OleOle

I was reading a few posts on this gentleman's blog and with Mr Charles C. Goodin being the head of the Hawaiian Karate Museum, I naturally concluded that his observations would be very interesting and especially pertinent to a new karateka like me: http://karatejutsu.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/the-best-karate-book-i-have-read-in.html So far I haven't read that many books on karate and apart from reading more generalist titles from the public library (some of which have been very informative and helpful), the only one I personally own is a copy of "Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat" by Patrick McCarty: http://www.bookdepository.com/Bubishi-Patrick-McCarthy/9780804838283 Anyway, I decided to take Mr Goodin's advice and purchased his recommendation "The Study of China Hand Techniques" by Morinobu Itoman and also bought "Karate Kenpo: The Art of Self-defense By Kenwa Mabuni"; both and others available here: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/bechurinatgmaildotcom So it made me wonder what members of this forum thought were good books on karate and if you have any favourites? I'd be grateful for any thoughts and recommendations you might have please. Thanks very much.

Karate will not be "too tough" for you. It will just be 'tough enough'. You want it to be tough enough as that's what you'll need to get slowly into shape. I'm about two and half times your age, I've flown a desk for the last twenty years without any exercise and I will be losing 38 kilos (83 pounds) over the next six to twelve months with karate. In the last five weeks going to dojo twice a week and doing a bike run of about ten miles once or twice a week I've already lost six kilos (13 pounds). Drink as much water as you can, cut down a little on the size of meals you eat and don't eat anything after 9pm. I'm brand new to karate and what I can say is that if you like the idea of karate, then you will love karate, so sign up, put positive energy into it and you'll see a transformation in yourself in no time at all. You'll be so happy you did. Go for it!

Seems like it's on sale right now (ends Sunday) for anyone interested: http://www.jansport.com/shop/en/jansport-us/sale-sept-2014/klamath-60l-duffelpack-t17k Thirty percent off and free US shipping seems a good deal.

Not sure if this thread is still going but I'd like to comment that it might also be worth having the ability to order different colours for the the jacket and trousers. My dojo uses a white jacket and black trousers and so far, I haven't found many places that make it easy to order a uniform like this. Assuming you'll have both white and black gi available, providing flexibility might help some people. Thanks.

And then there is the other end of the spectrum, the completely unnecessary but thoroughly desirable Cavalier II No. 97 from Ghurka: http://www.ghurka.com/cavalier-ii-leather-duffel-bag-vintage-chestnut I've had my eye on this bag for a while and I've been trying to justify why I might buy it, I hadn't thought of using it as a gear or gi bag... hmm... that might be all the justification I need...? I can just picture it from days gone by, "Here's the bad news guys, weapons have been prohibited all over the kingdom... but don't worry, check this luxurious leather bag I have to carry my gear in!"

Thanks very much Sensei8, it's very good to be here. Hopefully at some point we'll hear some positive word on the OP's aim of joining a suitable dojo. These things take time sometimes. Take it easy and thanks again, your comments are sincerely appreciated.

Well, I'm brand new to the forum and brand new to karate, so what I have to say is certainly not the voice of experience speaking. In fact, I'm still awaiting delivery of my first gi so I'm not even a white belt yet, just an absolute beginner, open eyes, open heart, open mind. I've a great friend who for the last fifteen years has encouraged me to take up martial arts and for one reason or another it was never the time for me to find and join a dojo. I remember him saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear," and about three months ago something shifted in me and I decided that now was the time to take up martial arts. He's trained in a couple of disciplines I believe and has focused on Kufudokan Open Way Budo, which I think is a karate derivative based on Japanese martial traditions. For one reason or another I had always thought I would join the same school as my friend (although he has moved interstate with his sensei, the school still operates a dojo in my city) yet when I had made the decision to join that dojo, I realised that it was farther away from home than I thought and the times of the classes weren't going to work for me so I didn't really know what to do. The next two months after that, nothing really happened, I looked around online and checked a few places but I never really felt that any of the nearby dojos would work for me. Then about six weeks ago I got a flyer in my letterbox advertising a dojo only two streets away from where I live and after making contact by email and asking a number of questions, I was satisfied that not only was the dojo in close proximity, I was fortunate that the teachers had 30-40 years of martial arts experience and that they were more than happy to help an absolute beginner like me. Everything felt right, the people involved are warm-hearted and generous, it was an easy path for me to walk. I've only been a member for about a month, the dojo is new in my neighbourhood so I am the only new student at this stage and I cannot describe how honoured and fortunate I feel to be receiving one-on-one training from my kyoshi, sensei and a senior black belt student. I completed my eighth class tonight and I'm loving every minute of it. There's a long road ahead and I'm in no hurry whatsoever, I'm just happy to be where I am at the moment and it seems that what my friend said has indeed been true in my case - "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". I hope the OP finds what they are looking for and that the way opens up clearly and easily, very best of luck to you. Sincere greetings to all the members of the Karate Forums, it is excellent to be here and nice to meet you all.