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Shotokan Myths
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About the Author
Yokota Sensei has extensive martial arts experience. Not only does he have over 46 years of Shotokan Karate experience, he has also studied other styles of karate such as Goju-Ryu and Kyokushinkai, as well as Judo and Ki; his Kobudo weapons experience includes Nunchaku and Sai. Yokota Sensei started studying the martial arts in 1960 at the age of 13 when he joined the Judo club at the Hyogo Prefecture Police station. Yokota Sensei then switched his martial arts training to karate in 1964 when he joined the JKA dojo in Kobe Japan. In the 70's, Yokota Sensei became a full time instructor at the ISKF Philadelphia dojo where he taught and competed. He returned to Japan and completed his instructor's training in 1983 under the late Master Jun Sugano, 9th dan, JKA Vice Chairman. Yokota Sensei was the champion of Hyogo Prefecture Championship in 1981 and 1982, and he represented Hyogo prefecture at the JKA All National Championship in Tokyo during those years. Yokota Sensei attained all his dan ranks up to Go-dan from JKA. After switching to JKS, the late Master Tetsuhiko Asai granted him Roku-dan. Sensei Yokota received his Nana-dan and Hachi-dan from WJKA (World Japan Karate Association). The WUKO (World Unite Karate Organization) also recently granted him Hachi-dan. He holds the positions of Technical Director and Shihankai member at WJKA. He is the Chief Instructor at Byakkokan Dojo in San Jose California and his passion is to propagate Asai-ryu Shotokan karate-do.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As soon as I knew Shihan Yokota had written a book, I wanted to get it. I had previously seen his articles in Shotokan Karate Magazine and knew that he was a man of great insight and honesty. Much of what we are taught in the Karate world defies logic, yet has been passed down to us as "lore" by our Japanese masters. However, Shihan Yokota is sincere in wanting to expose the truth. This book explains how things have been change from their original meanings for social or political reasons; or just to make judging competitions more easy. Yet these changes of convenience are then passed on as having always been the way!
Shihan Yokota also exposes how many things are portrayed as being secret knowledge or mysterious, when in his view, even many senior Japanese instructors either just don't know, or can't be bothered to tell us.
Well the truths are exposed in this book. With the rise of "reality based" martial arts and MMA, Shihan Yokota is concerned that if the art of Shotokan which he is so passionate about is not taught properly and honestly it will become obsolete. This book is aimed at Westerners to tell us what many other Japanese masters can't or won't.
This is a must read book for anybody interested in truly understanding Karate.
Shihan Yokota also exposes how many things are portrayed as being secret knowledge or mysterious, when in his view, even many senior Japanese instructors either just don't know, or can't be bothered to tell us.
Well the truths are exposed in this book. With the rise of "reality based" martial arts and MMA, Shihan Yokota is concerned that if the art of Shotokan which he is so passionate about is not taught properly and honestly it will become obsolete. This book is aimed at Westerners to tell us what many other Japanese masters can't or won't.
This is a must read book for anybody interested in truly understanding Karate.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Highly recommended
18 Dec 2010
Format:Paperback
As soon as I knew Shihan Yokota had written a book, I wanted to get it. I had previously seen his articles in Shotokan Karate Magazine and knew that he was a man of great insight and honesty. Much of what we are taught in the Karate world defies logic, yet has been passed down to us as "lore" by our Japanese masters. However, Shihan Yokota is sincere in wanting to expose the truth. This book explains how things have been change from their original meanings for social or political reasons; or just to make judging competitions more easy. Yet these changes of convenience are then passed on as having always been the way!
Shihan Yokota also exposes how many things are portrayed as being secret knowledge or mysterious, when in his view, even many senior Japanese instructors either just don't know, or can't be bothered to tell us.
Well the truths are exposed in this book. With the rise of "reality based" martial arts and MMA, Shihan Yokota is concerned that if the art of Shotokan which he is so passionate about is not taught properly and honestly it will become obsolete. This book is aimed at Westerners to tell us what many other Japanese masters can't or won't.
