See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

3 used & new from £30.20
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Zen Shaolin Karate: The Complete Philosophy, Practice and History
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Zen Shaolin Karate: The Complete Philosophy, Practice and History (Paperback)

by Nathan Johnson (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Available from these sellers.


2 new from £67.77 1 used from £30.20

Product details

  • Paperback: 280 pages
  • Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (April 1994)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0804819181
  • ISBN-13: 978-0804819183
  • Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,225,737 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

  (What is this?)
shaolin kung fu in China
   www.chinashaolins.com    study Kung fu, taichi with shaolin monks in mountains of east China 
  
 

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

1 Review
5 star:    (0)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Superb Interpretations of Sanchin and Naihanchi, 29 Dec 2006
By Terry Tozer "TJSKA.com" (Reading & Bracknell, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This book is excellent. It starts off giving the history and origin of Karate which is very interesting. Then it goes right to the point learning. If you want a book that teaches you to relax and also teaches you some self-defence this book is for you. If you learn by reading instructions for the applications of moves it includes that along with detailed pictures. This book is a must have for all martial artists.

The title of this book, "Zen Shaolin Karate" unfortunately conjures the image of an Americanized Kenpo style. Nothing is farther from the truth. Nathan offers a superb interpretation of two of the most widely practiced fundamental kata (forms) of Okinawa Karate, the Sanchin Kata of Goju Ryu, and the Naihanchi Kata of Shorin-ryu. Johnson has researched these two forms, and reconstructed them as he believes they were performed before being altered to teach to the masses. We see for the first tome in an English language publication, Sanchin performed open handed. Naihanchin is presented as one complete form in three parts (as researchers believe it was performed prior to Itosu's time). For both forms, bunkai emphasizing locking and grappling is demonstrated, including close up photos showing how the locks are performed.

Johnson is in essence, apparently attempting to reintroduce the older Chinese methods of study, a growing trend among some Okinawa Karate stylists. My one sticking point with this book is Johnson's lack of bibliographic sources; he isn't very specific about how he did his research and how he reached his conclusions. What were his influences, who did he talk to, who did he study with, what articles and volumes did he read? Johnson's second volume, "Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of Kung Fu and Karate" does much to remedy these questions. Both volumes are excellent studies which will be helpful to anyone going through the stages of paring down and understanding their art.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject














i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

More From Nathan Johnson

Barefoot Zen: The...

Barefoot Zen: The Shaolin Roots of...

The author demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu... Read more
£19.99 £16.99

 

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

›Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates