Okinawan Martial Traditions, Vol 1: Te, Tode, Karate, Karatedo, Kobudo Book

What would you like to obtain from your research and practice of an Okinawan martial art? For an academic, it would be to obtain historical and cultural facts and details. For a practitioner, it would be to gain expertise in combative skills. If you're interested in both, this first of a three-volume anthology is assembled for your convenience to facilitate your endeavors.

These volumes compile a wealth of material originally published during the two decades when the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was in print. Hundreds of pages and photographs present the richness of Okinawan martial traditions, from the original combatives to those influenced by Chinese and mainland Japanese martial art styles. The variety of topics shown in the table of contents indicates the depth and breadth of the chapters, authored by well-known experts recognized for their meticulous research and practical skills in specific arts.

These three volumes dive deep into the history and culture of Okinawan martial arts. You’ll find coverage of actual artifacts—the material culture related to weaponry and training methods. Instructions from the masters detail both open-hand techniques and weapons training. The chapters offer insights into the lives of many masters over the past few centuries, explaining the raison d'être of these unique fighting arts—their reason for being.

Many streams of martial arts have contributed to the traditions found on this small island: Naha-te, Shuri-te, Fukien White Crane, Shorin, Goju, Motobu, Shotokan, Isshin, Kyokushin, Pwang Gai Noon, Shito, Uechi, and the list goes on. Along with the various styles come their associated training methods, such as conditioning exercises using weights and creatively designed apparatus like the punching post (makiwara), stone levers, and stone padlock-shaped weights. Some practitioners become battle-hardened by actively or passively breaking objects (tameshiwari), including wooden boards, baseball bats, rocks, and ice.

The extensive use of weaponry is a key feature of many Okinawan styles, often tied to the islanders' farming and fishing occupations. This blend of history and culture makes Okinawan fighting traditions a fascinating field of study. Besides being vital sources of information, these three volumes will provide enjoyable reading and serve as permanent, at-hand reference sources in your library.