This is a must read book for anybody interested in truly understanding Karate.
Shihan Yokota also exposes how many things are portrayed as being secret knowledge or mysterious, when in his view, even many senior Japanese instructors either just don't know, or can't be bothered to tell us.
Well the truths are exposed in this book. With the rise of "reality based" martial arts and MMA, Shihan Yokota is concerned that if the art of Shotokan which he is so passionate about is not taught properly and honestly it will become obsolete. This book is aimed at Westerners to tell us what many other Japanese masters can't or won't.
This is a must read book for anybody interested in truly understanding Karate.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
An important book that all serious shotokan karate students and instructors should read.
5 Feb 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Finally, a book by a Japanese karate expert who had the courage to expose the flaws in thinking when it comes to Shotokan karate. May be it is just a cultural or spiritual factor, but few karate masters will challenge the traditional myths when it comes to karate. However, Kousaku Yokota, Sensei at least treads lightly (too lightly as far as I am concerned, on some of the sacred cows of Shotokan karate.
This excellent book questions numerous dogmas and will make all serious karate practitioners think a little more deeply about the myths and misconceptions of karate. The thirteen chapters cover the basic concepts of kime, Hikite, which is the opposite hand pulling back when punching etc, the snap back in mae geri, using the Makiwara, silent Kiai, JKA Bunkai, the myth of kata beginning and ending with blocks, the way early JKA created the ancient katas so they all would end at the original starting point, The Tekki kata (two parts), Hangetsu kata, Bujutsu or Budo and the contradiction in "Karate ni sente nashi" and "Sente hissho."
Though I agree with the vast majority of material presented in this volume, I still see that the subject of kata, which the author deals with too briefly in this book, is filled with mystical and unscientific theories concerning the "bunkai" myths. It may be because the author was born and raised in a culture which worships martial art katas as the way to enlightenment. It is not that I hate kata, because I practice about thirty karate kata every single day, plus ten Kenjutsu katas. It is just that I have a completely different opinion as to why the ancient masters designed the katas. The view that there are secret and hidden meanings and moves in kata is pure mystical speculation.
In conclusion, this is a book for all serious Shotokan karate students and instructors. I hope more masters will begin to question the many dogmas in our beloved art.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Manual, Combat Karate for the street)
This excellent book questions numerous dogmas and will make all serious karate practitioners think a little more deeply about the myths and misconceptions of karate. The thirteen chapters cover the basic concepts of kime, Hikite, which is the opposite hand pulling back when punching etc, the snap back in mae geri, using the Makiwara, silent Kiai, JKA Bunkai, the myth of kata beginning and ending with blocks, the way early JKA created the ancient katas so they all would end at the original starting point, The Tekki kata (two parts), Hangetsu kata, Bujutsu or Budo and the contradiction in "Karate ni sente nashi" and "Sente hissho."
Though I agree with the vast majority of material presented in this volume, I still see that the subject of kata, which the author deals with too briefly in this book, is filled with mystical and unscientific theories concerning the "bunkai" myths. It may be because the author was born and raised in a culture which worships martial art katas as the way to enlightenment. It is not that I hate kata, because I practice about thirty karate kata every single day, plus ten Kenjutsu katas. It is just that I have a completely different opinion as to why the ancient masters designed the katas. The view that there are secret and hidden meanings and moves in kata is pure mystical speculation.
In conclusion, this is a book for all serious Shotokan karate students and instructors. I hope more masters will begin to question the many dogmas in our beloved art.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Manual, Combat Karate for the street)
Very well written!
4 Mar 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I truly believe that this is a must read for anyone new or old to Karate and I was plesantly surprised at how well written and in depth it was. One of the two best written books on the subject ever as far as the history with great explainatory references as to the what, how's and why's. Thank you for this!
M
M
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