Wado Books or General Karate

[Titanium]

Can anyone recommend any good Wado or general karate books?

I have just bought Wado-Ryu Karate Uncovered but in search of my next; any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Spodo Komodo]

The two books by Shingo Ohgami are excellent, Introduction to Karate covers basic techniques, the Ohyogumite and Kihon Kumite while Karate Katas of Wado Ryu gives step by step kata from the Pinans as far as Chinto. They are a bit old now though so you may find them hard to get hold of.

Together with Frank Johnson's book covering the kata and kihon kumite (which seems to be the one you already have) they are the only books on Wado I have read. I have yet to buy Otsuka's tome (although I hope to soon) and I don't know anyone who has read Danubio's book which may or may not be worth a look (although it is very pricey). Apart from that very little has been written about Wado Ryu.

Avoid Mark Cody's book, I had a look through it and while it is ok in parts most of it seems to be Cody's own interpretation of karate, not necessarily Wado.

[Titanium]

The two books by Shingo Ohgami are excellent, Introduction to Karate covers basic techniques, the Ohyogumite and Kihon Kumite while Karate Katas of Wado Ryu gives step by step kata from the Pinans as far as Chinto. They are a bit old now though so you may find them hard to get hold of.

Together with Frank Johnson's book covering the kata and kihon kumite (which seems to be the one you already have) they are the only books on Wado I have read. I have yet to buy Otsuka's tome (although I hope to soon) and I don't know anyone who has read Danubio's book which may or may not be worth a look (although it is very pricey). Apart from that very little has been written about Wado Ryu.

Avoid Mark Cody's book, I had a look through it and while it is ok in parts most of it seems to be Cody's own interpretation of karate, not necessarily Wado.

Thank you for your reply. I'll look into it, I have found a website called monabooks.co.uk which you may find interesting. They do all Martial Arts books.

I will avoid Mark Cody's for sure, I prefer the proper sources.

[Titanium]

Shotokan have lots of books, but I think it is because Wado is younger.

[JackD]

Yes the two books by Shingo Ohgami are fantastic, I started karate 6 years ago and my instructor recommended them and they have been my bible on my journey. I also got a lot from Chris Thompsons book "Wado-Ryu Karate".

The great thing with old books is that you can pick them up for next to nothing on ebay if you keep you eyes open.

Franks Johnsons book is a little different as it's more of an autobiography, I really enjoyed it though. I've just read a really great old book in the same vein "Moving Zen" by CW Nicol (shotokan).

[sensei8]

Yes the two books by Shingo Ohgami are fantastic, I started karate 6 years ago and my instructor recommended them and they have been my bible on my journey. I also got a lot from Chris Thompsons book "Wado-Ryu Karate".

The great thing with old books is that you can pick them up for next to nothing on ebay if you keep you eyes open.

Franks Johnsons book is a little different as it's more of an autobiography, I really enjoyed it though. I've just read a really great old book in the same vein "Moving Zen" by CW Nicol (shotokan).

Solid post!! Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

[Titanium]

Yes the two books by Shingo Ohgami are fantastic, I started karate 6 years ago and my instructor recommended them and they have been my bible on my journey. I also got a lot from Chris Thompsons book "Wado-Ryu Karate".

The great thing with old books is that you can pick them up for next to nothing on ebay if you keep you eyes open.

Franks Johnsons book is a little different as it's more of an autobiography, I really enjoyed it though. I've just read a really great old book in the same vein "Moving Zen" by CW Nicol (shotokan).

Thank you for your reply.

Frank Johnson is a former student of my sensei.

I will look into those.

[Kusotare]

As well as those of Ohgami sensei, I would thoroughly recommend Roberto Danubio's book.

In addition, you could try to get hold of AJ van Dijks book, which is incredibly detailed.

I have trained with all 3 gents and they really know their stuff.

Let us know what you decide in the end.

K.

[Spodo Komodo]

Someone else has mentioned A.J.Van Dijk recently, I have to admit that I hadn't heard of him but he seems to have come to prominence during my hiatus from Karate. I shall check his books out, thanks for the recommendation.

[Titanium]

Thank you, I will check those out.