive power against one’s aggressor. This is truly remarkable work, articulate, and smart. Tony Annesi is the kind of karate instructor we would all be extremely fortunate to have.

This set is broken down into three subsections:
• Volume One: Igata and Kata
• Volume Two: Types and Modes of Bunkai
• Volume Three: 10 Tips for Analyzing Kata

There is also an accompanying text to go along with the videos entitled, “Cracking the Kata Code: How Does a Kata Mean?”

If you are hoping to find a nice lovely set of videos and text to put on the shelf and not really use, you will likely find this work unappealing. The videos, although recorded on top quality tape and beautifully produced have very utilitarian, bordering on ugly, covers. Also the text book is meant to be tossed into your equipment bag as you take it to the dojo. It is a manual, not so much a book with beautifully embossed lettering on the cover. Tony Annesi has a very minimalist and pragmatic approach to how kata is supposed to work, and the covers for this material reflect that noble pragmatism. The more I look at the cover art and think about how these kata work, the more I like them. To me, it seems to be the perfect fit.

This work is really designed not for any student who is just beginning to discover how to move through the kata. These videos and text is for the advanced student, the beginning instructor, the instructor who has been around for awhile, the instructor who is dissatisfied with the explanations received on kata bunkai thus far, for the instructor who wants to take kata to the next level, and for those who need professional guidance and ideas how better to learn, and teach kata.

If you think that you already have kata figured out, you need to do yourself a favor and go back to school with Tony Annesi. The man is a masterful instructor, and most certainly worthy of your time and focussed attention. Sensei Tony Annesi can be contacted through email and post. Here is his contact information, and information about his company as well as other material he produces:

Address: BUSHIDO-KAI BUDOYA, Div. W, 300 Eliot St., # 369,
Ashland, Mass. 01721 USA
Phone: Hombu Dojo: 508-879-7622
TOLL FREE (888) 881-4007
Fax: 508-881-4007
Email: bushido-kai@pobox.com
Website: http://www.bushido-kai.net/index.html

Thank you very much for the opportunity to review this material, sir! I feel like I am back in school all over again.

Mark Groenewold Kanazawa, Japan September, 2004