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A very solid book review, Noah...I throughly enjoyed reading it! Mr. Lowry isn't a stranger to martial artists, no matter the style practiced; he lives the Way unlike any other MAist around today, imho!! I have this book, and imho, it speaks towards ones personal and professional betterment!! What inaccuracies did you find??

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. I received this book for free from Tuttle Publishing, who contacted Patrick with the offer. Thank you, both! There are martial art books, and then there are martial art books. Very few of them are written with the definitiveness, through and through, of Karate: The Art Of "Empty-Hand" Fighting" by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown. This well written book of books has stood the test of time for well over five decades. The true test of any martial arts book, in my honest opinion, is that whenever you stumble across it, purposefully or mistakenly, it'll be tattered, dog-eared, covered in notes and well-worn by the book's owner - but totally dust free! This book continues to captivate and mesmerize both the martial artist and non-martial artist alike with its earth shattering peek into two worlds: Shotokan and the martial arts. While these two worlds are separate entities, they find comfort in one another by sharing information willingly: both for unswerving critics and for untold scores of martial artists. Initial Discovery I first came across this jewel of a book back in 1965 when I was a wide-eyed and impressionable yellow belt. Albeit, I wasn't even a practitioner of Shotokan; I'm a Shindokan practitioner. Nor was I a student of Nishiyama Sensei, Brown Sensei and/or any other Shotokan sensei. I didn't even know what Shotokan was; nonetheless, I became quite intrigued. The craziest thing about how I came to receive this book back then was that my sensei, Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi, bestowed it upon me as a means of helping me to train at home. The core if both Shindokan and Shotokan is similar - however, that's where the similarity ends. The first penned scribbling done into my copy were those of my sensei as he noted reminders of differences that needed to be followed without any ambiguity. Shindokan stances, for example, are much more upright than those of Shotokan. I strongly believe that this book is a virtual fountain of knowledge - and not just for Shotokan practitioners. The authoritativeness of its authors can be surely be felt by readers, from page to page and chapter to chapter. The Authors So much has already been written about Hidetaka Nishiyama; volumes after volumes exist without any unqualified fanfare and/or exaggeration. I have no direct intimate knowledge about him; just undulated impressions about him that I've formed through everything I've read and/or heard about him from those who had the distinct pleasure of learning from him. This includes those who trained with him as his peers and those who handled him. I believe that I've come to know him through these mutual connections. I suppose I can only speak as a fan from afar concerning Nishiyama Sensei; highlighting the power points of his lustrous, unblemished career in the martial arts. More importantly, as a karateka whose dedication towards karate-do is unmistakably geared to increase his betterment daily. Permit me to offer you this, as it appears on the back cover of this book: To whet the appetite and curiosity, I present to you with some additional links to consider: Hidetaka Nishiyama's official websiteWikipedia: Hidetaka Nishiyama "Nishiyama: The Legacy of an 'Eternal Student' article by Shaun Banfield Video interview conducted by Walter Bera Combat Karate International FederationSadly, Nishiyama Sensei passed away, after a long battle with lung cancer, on November 7, 2008. I was not able to find much in my research about Nishiyama Sensei's co-author, Richard C. Brown, other than what was provided on the back cover of the book: On every search I attempted, I was connected to Nishiyama Sensei and this book they both had collaborated on. I even contacted the JKA in the hopes of being directed to where I might be able to find information about him; alas, I was denied any access or information. If anyone, after reading this book review, happens to have any information about Richard C. Brown, it would be greatly appreciated by those here at KarateForums.com. 1960 At the time of publishing of Karate: The Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting, Nishiyama Sensei carried a Godan (5th dan) rank in Shotokan. In 1961, Nishiyama Sensei moved to the U.S.A. and, shortly thereafter, he founded the All American Karate Federation (AAKF). This book is in its 80th printing; an unheard of milestone, especially with it being a martial arts book. 251 pages of pure dynamite rests between its covers, waiting to unleash the unbridled contents that await its readers. This book, in my humble opinion, is primarily a study of kihon (basics). It also taps into kata (formal exercise) - one kata can be found, Heian 4 - and kumite (sparring). It briefly touches karate's origins, training and equipment. Side note: Heian 4 is performed in this book by (none other than) Hirokazu Kanazawa Sensei, who is considered worldwide as one of the most technical masters of kata! The authors provide many fine examples of karate's self-defense applications through over 1,000 photographs. These photographic demonstrations highlight not only Nishiyama Sensei, but also two equally renowned instructors: Teriyuki Okazaki and Hirokazu Kanazawa. Both of whom offered their assistance in the making of this epic book. Side note, more for grins and giggles: you can see a photograph depicting kumite on page 118. The karatekas are Nishiyama Sensei, on the left, executing a side kick/block, directed towards Kanazawa Sensei, and Kanazawa Sensei, on the right, executing a roundhouse kick towards Nishiyama Sensei. In other words, simultaneous attacks/counter-attacks. This very photograph was used in the manufacturing of a very famous patch, which has been around well over 40 years. It was around when I was a child and can still be purchased today. 22 Chapters The 22 chapters found within this book are divided into 3 separate parts: introduction, basic techniques and their practice and karate as self-defense. The bulk of the material can be found in Part 2. Here is the full chapter listing: What is karate?A short history Essential principles Organization of karate techniques Training methods Calisthenics Striking points and vital points Stance Posture Body shifting Hand techniques Foot techniques Techniques in combination Formal exercise Sparring Throwing Techniques Defense against holding Defense from floor-sitting position Defense from chair-sitting position Defense against knife attack Defense against attack by club Defense against pistol threatAnd to put a cherry on top of the pie, the book adds an appendix that discusses karate equipment, including 3 pages on the makiwara and 1 page each on the following: the hanging heavy bag, punching ball, body stretcher, dumbbells, iron geta (clogs), heavy club, pulley, and mirror. Final word Can one learn karate from this book? Yes! Why not? However, I'm not a proponent of learning any martial art entirely from any written book without the guidance of a qualified instructor to provide effective, qualified feedback. That said, the authors have provided for this scenario: What this phenomenal book has, that many martial arts books don't have, is constant reminders to "avoid these mistakes." This is one of the many reasons that so many martial artists have found value in this work. Throughout the entire book, they consistently highlight shortcomings to avoid, essentially bringing a qualified instructor right into your home. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any serious martial artist and to those who are just curious about karate. Its price is quite nominal, making it more than an affordable addition to your library, but also as a means of measuring ones betterment. To know your enemy is to study your enemy. Thusly, to know the martial arts is to study all forms of the martial arts - either partially or completely. This exciting book meets that requirement without any ambiguity. I believe that this is the bible of Shotokan and, if it's not, then it should be, in my opinion! Often, books of this type find themselves being improved upon for one reason or another. This book remains unchanged since 1960; to me, this proves its worthiness in its parts as well as in its whole. Add this book to your collection or library and see for yourself; I assure you, you will not be disappointed! Buy the book: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk (KarateForums.com receives a small commission on any sales generated through these links).

