The Shotokan Karate Bible: Beginner to Black Belt »

Ashley P. Martin is a Shotokan black belt, instructor and grading examiner. He is a co-founder of Just Karate Ltd an organization that offers karate instruction in public schools and for private clients.

A well-illustrated and comprehensive guide to Shotokan karate, the most widely practiced style. Organized by belt and including a syllabus with step-by-step photographs for each sequence, this is a clear guide useful to both participants and instructors.

VOYA

This guide takes the karate student from beginner (white belt) to advanced (black belt). In an introductory history, readers learn that there are different styles of karate, a Japanese martial art that uses punches, kicks, and blocks. Shotokan's founder was Gichin Funakoshi, called the "Father of Modern Karate" for successfully promoting it in the early twentieth century. Each chapter outlines a grading syllabus, listing the techniques and sparring that the student must master to earn a particular belt, followed by extensive step-by-step photographs illustrating the moves involved. A typical class, the uniform, and etiquette are described. For anyone determined to learn karate, this guide will be helpful, but it cannot take the place of an actual class with an instructor. One example is the kiai, or the martial shout. It is one thing to read a description but quite another to hear how it really sounds. Although the photographs are detailed, the fluidity of movement is lost and just not the same as if demonstrated in person. How long does one hold a block? When does one pull the arm back? A student with a stake in learning karate may be able to retain the meaning of the Japanese words. Others, like this reviewer, might have to constantly refer to the glossary. For those determined to learn with no means for lessons with a teacher/sensei, or to supplement a class, this book of fundamentals is comprehensive and worthy. Reviewer: Jane Van Wiemokly

1. Introduction
2. Beginner's Guide
3. Beginner to Orange Belt
4. Orange to Red Belt
5. Red to Yellow Belt
6. Yellow to Green Belt
7. Green to Purple Belt
8. Purple to Purple and White Belt
9. Purple and White Belt to Brown Belt
10. Brown to Black Belt

Appendices

• Grading Syllabus
• Shotokan Karate Kata

Bibliography

Glossary

Index