The Kata and Bunkai of Goju-Ryu Karate: The Essence of the Heishu and Kaishu Kata (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781623171995)

Challenging timeworn conventions of karate training and revealing the original intent of classical kata--or forms--through detailed descriptions of self-defense applications known as bunkai, this is a crucial addition to any martial-arts library. Containing more than 265 photos, the book is divided into chapters that illuminate each of the ten classical kata of Goju-ryu.

Drawing on more than forty years of experience in the martial arts, Giles Hopkins Sensei takes us on a journey into the Goju-ryu karate system, providing a principles-based method for analysis of kata practice. Arguing against the commonly held notion that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, he insists that a kata cannot simply mean what the user wants it to mean, but contains specific martial principles that must be followed for it to work effectively.

The step-by-step descriptions of the receiving, controlling or bridging, and finishing techniques contain in-depth analysis of commonly misunderstood aspects of kata. Each chapter concludes with an engaging anecdote from the author's time in Okinawa, the birthplace of Goju-ryu, connecting it with the kata under discussion. Equally useful for the novice and for more advanced karate practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of kata and bunkai.

Author: Giles Hopkins
ISBN-10: 1623171997
ISBN-13: 9781623171995
Publisher: Blue Snake Books
Language: English
Published: 02/06/2018
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.80d