Yes, I've been paying attention to Murray, his listed on the injury report as DNP...so, day by day!! This is the time that the Cowboys start to fall apart, and they miss the playoffs... Hopefully history will take a vacation this year! I never vote the Chiefs out until the fat lady sings...she's not even warming up yet!! GO COWBOYS!!

There are far to many avenues to transition into....and going backward, by choice, isn't one of them, for obvious reasons.

Academic requirements for any grade is important to all practitioners of any style, imho!! Technical knowledge is only a portion within the context of any syllabus; a sliver of the pie, and nothing can satisfy more than having the whole pie. In Shindokan, all levels are required are required to know Shindokan's history. Of course, the lower the level, the smallest details are required, and in that, the younger the student, the same goes for the history details. As rank/level increases, so does the exacting details of Shindokan history. The length of the essay depends on rank, and our Academic Team decides the length as well as the topic/theme, especially when Senior rank is concerned. Ranks from Godan to Hachidan, require explicit knowledge that goes beyond our Densho Scrolls; intimate knowledge!! The higher the Senior rank, the more the academic solvency is expected. Speaking of academic requirements, Shindokan students under 18 years of age are required to carry a 'C' grade in school, hence, no passing grade...then no testing cycle!! Great topic, btw!!

If I've not said this before, let me say it now!! I've only a 6th Gup in TKD under GM Young Ik Suh, and this topic/thread is dynamite through and through! Gives many TKD practitioners a lot to think about from each form you cover!

Solid post!! May the textbook continued to be amended through our discoveries!!

Great posts...all! A literal treasure of ideas to help you in what you're looking for!! Good luck in your search!! I reserve to add anything to this discussion for the moment because I am waiting for your follow up post to some questions that have been asked of you?? Great topic, btw!!

I agree with your point!! Well said!!

Great points!! Hopefully, JKD practitioners will give his points, and the mat work, some serious thoughts!!

Glad to see you MP!!

I agree...solid post!!

Solid post, and I, too wholeheartedly concur with your list, and then some!! The longer a student has been on the floor, the less tolerable I am with that student/practitioner with anything and everything that happens on the floor!! Expectations; all MAists should be held accountable!! I've shakened my head in disapproval and disbelief more than I care to remember; some of this is within the Shindokan circle, and some of it from outside of same said circle!! People make mistakes, but when they don't make an effort across the board to improve and take responsibility of thier MA expectations, especially their own MA betterment, I'm even less tolerable!! Imho!!

Do you have any, cheesefrysamurai??

