Hi All,

Just signed up to the forum. Been learning Shotokan since last year, going for my yellow belt soon.

Since I began I bought two books as I learn well outside of the dojo reading and watching YouTube videos and so on. The two books I purchased as reference were :

Shotokan Karate Bible

Shotakan Handbook

Now both books have been interesting and informative however I find that they do not include all movements. I appreciate that some clubs may approach things differently but as an example, I'm currently learning two particular kicks and have been trying to pin them down.

So my question is two fold. Can someone please name these two kicks please (or combinations)

a) From Jiyu Dachi left leg forward. Step forward front Kick Chudan (Mae Geri) and same leg immediate kick Jodan.

b) From same stance, step forward Mae Geri Chudan then step forward again Mae Geri Jodan (two different legs)

I think b) might be Mae Ren Geri though looking online suggests a) would be this. Not sure if different clubs use the term differently?

Next question would really be to see if theres a book that might include these as the ones above do not.

Thanks for any input given.

First of all, Welcome to KF!!

You've purchased some very nice books! If you can find a reasonable priced copy of Hidetaka Nishiyama's "Karate, The Empty Hand Art"; it's, imho, one of the greatest Shotokan gems that's a must for ones bookshelf.

Clubs might, and I want to emphasize might, use different terminologies. Depends on which governing body ones affiliated with.

The combos that you're referring to are part of the Jiyu Ippon Sets.

a) From Jiyu Dachi left leg forward. Step forward front Kick Chudan (Mae Geri) and same leg immediate kick Jodan.

Jiyu Dachi is Ready Stance. Chudan is Middle/Center. Jodan is High/Upper. Mae Geri is Front Kick. Therefore, from a Ready Stance, step forward and and Front Kick to the Middle/Center and with same leg, immediately Front Kick High/Upper, return to Ready Stance.

b) From same stance, step forward Mae Geri Chudan then step forward again Mae Geri Jodan (two different legs)

From Ready Stance, Front Kick to the Middle/Center then step forward again Front Kick Hight/Upper (Two different legs).

I think b) might be Mae Ren Geri though looking online suggests a) would be this.

Mae Ren Geri is Double Front Kick. So that would fit either way, but not always the same because not all dojo's share the same terminologies.

Hidari Jui Dachi, Migi Chudan Mae Geri, Jodan Mae Geri.

Hidari Jui Dachi, Migi Chudan Mae Geri, Hidari Chudan Mae Geri.

or;

Left Free Fighting Stance, Right Middle Front Kick, High Front Kick.

Left Free Fighting Stance, Right Middle Front Lick, Left Middle Front Kick.

There are quite a few different variations of movements and kata's within Shotokan karate; imo there are two main tracks, the one that follows Sensei Enoeda and the other one that follows Sensei Kanazawa way of teaching (if you watch them sensei Kanazawa is more "fluid", not sure not else to describe it).

The second book that you listed, The Shotokan Karate Handbook: Beginner to Black Belt by Sensei Sahota is a great book (I've got the second one too, The Advanced Shotokan Karate Handbook). He is the first instructor that I properly trained under and learnt a lot from. Sensei Sahota, follows the Kanazawa track. Other Shotokan books that I've read and/or own include:

Karate Fighting Techniques: The Complete Kumite

Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution

Karate Kata Applications

Now I mention this as you will come across a whole variety of different instructors, books and video's, all showing the same but slightly different things. And this in turn can be a bit confusing (especially if you've got a year or 2 under your belt).

If you're going to look for instructional books, I would say have a word with the association that you train with and see what they recommend to assist you with your training.

Thanks for the replies. Understood, so really the use of Ren-Geri for example, may be somewhat flexible depending on the Dojo interpretation.

Yes, some associations are more specific, eg Mae Ren Geri Jodan Chudan (which would be a combination front kick head level then mid level).