Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan

[albeaver]

Has anyone read Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan, by Taira Shinken? If so would you recommend buying this? What other books on Okinawan Martial Arts would you recommend? If it makes a difference I study Isshin Ryu.

[Wastelander]

I've read bits and pieces of it, but I'm more of a karate guy than a kobudo guy, so it's not really my thing. We do have a very extensive list of recommended literature, including books on Okinawan arts, here: http://www.karateforums.com/martial-arts-research-library-vt8082.html

[albeaver]

Thanks a lot!

[fuad42]

hope its help me

[cathal]

I'd say its interesting to read. It was rushed to publication so some information wasn't completely fact-checked and some pieces of information are missing. The pictures are great but rarely show how he intended transitions or some movements to occur up to standard. You can read it and understand more about what it was like as an art form/MA back when the book was written. There have been many changes to many of those techniques since then as we've learned more about how our bodies move and operate, etc.