Practical Karate 1: Fundamentals of Self-defense

The authors of this fantastic series(practical karate) have passed away, but their influence will remain forever in the martial arts world. This is the first book in the practical karate series and it is essential reading for anyone who desires to master karate for self-defense. The one flaw in many self-defense books is that they often ignor the importance of learning the basics or fundamentals of blocking, punching, kicking and striking before moving on to the actual application in self-defense situations. In conclusion, this is a must book for anyone who desires to learn the fundamental principles of karate for self-defense. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate for Self-Defense: Combat Karate for the street, Combatives Vol. 1, 2., Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician).

Like other commentary, I value seeing the three Karate legends in graphic action -- Nakayama, Draeger and Nicol. One of Nakayama's and Draeger's main concerns was to really present methods that made good practical sense -- learnable and effective and matching the attack-situation using classical Shotokan Karate methods of self-defense. But, this first book in this series, and the whole series, intrigues me even more as time goes on. I went thru a long period questioning such classical Karate methods -- so was not understanding why several of my mentors liked Shotokan so much. In fact, most of my mentors had Shotokan in common, despite having other Arts as main ones -- like Kenpo Jiujitsu, Tibetan White Crane, Isshinryu Karate, Tae-Kwon-Do Kickoxing and Savate Combative -- for five different mentors. Also, I just could not understand why a "Deep" Art, such as Kosho Ryu Kempo, used classical Karate Kata, as well as advanced "Octogon" angling-checks and "Origami" folding-throws -- this Art being a main source of my first [Kenpo Jiujitsu] mentor. Later, I happened on an account about the making of the six-book "Practical Karate" series -- by co-author Donn Draeger. He stated that Nakayama could really do the Shotokan Karate movements as shown -- with terrifyingly accurate speed and power -- that left no question in anyone nearby that the techniques worked. Some of the stunt-folks apparently tried to get rough with Nakayama [several times] -- to curiously test him. Nakayama Sensei easily avoided their attacks and left them, in check, helpless -- yet, was holding-back in moderation. Now, I see that some quiet hints given to me by these mentors are correct -- one should understand that the half-step positions are important, as well as the full-step positions, of the on-going movements -- and to understand that the classical methods are concerned about keeping on-going balance in unknown terrain, to move so as to be on-guard all-around in nearby-space against possible armed-attackers, while out-moving them and knocking them down as quickly as possible. Shotokan Karate is based on three primary approaches -- Kata [classical move sets], Kihon [moves practiced from sets] and Kumite [drill-to-free sparring] -- and Bunkai [self-defense applications of Kata, Kihon and Kumite -- with primary-to-extended versions]. Kodokan Judo has a very similar practice-strategy. So, both of those classical martial arts were already semi-modern -- with drill-to-free-sparring, as well as classical movement practice. Modern Western [and mixed] kickboxing and grappling styles typically have a similar strategy -- individual move practice, "sweet-combo" move-sets practice and drill-to-free sparring. Classical Karate Kata -- even semi-classical Kenpo Karate ones -- may be valuable -- especially when interpeted in their primary meanings, as well as extended meanings. This classical Practical Karate book, and the other five in the Practical Karate series, can help to understan

Nakayama Sensei, former Chief Instructor of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) and internationally known martial arts expert, Donn Draeger prepared this series in the early 1960s (they've been out of print for a long time). The real value of each of the books is actually the photographs of Nakayama Sensei -- both authors are no longer with us. While the self-defense scenarios may be slightly out of date and simplistic to seasoned karateka (students of karate), they are invaluable to the rest of us. Unless your mind works like a street bully -- you never think about such situations and how to respond, or practicing to respond. I have the entire set for my library and recommend it for those just beginning in the traditional Japanese martial arts. I've actually been trying to spot C.W. Nicol, who acted as one of the "bad guys", the author of "Moving Zen" which is perhaps the best chronicle of a occidental training in Karate -- in Japan.