Five Years, One Kata - Softcover

Burgar, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0954446607 ISBN 13: 9780954446604

Publisher: Martial Arts Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

This remarkable book gives the reader a unique insight into an amazing five-year study of a single kata (Gojushiho). It shows the depth that is waiting to be discovered by the close study of kata, covering an incredible range of subjects including: * imagery * the psychology of confrontation * the common acts of physical violence * vital points and how to exploit them * the methodology for the break-down and understanding of kata * the applications of the kata * the principles of karate and how to apply them * the applications (in detail) for each of the movements of Gojushiho * the major variations of each application * objective measurements regarding their practicality * how to link the applications together The author also explains how to undertake your own study using a single kata of your choice, and how to build a training regime based on the kata. If you have ever wondered what kata is really all about then this book is for you. When karate was a secret art, practiced in the back yards of Okinawa by a few dedicated masters and their disciples, it was usual to train in a single kata for many years. A master of karate would know just one, two or possibly three kata. Through the deep study of those few kata the master karateka would possess a complete self-defence system, he would be well versed in the underlying principles of karate and he would have a memory aid which would map out his complete training regime. Over the last century the practice of a single kata has disappeared from karate practice. The deep understanding of a few kata has been replaced by the superficial understanding of many. This book shows you in great detail how to recover that understanding and how to put kata back at the heart of karate. What leaders in the field have to say about the book: "Without question this book adds to the body of knowledge in the study of karate" - Rick Clark

About this title

About the Author

Bill started training in a "traditional" Shotokan club in 1979 achieving first dan in 1983. He founded the Reading University Shotokan Karate Club where he taught for many years. Bill ran a karate magazine called Dojo Magazine for a number of years and has also had many articles published in other martial arts magazines, on the web and in web journals.

Bill has formed relationships with mentors considered leaders in the field. In 1995 he arranged Rick Clark's first tour of the UK and learned many aspects of kyusho and cross training first hand with Rick on each of his visits to the UK. As a result Bill has cross-trained and picked up knowledge from outside his core area of karate.

In 1996 Bill started on an experiment to focus exclusively on a single kata (Gojushiho) in a similar way to the old masters of Okinawa. Training alone Bill has explored the depths of the single kata and has written a book giving readers not only an insight into how single kata training can be of benefit but also showing the reader how to do this for themselves.

In June 2000 Rick Clark awarded Bill his 6th Dan. Bill continues to train in his personal dojo at his home with selected training partners.

About this edition

• Publisher: Martial Arts Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0954446607
• ISBN 13: 9780954446604
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336