M
monkey-a-go-go
Guest
Just finished an entertaining read-Shotokan's Secret: Hidden truths behind karate's fighting origins, by Bruce D. Clayton published by black belt/ ohara. good quality. Shotokan is really not the main idea here. Its basically about the development of shuri-te and the influence of Bushi Matsumura and Yasutune Itosu. The author puts together a new hypothesis I haven't seen elsewhere. Gives info on culture, language, technique, biography, a bit of historical fiction, kata comparisions, application. Even Commodore Perry makes a special guest appearence. If your kenpo leans toward the okinawan influences and kata it will make you use your noodle. I think that traditional karate crowd has a bit too much starch in their p.j.'s to sit back and enjoy it. Some of the ideas fit in with the development of hawaiian kenpo. Lots o' fun.
