Mas Oyama's Classic Karate

By Masutatsu Oyama

Book Overview

It's a classic, with over 750,000 copies sold! The world's greatest karate master, and the founder of modern day karate, Mas Oyama, reveals his philosophy and technique for practicing one of the world's greatest martial arts. With more than 1,300 photos that break down each movement and exercise, the Master describes every important aspect of karate. It all begins with the basic elements and leads up through set combinations, sparring, and even Tameshiwari, the art of breaking wood and other materials with your fist. From hand to foot, there's a technique to build strength, control, precision, and agility. Try various fists, handswords, foot and upper body work, preparations for the roundhouse block, 16 different stances, numerous defensive moves, and Katas-karate's set and leveled combinations that must be practiced to perfection. Everything the budding black belt needs is right here.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402712871
• ISBN13: 9781402712876
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Union Square & Co.
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Love it

The thing I love most about this book might be the fact that it presents all the same materials gone over in class. There are a few extra things towards the back. But when my ship sets sail (literally) I have to practice without the guidance of a senior student or teacher. So I use this book to help keep me up with my Kyokushin Technique. If you've been fighting or done martial arts for any period of time, don't expect to learn some new mind blowing techniques. Expect to find a laid out format to keep you on top of your traditional training. It's very reasonable, no cartwheels to flying roundhouses. No twenty attackers at once with the perfect diagram to beat them all without a scratch. Just plain and simple Kyokushin Karate. Great book. Even has forms towards the back.

A true Karate Master

This book is a republication of one that came out in the seventies. The only difference is in the original there were pictures of him fighting and killing a bull with his bare hands. Some lightweight giving into some special interest obviously had it taken out. The facts are that Mas Oyama killed many bulls with a punch to the center of its head or by hacking off a horn with a shuto strike. I spent many years teaching Karate and studied his style of bare knuckle classic karate. This book has several katas and alot of sparring technics well illustrated. Whether you are just starting or been at it a long time, this book will benefit you.

Yet another name

This book is yet another re-release of Masutatsu Oyamas book "Essential karate". It has also been released under the name "Complete karate course", and "Karate school". Only the name and cover has been changed (and the Taekwondo uniforms and practicioners on the cover on this latest version is the source of some amusement in kyokushin circles -probably the work of a editor that didnt know what he was doing and didnt know the difference), the contents are identical. If you already own any of its previous incarnations, dont bother with this one. Its annoying that they keep changing the name for every new release. If you ignore the name/edition confusion, it is a Good book on kyokushin karate basics. It is a bit dated with a 70ies feel and outdated techniques for grading purposes, but mostly it is a worthwile buy for any kyokushin karate practicioner. Mainly it is a walktrough of the basic karate techniques as done (back then) in the kyokushin style. There are also sections on warmups, breathing, self defense and more -mostly to short to be useful as anything but inspiration. It gets a bit confused and obscure occationaly. But it is still better than most books on karate released today. I rate it a 4, but for non-kyokushin karate stylist a 3 would probably be more appropriate.

5 star and more. but???????

This is an excellent book, but this book is a copy of mas oyama other book "karate school". If you have that book don't buy this because there is no difference. Oooh I almost forgot to tell you that there is difference. The book cover is not the same :)