Oldman's Bubishi:
An Introduction to Bunkai from Karate's Kata

By Mark A. Cook

Limited Distribution.
Not found in stores.

You will love this book. The "Oldman's Bubishi" is an illustrated depiction of the concepts and applications (bunkai) of five of the most practiced of all karate kata -- the pinan or heian kata series. In the Korean arts these are known as Pyung Ahn, and along with the Hyung and Poomse variations, they helped inspire Korean Karate and Tae Kwon Do.

If you have practiced these kata, but didn't understand them, or wondered what fighting or self defense applications they might contain, this book is for you. The author is Mark Cook, an illustrator, who provides sequential drawings of each of these kata, as well as step by step visual depictions of applications. You will see and learn these kata's practical, real world self defense techniques. The book should also inspire your own thinking and exploration of these forms. As a result, these kata will become alive for you and give you a deeper understanding of old style karate imbedded, but hidden, within its kata.

The Way of Sanchin Kata:
The Application of Power

By Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder

This books provides hidden insights about and understanding into one of karate's foundation kata--Sanchin.

It can change your understand forever.

Many practitioners believe that Sanchin Kata holds the key to mastering traditional martial arts. It is one of the simplest forms to learn, yet one of the most difficult to perfect. Those who truly understand its teachings find that it facilitates enormous quickness and power in any martial application. The challenge lies in gaining that understanding, which is something we had to uncover ourselves by trial and error… until now.

When Karate or “Ti” was first developed in Okinawa, it was about using technique and extraordinary power to end a fight instantly. These old ways of generating remarkable power are still accessible, but they are purposefully hidden in Sanchin Kata for the truly dedicated to find.

"Ti" (is the Okinawan word for 'hand'). "Te" (is the Japanese word for 'hand').

This book takes you to new depths of practice by breaking down the form piece by piece, body part by body part, so that the very foundation of the kata is revealed.

Test it. Every chapter, concept, and application is accompanied by a test it section, designed for you to explore and verify the kata for yourself. Sanchin Kata really comes alive when you can feel the thrill of having those hidden teachings speak to you through your body across the ages. No other document or video available today provides such depth and exploration of Sanchin Kata.

The Way of Kata:
A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Applications

By Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder

This is one of the best books on understanding kata. While focused primarily on Goju Ryu kata, the authors do illustrate principals and concept that apply to kata of other karate styles.

The ancient masters developed kata, or "formal exercises," as fault-tolerant methods to preserve their unique, combat-proven fighting systems. Unfortunately, they deployed a two-track system of instruction where an 'outer circle' of students unknowingly received modified forms with critical details or important principles omitted. Only the select 'inner circle' that had gained a master's trust and respect would be taught okuden waza, the powerful hidden applications of kata.

The theory of deciphering kata applications (kaisai no genri) was once a great mystery revealed only to trusted disciples of the ancient masters in order to protect the secrets of their systems. Even today, while the basic movements of kata are widely known, advanced practical applications and sophisticated techniques frequently remain hidden from the casual observer. The principles and rules for understanding kata are largely unknown.

This groundbreaking book unveils these methods, not only teaching you how to analyze your kata to understand what it is trying to tell you, but also helping you to utilize your fighting techniques more effectively—both in self-defense and in tournament applications.

Fifteen general principles to identify effective techniques

* Twelve discrete rules for deciphering martial applications
* Comprehensive insights into kata history, strategy and tactics
* Vital physiological considerations
* Well organized materials for easy reference and comprehensive understanding

* The Meanings of Forms & Kata
ADULT LEVEL

By Bruce Miller

* This book is about understanding your karate kata – what you are doing. This is a serious topic and much of what is shown is dangerous. Thus it is for adults only.

Many people will give you lots of possibilities for the moves in a kata but unfortunately most of these are look alike moves and worse yet many of these so called explanations flat out don't work on the street. And some (explanations) are so different than what you are actually doing in the kata that you can't even recognize the move as what you have been practicing. The Problem with all these explanations is that they don't understand the rules of kata (YES there are definite rules!) And once you know them kata AND it’s real meanings, the moves make sense for self-defense ON THE STREET! WARNING: This book explains the brutal reality of what and how a kata does its job and is not suitable for those too young to know when not to use this information.

Note: these books or booklets are short and concise, and produced in black and white with soft folded paper covers. They are self-published by the author, and offered for the unique quality of their information. You will find nothing elce like them. If you expect thick glossy books with color photos, however, these books are not for you.