Way of Karate

by George E. Mattson

Book Overview

This easy-to-follow guide introduces the basic techniques of Okinawan karate. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804818525
• ISBN13: 9780804818520
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 199 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.2" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Rare Book, Rare Style, Rare Quality

The depth of this book, first and foremost, not just on the physical movements, but on the philosophy of Karate, is phenomenal. Mr. Mattson, though young when he wrote this book, had an incredible grasp on the essence of Karate-Do, and of his style. Though not a practitioner of Uechi-ryu Karate and therefore unfit for an indepth judgement, his skill is obviously there. He shows, step by step and in great detail (including diagrams), the movements of two of the three main Kata: Sanchin and Seisan. Before the forms he outlines basic hand strikes, leg strikes, blocks and stances, as well as warm ups and drills. After each kata, however, he delves even deeper, while showing a generous amount of applications (Bunkai, I believe it is usually called in Karate). The stories/legends of great teachers at the end - which are my favorite part of all martial arts primers - is what adds a real aesthetic value to the whole book. Another good book on another Okinawan style of Karate is Shoshin Nagamine's "The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do". Great piece of work! Enjoyed it a lot, as well as learned a few things too!

Necessary Text for Uechi-Ryu Beginners

I usually do not recommend a book for martial arts study. A few I have found contain the basics that can help a beginner. This is one. Though Mr. Mattson may blush at his form now--he was a 1st degree and he is now a 9th degree--it is sufficient to help a student in self-study.I would recommend a student use this book to help their study under the guidence of a teacher.

It was a facinating look at the world of karate.

I used this book as the primary reference book while doing research for a children's book that I wrote several years ago. Encyclopedias and other karate books just weren't as definitive as Mr. Mattson's. It was fantastic. Thank you for all the illustrations and directions. I thought so highly of this book, that a brief description and thank you is included on my acknowledgment page. It is now several years later and I am finally going to start my own training at a local school.

A very good book by one of the karate pioneers.

This is a great book. It gives a nice historical perspective on Uechi-ryu Karate. Sensei Mattson has done a lot to help spread karate here in the U.S. One word of warning- in this (his first book) the term Karate and Kung-fu is sometimes used interchangably- Consider that this book was published in 1963 and those words did not mean quite the same as they do today. A definite must for your martial arts collection.