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S**.
True or not?
Whether Dr. Clayton's assertion about the origins of Shotokan are accurate or not, they are extremely well thought out. I have trained with master Kanazawa master Okasaki and their sempai Osuma. None of them mentioned anything like what Clayton explains.This book delves especially into the creation of the Hein katas. It tell you exactly what the hell you are supposed to be doing, and as a Karateka for over 30 years, this was the best explanation I've ever come across.Spoiler alert! This book is a great read, I'm about to reveal one of the biggest surprises so stop now if you'd rather read it in the book..Clayton theorizes that it was Admiral Perry's visit to Okinawa that lead to the development of Shotokan and the Hein Kata. Look at the picture on the cover. That is the emperor and the two men to each side are his body guards. The two men who will go on to teach a young boy martial arts. That young boy was Gichin Funokoshi. He explains in great detail how he comes to this conclusion. Of course, the same country that inspired Shotokan would later obliterate all traces of it's beginnings in the second world war, so much of this is guess work. But such masterful guesswork I have never seen.If you love karate get this book. Get your students to get this book. You will actually enjoy doing the Hein Katas again.Here are a few quick bits. What is the first move in Hein Nidan? Never satisfied with the pat answers? Neither was I. Imagine this. You are the unarmed bodyguard of the Okinawan King. Standing by are young brash Samurai. Their skill is the single stroke of their ancient blades. so powerful it would cut through a pelvis. The first move is dodging that one down stroke and knocking the flat part of the blade aside. Easy? Are you nuts? But you are unarmed against an expert with a Katana!Hein Sandan. What a bizarre kata. So much so an early instructor of mine refused to teach it. Clayton's interpretation is a policeman going into a saloon to arrest a bad guy, the bizarre movements with hands on hips are you carrying him as you fight your way out of the saloon. I cannot give Clayton's descriptions justice here, so please if you love karate, GET THIS BOOK.Is he correct? Even he states their is probably no way to know. Do any of the Japanese know? Have you ever questioned a master? Evasive is an understatement. I suspect however that they do not know. Karate, like all traditional Japanese arts is taught through repetitive copying. Asking question of your instruction was unthinkable. But great job Dr. Clayton, give us another!
S**A
Provocative
If you've read and enjoyed the original Shotokan's Secret, you'll find this expanded edition to be even better. If you are a martial artist and are interested not only in the history of Karate but the pragmatic applications that are possible from such study, this book is an absolute must. In this new second half of the book, Dr. Clayton takes the Heian katas he introduced in the original version and opens the door to understanding and creative discovery. Of course, his "bunkai" or applications are of his own making, but he has made them succeed by preparing his reader through historical research, analysis and treatise. He first helps us understand what the masters lives were like, why they developed the katas in the first place, and why his bunkai would have made sense for them. I find his analysis totally credible and thought provoking. He doesn't take away our own analysis or understanding (as we do not have all the facts about the origins and need to make many decisions without complete truths) but compliments them and persuades us to think things out logically. Do not simply listen to your sensei and take his word for it. He/she may know even less than you do about how the masters created Karate. The book also debunks some of the myths surrounding the masters and justifies our own creative liberties regarding kata. In essence, what works for me might not work for you, therefore, you need to explore your own possibilities. Chapter 6, for me, is a must read for all sensei or serious practitioners. That chapter turns on the light in a dark tunnel, and gives us the tools from which to draw credible conclusions, not just of martial arts, but of life. That chapter works because of all the research and assimilation/extraction Clayton did previous to it, and then the demonstration of how he thinks, whether or not people agree with his particular bunkai, isn't the point. It's how he got there. That alone is worth the cost of the book.
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