Practical Karate: Fundamentals Bk.1 (Tuttle practical karate series) [Paperback]

Nakayama Sensei, former Chief Instructor of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) and internationally known martial arts expert, Donn Draeger prepared this series in the early 1960s (they've been out of print for a long time). The real value of each of the books is actually the photographs of Nakayama Sensei -- both authors are no longer with us. While the self-defense scenarios may be slightly out of date and simplistic to seasoned karateka (students of karate), they are invaluable to the rest of us. Unless your mind works like a street bully -- you never think about such situations and how to respond, or practicing to respond. I have the entire set for my library and recommend it for those just beginning in the traditional Japanese martial arts. I've actually been trying to spot C.W. Nicol, who acted as one of the "bad guys", the author of "Moving Zen" which is perhaps the best chronicle of a occidental training in Karate -- in Japan.

The authors of this fantastic series(practical karate) have passed away, but their influence will remain forever in the martial arts world. This is the first book in the practical karate series and it is essential reading for anyone who desires to master karate for self-defense. The one flaw in many self-defense books is that they often ignor the importance of learning the basics or fundamentals of blocking, punching, kicking and striking before moving on to the actual application in self-defense situations.

In conclusion, this is a must book for anyone who desires to learn the fundamental principles of karate for self-defense.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate for Self-Defense: Combat Karate for the street).

This unique "Practical Karate" series was in print a long time -- via various editions -- due to this series filling a need for GOOD Practical Karate for self-defense, protection and survival in various real-world situations. The [ten] Essential Points repeated thru-out this first book are the final finish to a well-organized and presented plan [from large to small scale] with clear writing and photos to present sharp Practical Karate methods.

Like other commentary, I value seeing the three Karate legends in graphic action -- Nakayama, Draeger and Nicol. One of Nakayama's and Draeger's main concerns was to really present methods that made good practical sense -- learnable and effective and matching the attack-situation using classical Shotokan Karate methods of self-defense. But, this "Fundamentals of Self-Defense" book, and the whole series, intrigues me even more as time goes on.

I went thru a long period questioning such classical Karate methods -- so was not understanding why several of my mentors liked Shotokan so much. In fact, most of my mentors had Shotokan in common, despite having other Arts as main ones. Also, I just could not understand why a "Deep" Art, such as Kosho Ryu Kempo, used classical Karate Kata, as well as advanced "Octogon" angling-checks and "Origami" folding-throws -- this Art being a main source of my first [Kenpo Jiujitsu] mentor.

Later, I happened upon an account about the making of the six-book "Practical Karate" series -- by co-author Donn Draeger. He stated that Nakayama could really do the Shotokan Karate movements as shown -- with terrifyingly accurate speed and power -- that left no question in anyone nearby that the techniques worked. Some of the stunt-folks apparently tried to get rough with Nakayama [several times] -- to curiously test him. Nakayama Sensei easily avoided their attacks and left them, in check, helpless -- yet, was holding-back in moderation.

Shotokan Karate is based on three primary approaches -- Kata [classical move sets], Kihon [moves practiced from sets] and Kumite [drill-to-free sparring] -- and Bunkai [self-defense applications of Kata, Kihon and Kumite -- with primary-to-extended versions]. Kodokan Judo has a very similar practice-strategy. So, both of those classical martial arts were already semi-modern -- with drill-to-free-sparring, as well as classical movement practice. Modern Western [and mixed] kickboxing and grappling styles typically have a similar strategy -- individual move practice, "sweet-combo" move-sets practice and drill-to-free sparring.

Now, I see that some quiet hints given to me by these mentors are correct -- one should understand that the half-step positions are important [fluid "soft" contact], as well as the full-step positions [solid "hard" contact], of the on-going movements -- and to understand that the classical methods are concerned about keeping on-going balance in unknown terrain, to move so as to be on-guard all-around in nearby-space against possible armed-attackers, while out-moving them and knocking them down as quickly as possible -- as exemplified via the "Practical Karate" series +++