I've kanji of: Shindokan done in red Hachidan in black Hanshi in black All on my upper left center shoulder. Shindokan is large and center...and on the right of Shindokan is Hachidan and on the left of Shindokan is Hanshi; they both are smaller than Shindokan.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. Today should be no different than yesterday, nor should it be the same today, and tomorrow shouldn't be any different than the past. What I'm referring to has very little to do with whatever happens on the training floor or does it. What I'm referring to is the brass ring of the martial arts: integrity! Some clutch onto that brass ring much more easily than others. A martial artist's journey is suppose to be as pure as the driven snow; unadulterated in any way, shape and/or form. I wonder, however, just how often a practitioner of the martial arts trades their integrity for the tangible rewards that are being expected and/or demanded in the future? More so than we'd like to admit. But that's alright, because the layperson knows quite well what a martial artist is capable of. However, the layperson isn't speaking towards the practitioners honed abilities of the martial arts. Rather, they're more concerned with the infallible things that a martial artist does without any concern towards their own integrity on and off the floor. Is ego a good thing, or is ego a bad thing? I suppose that depends on the individual to ascertain on a more personal level. I honestly believe that ego tends to get in the way of any potential progress. One's ego must be channeled toward the things that are good and not toward the things that are bad. Ego needs a leash! I sincerely believe, within myself, that I'm complete in my totality as a martial artist. Is that, what I feel, good or bad? From The Reasoner: 5 reasons the ego is a bad thing versus 1 reason the ego is a good thing. Seems to be that the tables have turned; tilted so much that one might have to fight their entire life in the battle against themselves on a daily basis in order to stave off one's own ego. That seems quite tiring and without an end to the means. Let's briefly examine what I believe are steadfastly seen as models of ego in many martial artists and in many martial art schools, in such a way that their pretentiousness interferes with their capability of greatness. Not to the greatness that is their martial arts abilities, but to their greatness as individuals. Are these my opinions or is it my ego speaking? I believe it is my opinion, but hopefully not an opinion that's fueled by an ill-tempered ego. How helpful is an ego? How destructive is an ego? How beneficial is an ego? How demanding is an ego? The battle is raging. In the midst of the torrid storms, the egotistical have made their stand against the moral side of the martial arts. The Id, Ego and Superego Before we go any further, I must refer to Simply Psychology's article on id, ego and superego. Please give it a read and then come back. Those aren't my words - they are the words of experts in the field of psychology. You can decide how valid they are. Negative egos are running rampant through the martial arts, even more so nowadays than yesteryear. For some reason, I don't think that things in this regard will ever get any better. However, I do pray that, in time, things will change for the best. This is what I perceive has been happening throughout the martial arts, and it's not a newly found infection, unfortunately. Rank Rank! Rank! Rank! What else can one possibly say about rank that hasn't already been said on either side of the subject?! Not much, I suppose. Rank has been treated with anything but exaltation by the masses. If nothing else, rank has been held in contempt. And for good reasons! Rank isn't what it used to be. It might never mean what it once did. One example: double grades. They do happen, but should be exceptionally rare. A lack of satisfaction with your current rank invites self-promotion, one way or another. What's wrong with the 7th dan or the 8th dan that your Sensei awarded you? Or, for that matter, the 3rd or the 5th dan, awarded before his or her untimely death? Nothing! Vanity can cause one to discard integrity - therefore adopting ego to cure their feelings of inadequacies. They want to have that 10th dan wrapped around their ego so desperately that they're willing to create something impure. Their martial art resume isn't impressive enough, so they manufacture one platitude after another as to pad their resume with impressive sounding accomplishments. Mom's grocery list pales in comparison to the ego-driven martial artist's resumes. They thrive on self-aggrandizement. It grows like a weed that's choking your integrity until you can no longer discern a martial arts journey built on integrity from one that has become a long, twisting road. Students are there to learn. Not to wallow in the self-serving attainment of rank. With rank, it seems that some martial artists are never satisfied. It