Shotokan Advanced Kata

I really enjoy this 3-volume series by Shotokan Master-Teacher Keinosuke _Enoeda_. This series was done in a larger format, making it easier to study. Each volume is 8 by 11.75 inches in dimension, and about 1/2 inch thick. As with all of the publications issues by Dragon Books, all three voulmes in this series are a quality affair with thick covers and glossy paper. The table of contents as well as each page preceeding a Kata lists the name of the form in romanji (English pronounciation)and in Kanji (Japanese Characters). The demonstration of the kata are easy to follow, the photographs are large and clear with precise descriptions, and there are exactly enough alternate views (presented in halftone) so as not to cause confusion. At the end of each kata there are bunkai (application) of selected techniques. Of particular note, in Vol. 2, Enoeda demonstrates 2 alternate versiona of the Tekki Kata (called Naihanchi in Okinawan schools). The following Kata are demonstrated in each volume: Volume 1 -Bassai Dai -Kanku Dai -Jion -Empi -Hangetsu Volume 2 -Bassai Sho -Kanku Sho -Jiin -Gankaku -Sochin Volume 3 -Tekki Nidan -Tekki Sandan (2 versions) -Nijushiho -Gojushiho Dai -Gojushiho Sho The expressions exhibited by Enoeda Sensei during the execution of the various techniques lend a particularly dynamic element to this series of books. The photos do not look stilted and posed, you can practically hear the snap of the gi and feel the wind from each strike. As this series has been out of print for the last several years (durn it!), it may take some effort to get a complete set together.

An excellent book for the advanced Black Belt. "The Tiger" himself shows the steps to 5 katas. Tekki-Nidan, Tekki-Sandan, Nijushiho, Gojushiho-Dai, Gojushiho-Sho. He even shows changes to Tekki-Sandan from the original kata. Defininately a book to keep for the ISKF student/teacher of Shotokan!