Best Karate, Vol.6: Bassai, Kanku

Nakayama Sensei's series of books have been a great addition to my twenty years of training in Shotokan. There are so many kata's in Shotokan it's easy to forget a single step that will stop you cold. This series of books explains each kata in numbered steps, each step broken down by a series of pictures showing how they should be performed including where the kiai's are. At the end of the step by step instructions are a series of pictures showing the application of the kata moves. Nakayama founded the Japan Karate Association along with Gichin Funakoshi and was the head of JKA until his death in 1987. It is extremely important to note that you cannot learn karate from a book. There are so many aspects to correct karate training you can easily develop bad habits. A qualified instructor can help you overcome those mistakes. But you will find the best instructors have a set of these books as well.

NOTE: This review, along with the other reviews of the books devoted to katas in this series, are identical in nature as the subject matter for each book only differs in the actual kata or katas being demonstrated. The layout and format are identical and that is what these reviews are based upon. This book, along with the rest of the books in the series, is an outstanding source of information on the correct execution of the Shotokan Karate katas in which this particular volume demonstrates. Now if you don't know anything about karate and purchase this book, it will do you about as much good as a screen door in a submarine. However, if you are already a practicing Shotokan Karate student, then this book is a must have for your continued advancement in the martial arts. Every book in this series that deal with the various katas, utilizes the same format throughout each book in order to show you the correct execution of each kata demonstrated. Admittedly there aren't a whole lot of words describing the various moves in the katas, but there are an abundance of photographs taken from various angles that pretty much show you exactly how your body should be positioned not only for each individual move, but also how your body should be positioned as you move from one position to another. At the end of each book is a special section devoted to particular points of interest in each kata that you should pay particular attention to. A nice addition to this already wonderful book. If you are a student of Shotokan Karate, or a student of another style that utilizes the same katas, I would highly recommend that you purchase these books in order to advance your knowledge of whatever particular kata or katas that you are currently working on. You won't be disappointed! Shawn Kovacich Martial artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

This kata is very demanding. This book lays out the kata very thoroughly (much more so than in Best Karate, Vol.5). It also gives you a front and side view which are essential to practicing at home.

Best Karate Series books are excellent and this one is no exception. The transistion from technique to technique is excellent. Most other books just show the end result of each "move", Best Karate shows YOU how to get there. I also liked the Bunkai (application) section for each kata.

Through the use of pictures, american and japanese language, Nakayama is able to explain the kata's required after the Heian kata's in Shotokan Karate-do