Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki is widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of osaekomi of the last decades of the 20th century. During a highly successful competition career culminating in the world title in 1981 the majority of his victories came from ground work and osaekomi in particular.
This is the first book ever to concentrate purely on osaekomi and as such presents a considerable challenge. The range of the classic holds is relatively small--less that a dozen--but the numbers of variations and methods of application are enormous; and they are changing and developing all the time.
In this extremely clear explanation Kashiwazaki deals with the basic holds, the variations, the weaknesses and the escapes. Then--in what is perhaps the most revealing aspect of the book--he presents the applications, the turnovers that enable the judoka to apply the holds.
Katame-waza (ground work) is often likened to a chess match where unlike tachiwaza (standing) there is time to consider, to plan and to lead the opponent into a trap which cannot be broken.
Osaekomi is a guide-book to a high level of mastery. A careful study will inevitably lead to a greater success in randori and competition --and to a greater understanding of the fundamental principles in judo.