reminds me of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a children's book, authored by Laura Numeroff. According to Wikipedia, the author hits the nail right on the head with a whimsical truth that speaks right to the martial artist - not all, but some, who never seem to be satisfied one way or another. Testing Cycle The evil twin of ranking: testing cycles! I just want to think out loud and wonder for a moment briefly: just when did the student become the chief instructor (CI)? When did the student decide when one is to attend the very next testing cycle? When did the student assume that position? When?! Students seek training in the martial arts style of their choice. In their search, they must find the most capable and effective instructor to impart unquenchable knowledge upon them. Students learn, drill and practice an untold amount of hours in the quest of hoping to become the most effective martial artist that they can be. Students lend their unconditional trust to their instructors with the task of teaching them every nuance of every technique; the instructor is the guardian of the students' martial arts time capsule with an unbridled consciousness. But, more often than not, that ends in the processes of any testing cycle. In Shindokan, all students must be invited by their CI to attend testing cycles, which are held four times every year. Then, the CI submits the student's request to the Hombu for final approval. Only then are students allowed to attend any testing cycle. If a student is denied attendance in an upcoming testing cycle, for whatever the reason(s) might or might not be, either the student, if an adult, or the student's parents, become quite vocal in their disapproval. An ego laced tantrum is directed to the CI, and demands are leveled as well. Just because a student is invited to participate in a testing cycle, that does not mean that they will be promoted. If they are failed by a CI, a similar level of disappointment is often voiced by the student or their parents. Where, just seconds beforehand, the student was praising their once adored and trusted CI, they now the bane of their existence. Who is more qualified to pass final judgment during a testing cycle than the CI? Surely, not the student! Nonetheless, the student or their parent(s)/guardian(s) sometimes take it upon themselves to question the abilities of the CI. This is done with the vain of impunity. Your Ego Can Write Checks That It Can't Cash Your style is inferior! Your martial arts skills are inferior! Your lineage is inferior! You're a fake! Your sensei is a fake! And so on and so forth! It's easier to attack your fellow martial artists than it is to teach them or for them to teach you effectively applied knowledge that might end up being the meal that saves them in the long run. We are the keepers of the style, but we don't own the style. And what we know, we should share willingly with our fellow martial artists without any ambiguity and/or selfishness. Why aren't martial artists much more forthcoming with others on the same path? I just don't know - or understand! Where is the brotherhood and sisterhood of the martial arts? Where one uplifts their fellow martial artist, no matter rank and no matter the style. No matter the differences, we are a band of martial artists. We're supposed to be tightly woven, unshakable, unmoving and undeniable in our quest as martial artists thriving to reach the unreachable goals; one and all. But, at times, it appears that we'd rather stifle one another than encourage. Why? It is better to tear down things that we don't understand, nor approve of, than to take the effort to learn and accept that which is different. Ego can be the bane of the martial arts! Ego is the stain of the martial arts! Ego is without thought, care and wisdom! Ego cripples the soul! Ego binds the individual; chains that aren't easily broken. Ego refuses to play nice! Ego refuses to share the floor, including teaching responsibilities. Merriam-Webster defines ego in this manner: Ego, if it's respected and held in check, has the propensity to do great things. Merriam-Webster goes on to use ego in this sentence: "I have enough ego not to want to give up easily in any contest or competition." Conclusion Aloofness, audacity, ostentation, conceit, conceitedness, insolence, contemptuousness, haughtiness, nerve, vanity, pride and disdain... however one labels it, ego smiles at its synonyms just as a mother knowingly smiles at her offspring. Capitulate the good ego and discard the bad ego, if the martial arts and the martial artists are to be respected at all. Can we martial artists turn the tides on our own egos? Time will tell, but until then, we have to manage our own egos first before we can worry about temperance of others. This might be true of myself because just how else could we senior dans, in and out of the Shindokan circle, receive all that we've accomplished, the honest way, unless we possess some good, measured ego ourselves?

