Shotokan's Secret

[shotokanbeginner]

Has anyone read Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origions[/b]. If so was it any good? Was it at all Factual? I was wondering because I plan on buying it.

[Menjo]

Never heard of it until now...However it seems to exagerate alot of very contraversial topics and even discrediting Master Funakoshi in some sense.

From looking at it, I defitnaly would not purchase it, but you never know for sure...

If your up to it,

I found this site after a few seconds of research:

http://www.karatekorner.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/productID/10704.htm

Just remember to really think about information that many non-affiliated books or ones that are not established in the MA community(not saying this one isn't) on karate nowadays give, some books are the want for money at the expensive of the martial art's reputation...

[Killer Miller]

The thing that looks suspecious in the preface is that he refers to Shotokan in the 1800s. It seem that nobody out there is arguing that Funakoshi's pen name was Shoto, thus Shotokan or Shoto's Building/Dojo. There were many martial arts prior to Shotokan, but not "Shotokan." I have to admit that the preface implies a pretty hefty put-down on Funakoshi.

Maybe there's a twist here, but I wouldn't buy it for historical facts. Maybe entertainment value though???

- Killer -

[kreza]

The book is pretty good. The author is a member of a group of black belts in San Franscisco, and appears to have done a great deal of research to back up his findings. Of course there is supposition, but you have to decide for yourself what to believe.

It's not a technical manual, more of someone's interpretation of how certain aspects of early karate may have been developed and in response to what factors.

It doesn't go into great detail about Funakoshi because it deals mainly with events that occurred within karate's history before his involvement. However, there are some detailed bunkai breakdowns, and some positive suggestions towards modernising karate which are quite thought provoking.

The book is called "Shotokan's Secret" but really goes into the most detail on the shuri-te fighting system developed at Shuri Castle by the men who were destined to pass on their knowledge to Funakoshi, primarily Azato and Itosu.

It's not total fiction, if you read GF's autobiography you'll see he talks about theses two teachers a lot, and he regarded them as a massive influence not only on his karate but also in the way that he conducted himself in general.

I agree the way the book is marketed makes it look dodgy, but someone bought it for me as a gift, and I read the book almost entirely in one sitting. It is highly entertaining and possibly enlightening depending on how much you perceive to be useful.

[shotokanbeginner]

Maybe there's a twist here, but I wouldn't buy it for historical facts. Maybe entertainment value though???

- Killer -

Yeah that is what I thought.

[shotokanbeginner]

The book is pretty good. The author is a member of a group of black belts in San Franscisco, and appears to have done a great deal of research to back up his findings. Of course there is supposition, but you have to decide for yourself what to believe.

It's not a technical manual, more of someone's interpretation of how certain aspects of early karate may have been developed and in response to what factors.

It doesn't go into great detail about Funakoshi because it deals mainly with events that occurred within karate's history before his involvement. However, there are some detailed bunkai breakdowns, and some positive suggestions towards modernising karate which are quite thought provoking.

The book is called "Shotokan's Secret" but really goes into the most detail on the shuri-te fighting system developed at Shuri Castle by the men who were destined to pass on their knowledge to Funakoshi, primarily Azato and Itosu.

It's not total fiction, if you read GF's autobiography you'll see he talks about theses two teachers a lot, and he regarded them as a massive influence not only on his karate but also in the way that he conducted himself in general.

I agree the way the book is marketed makes it look dodgy, but someone bought it for me as a gift, and I read the book almost entirely in one sitting. It is highly entertaining and possibly enlightening depending on how much you perceive to be useful.

I guess the only way I know for sure is to buy it myself. Thanks for the useful commment, it helps out a lot.

[ShotokanKid]

I really thought it was an interesting read and an interesting theory.

[TheDarxide]

It's a great book. Very, very, informative.

I don't think he tries to discredit Funakoshi, but explains why things may have happened a certain way, especially when you consider the politics of the time, and how the Japanese work as a culture (I found the bit about real truth and official truth fascinating).

[knarfster]

How can Funikoshi not know the Bunkai? Especially if he trained with Itosu directly and was an Okinawan himself?

[TheDarxide]

How can Funikoshi not know the Bunkai? Especially if he trained with Itosu directly and was an Okinawan himself?

Because Itosu didn't teach him the bunkai? Or he left out certain parts?

The theory is that by the time Funakoshi started training, there was no longer a need to protect the King. Since it is theorised that this is how shuri-te developed, there was no longer a need to pass on all of the knowledge.

Also, when Itosu began to teach youngsters, he deliberately left out the fatal and maiming moves and applications.