The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique Book by Shigeru Egami (Hardcover) (Preowned)

A landmark philosophical and technical work by the chief instructor who transformed Shotokan karate after Gichin Funakoshi’s death. Egami advocates a radical shift from rigid, muscular power to relaxed, fluid, “soft” karate — emphasizing one-strike knockout power through total body unity, breathing, and ki.

Packed with rare photos of Egami breaking boards with seemingly effortless strikes, it remains one of the most influential books on the deeper essence of karate and the birth of Shotokai style. Essential reading for anyone interested in karate beyond sport or competition.

About the Author:

Shigeru Egami (1912–1981) was a pioneering Japanese master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shōtōkai style. He studied at Waseda University, where he became one of Gichin Funakoshi's earliest students and later his successor. He emphasized karate's spiritual essence, relaxation, and fluid techniques over competition, authoring The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique.

Length: 160 pages

Publication date: 1976