truthfully i have no idea. I'll have to ask someone next time i'm in the dojang. Ok! I'd be curious to their answer(s).

Solid post!!

I wish everyone at KF and their loved ones a very merry Christmas!!

"It's not about how fast your hands and feet are, but it's how fast your mind is..." That's what I meant to say!! I accidentally typed "your" instead of "how" Sorry!

An excellent book review; I was riveted to it from start to finish...quite an excellent piece of work!! You gave me a look into Mr. Cooke's mindset on this subject!! After all, it's not always about what to do during a fight, but more what one can do to defuse a possible volatile situation! From your book review, the scene that took place on Han's Junk in the Bruce Lee classic film, Enter The Dragon, brings the conceptual idea to the forefront of my mind. This is the very concept that I teach to my students, and that is.... It's not about how fast your hands and feet are, but it's about your fast your mind is so that you've the tools available to defuse the situations in a calm manner. Mind like the moon and mind like the water are some of the tools that we train in daily as karateka's, Your review, each and every paragraph, made me want the book more and more. I will be adding this book to my library!! Thank you!!

Please complete the following sentence: This is the year... MA concerning, that is!! What mostly stands out in your mind? If it's only one thing or more, please let us know so that we can celebrate or laugh or cry or throw-a-fit or agree/disagree with you!! This is the year that... *I finally hung up my Kudan certificate! *I finally wore my Kudan obi more on an everyday occurrence! [These two hadn't happened until October 2014. I earned them both in July 2013] *I came much closer to completing my MA memoirs; Empty Chairs! These are just some of the things that stand out for me!! I look forward in hearing what happened to/for you this year!!

Yes...it is all about tenure and the like because that has already been established by the governing body, therefore, it must be strictly adhered to no matter if one agrees with it or not!! I was part of the servitude of being a JBB for 5 long years; I hated it!! Nonetheless, I still succumb to its ideology, both as an CI and Kaicho of the SKKA, and that's because our By-Laws have been established by our Soke along time ago, and they've not been successively challenged as of yet! While I am still seeking to abolish the JBB, I'm bound to enforce our By-Laws because it's the obligation that I swore to uphold!

I'm extremely well versed in Tuite and the like, so, are you two, Alex and/or cheesefrysamurai indicating that I'd have no chance in MMA type competitions or in the streets??

Dan Gable would be a good addition! Yes, their times were before UFC, but I think weight divisions would've been like UFC was when the UFC first started...there was no weight divisions to worry about. Steve "Nasty" Anderson or John Natividad or Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, to name just a few from those circa's who would've done well, imho!!