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"'both valuable and long overdue' Geoff Thompson 'All karateka should read... this excellent book. There can be few people more qualified to write a book such as this' Iain Abernethy"
Iain Abernethy, fifth-degree black belt Author of Bunkai-Jutsu: The Practical Application of Karate Kata
Regardless of style, all karateka should read and digest the information contained within this excellent book. Gavin Mulholland is someone who fully understands the realities of combat and kata and if you wish to practise karate as the pragmatic fighting system it was intended to be, you should familiarise yourself with Gavin's work. This is a thorough and accessible explanation of everything you need to know to make sense of kata and become a complete fighter. Four Shades of Black is a must-read book that is certain to become a modern classic. Enjoy!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book. Not only is it beautiful to look at, it is a pleasure to read. Clear, concise, eloquent sentence structure and very accessible. So valuable for the kyu grade in that it explains what you should be trying to achieve with your training at each level, but also for the dan grade to ensure that nothing has been overlooked.
It's not a 'how to' book at all really, more something to make you think about what you are doing and why. Its premise is to give you the underlying principles behind the training for each kata. Suggestions for the padwork, partnerwork and conditioning drills required to work on the necessary mindset. And as you progress through each kata, those skills are reinforced and built upon so that, by the time you get to black belt, you have accumulated an instinctive set of reactions to varying situations that will come to the fore when under pressure.
I loved the little snapshots of violence that introduced each kata and, by the end of the book, I wanted to be that student taking his first steps in the dojo.
I shall certainly be approaching my future training with a very different way of thinking.
It's not a 'how to' book at all really, more something to make you think about what you are doing and why. Its premise is to give you the underlying principles behind the training for each kata. Suggestions for the padwork, partnerwork and conditioning drills required to work on the necessary mindset. And as you progress through each kata, those skills are reinforced and built upon so that, by the time you get to black belt, you have accumulated an instinctive set of reactions to varying situations that will come to the fore when under pressure.
I loved the little snapshots of violence that introduced each kata and, by the end of the book, I wanted to be that student taking his first steps in the dojo.
I shall certainly be approaching my future training with a very different way of thinking.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Whether you train in Goju or any other Martial Art , this book underlines the principles and mind set for a student as they progress through their training.
It's layout and classy use of black and white photos enhances the high standard of the information contained in this book.
Although not a "step by step" text book , as many books on Karate are , it gives many insights and ideas for training using bunkai , partner drills and padwork.Which all help to raise the skills of the students as they study the Kata.
I think this book is the best book on the first four Kata contained in the Goju Ryu system.
Here's hoping for another on the rest of the Goju Kata.
It's layout and classy use of black and white photos enhances the high standard of the information contained in this book.
Although not a "step by step" text book , as many books on Karate are , it gives many insights and ideas for training using bunkai , partner drills and padwork.Which all help to raise the skills of the students as they study the Kata.
I think this book is the best book on the first four Kata contained in the Goju Ryu system.
Here's hoping for another on the rest of the Goju Kata.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to say that has to be one of the best books on bunkai out there! Not only is the information superb, it's also the way the book is laid out that is so impressive (think "coffee table" quality).
I was privileged to be able to make a small contribution to the book by way of the foreword (Geoff Thompson wrote the preface) and hence I got to see the draft a few months ago. Brilliant information! The final book truly is something to behold and I can honestly say I don't think I've seen as stylish a martial arts book.
Can't recommend this one highly enough.
Iain Abernethy
I was privileged to be able to make a small contribution to the book by way of the foreword (Geoff Thompson wrote the preface) and hence I got to see the draft a few months ago. Brilliant information! The final book truly is something to behold and I can honestly say I don't think I've seen as stylish a martial arts book.
Can't recommend this one highly enough.
Iain Abernethy
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
quite ok
i'm goju-ryu newcomer with judo experience before. The book is written in an excellent way but pictures are too "artistic". Read more
Published 10 months ago by mwol
An important book for every martial artist
This book is essential reading for any serious karateka, and indeed any martial artist interested in maximising the potential of whatever system they practice. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. S. Clinch
An excellent book
I remember when I first started training in karate, I went into various bookshops to try and find a good book on Goju Ryu and Okinawan martial arts and apart from The History of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Daniel Bard
Bringing the Kata back to life
Sensei Mulholland is one of these rare martial arts masters that truly understands a discipline, lives, and writes to it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by F.S.
It's All There In Black & White
The slow resurgence of Karate as a complete fighting system has taken a momentous leap forward with Gavin Mulholland's superlative work of art, Four Shades of Black. Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by Andrew O. Brien
Four shades of black
Thought provoking book for karate practitioners with a focus on Goju Ryu. Waiting for the next book from Gavin.
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by Mr. David C. Abrehart
A Manual For A Fighting Mindset
This is not a martial arts instruction manual showing you a list of techniques move by move and frame by frame. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by S. Fagence
a simply brilliant book
Four Shades of Black: The Traditional Path to Building the Complete Fighter
I brought this book for my husband, he teaches goju karate and is a 4th dan black belt. Read more
I brought this book for my husband, he teaches goju karate and is a 4th dan black belt. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2009 by T. Langworthy
A modern classic
I have collected through dint of much effort and investment of time quite a comprehensive martial arts library. Read more
Published on 28 July 2008 by Basho
A unique and interesting tome
Four Shades of Black is a feast for the eyes. Stark black pages with brilliant white text and lush monochrome photography worthy of any coffee table "art" volume aren't exactly... Read more
Published on 23 July 2008 by L. A. Kane
Listmania!
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