Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karate Classic, 6 Dec 2003
This book is not a text book it will not show you the correct way to execute a punch or deliver a block. What it will do will introduce you to the likes of Sensei Harry Cook.
Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama,. Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama.
The list goes on, and I extend my apologies to any Senseis not mentioned. The ones I have mentioned where chosen at random. In all 23 Top Senseis are interviewed and its all here in this book. Their thoughts, insights, methods of training. Personal beliefs, their inspirations, its all here. This book is a must for the serious martial artist and Karateka in particular. I found the various interviews educational and inspirational I am sure you will to.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Masterpiece, 8 Mar 2007
After his first success of the first volume of Karate Masters, Jose proudly presents another volume (of three) with a new repertoire of historical figures, such as Mas Oyama, Keinosuke Enoeda, Richard Kim, Shinpo Matayoshi, Tsutomu Ohshima, Yoshiaki Ajari, Goshi Yamaguchi, and other world-recognized professional martial artists.
In this second volume, there are new interviews where the world's top karate masters have been gathered to present an integrated and complete view of the empty-handed art of fighting, philosophy, and self-defence. It's a detailed reference work, and a "must have" addition to your personal library.
I only rate it four stars as I think his first volume could have easily been incorporated into this one. That said, it's a huge read, well written and attractively laid out with lots of new photos of the masters.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding first-hand interviews, 20 Feb 2007
A very readable and enjoyable collection of interviews with famous masters and exponents in the karate world. Alas, some of my favourites, such as Mabune and Nakayama, have passed away since this book was published, but Fraguas has done us the service of immortalizing their thoughts on karate in this great little volume. You'll find dozens of famous masters here, and it includes interviews with well known American and European experts (such as Dan Ivan, Chuck Merriman, and Ray Dalke in the U.S., and H. D. Plee in France) as well as Okinawan and Japanese masters. At the time of these interviews, many of these masters were already in their 50s, 60s, or 70s, and it was interesting to hear their thoughts on the evolution of karate during their lifetimes, as well as how their understanding of karate had changed or deepened with age. There were some surprises too, when I learned that Kanazawa had been studying Yang style tai chi since 1957 and was rated a master in it (he mentions there are 7 levels to Yang tai chi and he holds the highest level). He feels that tai chi has helped his karate, which was interesting, since I study tai chi and have found it useful to me also in many ways. Overall, a fine book of fascinating and informative interviews with many of the most famous names in karate of our time.
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by Dennis Martin
by Jose M. Fraguas
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