Karate Masters

by Jose Fraguas

Karate is one of the most popular, yet misunderstood, martial arts in the world. With roots in China that led to the development of Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu in Okinawa, which eventually migrated to Japan where it transformed into Shotokan and other worldwide systems such as Shito Ryu, Wado Ryu and Goju Ryu, karate has a colorful and fascinating past. Through interviews with historical figures such as Osamu Ozawa, and current world class masters such as Hirokazu Kanazawa, Fumio Demura, Minobu Miki, Morio Higaonna, Hidetaka Nishiyama, etc., the many threads of karate learning, lore, and legend are woven together to present an integrated and complete view of the "empty hand" art of fighting and self-defense.

Genres: Martial Arts

338 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of interviews with various karate masters. I like format, and I guess Fraguas has done this several other times for other books, which interests me. However, the interviews themselves were a mixed bag. Some of these guys were really interesting, seasoned men with plenty to say about training, about fighting, about life. A lot (most?) of these guys were self-aggrandizing chest-thumpers promoting themselves and karate in terms of how bad ass they are. I don't doubt they know how to kick ass; I also don't think it's good form to brazenly sound your own horn. It's hardly the dignified attitude that respected martial artists generally display in public, and I was really turned off by several of the men interviewed. Fraguas also seemed to be talking them up in his comments preceding each chapter. Also, I thought it was strange that there was not a single woman interviewed.

For a better, more balanced account of karate or any other martial art masters, check out The Warrior's Path, or Karatedo: My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi, or most anything by Dave Lowry, or Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman, or anything by Bruce Lee.

[Tim Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. The author gave us a good look into how karate used to be practiced in "the day", through interviews with the masters. It made me want to up my training to something closer to what karate training once was.

[John Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid collection of interviews with karate men from different styles. Best interview was with Stan Schmidt, best known to non-martial artists as "The Fly" in KILL AND KILL AGAIN. He's studied Shotokan since 1963 and is still going strong after a severe car crash and having both hips replaced.