Learn Karate from a book?

[isshinryuronin]

Being a beginner is a confusing time.

Interesting. I felt that it was the least confusing time - didn't know enough to be confused - you just did what you were told.

 

[Gyakuto103]

I think he means it’s confusing now because of the plethora of sources of information, whereas I was suggesting that one book and occasional visits from a real master made things much simpler!

- you just did what you were told.

I have a friend the was in the SAS. I asked if it was difficult to get into and his typically laconic reply was, “Not really; you just do exactly what you’re told to by your instructors”!

 

[Dragonfly35]

I think he means it’s confusing now because of the plethora of sources of information, whereas I was suggesting that one book and occasional visits from a real master made things much simpler!

I have a friend the was in the SAS. I asked if it was difficult to get into and his typically laconic reply was, “Not really; you just do exactly what you’re told to by your instructors”!

Exactly this. Gyakuto is 100% correct. Life was far simpler before. My instructor has suggested a few books and resources. Reading Wim Demeer's blog was his idea. My instructor practices and teaches Shotokan Karate and FMA. A deadly blend he says. The classes focus on lots of basics and aim for high levels of strength and fitness. They have been very enjoyable so far.

 

[Gyakuto103]

Which books did your teacher recommend? I know you mentioned it somewhere.

 

[Dragonfly35]

Which books did your teacher recommend? I know you mentioned it somewhere.

Dynamic Karate by Masatoshi Nakayama was the first one. The other is Fist of Destiny: Memoirs of a Martial Artist by Karl Lancaster. The first one is a technique guide. The second one talks about martial arts in a way my instructor remembers learning at the beginning of his journey.

 

[Gyakuto103]

Dynamic Karate by Masatoshi Nakayama was the first one.

Ah yes…I’m familiar with that one…

The other is Fist of Destiny: Memoirs of a Martial Artist by Karl Lancaster. The first one is a technique guide. The second one talks about martial arts in a way my instructor remembers learning at the beginning of his journey.

That sounds interesting. I’ll check it out.

Have you read ‘Karate-Do- My Way of Life’ by Funakoshi Gichin? It’s very sweet and a good read.

 

[Dragonfly35]

Ah yes…I’m familiar with that one…

That sounds interesting. I’ll check it out.

Have you read ‘Karate-Do- My Way of Life’ by Funakoshi Gichin? It’s very sweet and a good read.

Karate-Do My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi has been added to my shopping list. Eskrima: Filipino Martial Art by Kirshna Godhania is another book my teacher recommended. My martial arts library is growing along with my flexibility and fitness.

 

[Gyakuto103]

These are really excellent too…really interesting and look at things from different perspectives.

 

[Prince_Alarming102]

I'm finding the John Tichen pinan flow series to be excellent reading. A great accompaniment to kata practice, if you're interested in the more trad side of things

 

[Dragonfly35]

Ah yes…I’m familiar with that one…

That sounds interesting. I’ll check it out.

Have you read ‘Karate-Do- My Way of Life’ by Funakoshi Gichin? It’s very sweet and a good read.

The Martial arts memoir was more about aikido and kung fu. It was okay but not what I expected. There is another one called, The Inner Art of Karate by Kenjo Tokitsu - this book is a much better read.

 

[Gyakuto103]

This is an excellent, fun read

…and this..

They’re both entertainingly tongue in cheek.

 

[Prince_Alarming102]

Yup, angry white pyjamas is a must read

 

[Dragonfly35]

Yup, angry white pyjamas is a must read

Added this to my list. Cannot wait to read. Any other books to recommend?

 

[Prince_Alarming102]

Added this to my list. Cannot wait to read. Any other books to recommend?

The art of expressing the human body by Bruce Lee

 

[Gyakuto103]

I actually did learn some Karate from a book when I was a 12 year old beginner in 1981. I was so keen that I decided to learn Kushanku from this book.

It’s the longest kata in the Wado Ryu canon and it was a very confusing few days trying to figure out what a ‘270 degree turn clockwise’ actually was. I’d use my parents tiny bedroom as my dojo and I’d have to step back rather than forward sometimes as it was so small! I had to use a protractor to work out my angles and I even picked up some of the affectations and idiosyncrasies of Suzuki Tatsuo sensei thinking that’s how they were done! Hours standing in front the mirror to make sure my arms were squared up correctly, my face looked serious and my hair was in place! A magical time…

 

[Buka19]

There was a Karate competitor in the sixties, Louis Delgado, who fought and beat many of the greats from back then.

He supposedly learned everything he knew from books.

One of my instructors back in the eighties had him do a seminar at his school. I went. And walked out after twenty minutes. He was the biggest A-hole I had ever met. My instructor actually got a kick out of it.

 

[isshinryuronin]

there was a Karate competitor in the sixties, Louis Delgado, who fought and beat many of the greats from back then.

That's a name I haven't heard in 50 years. Don't remember if I ever saw him fight but remember his reputation.

He supposedly learned everything he knew from books.

I studied a lot of sex books as a kid - didn't help at all. A partner probably would have helped.

 

[Gyakuto103]

The closest I got to ‘sex books’ as a 12 year old was reading the definition of the word ‘f*ck’ in the dictionary

 

[Gyakuto103]

I found this educational book a while ago which teaches Japanese speakers how to use the word ‘f*ck’ correctly.

 

[Gyakuto103]

It comes with handy examples too…