Karate
Examining Yasutsune Itosu - Part 1: The Man And His Lineage
By Tom Ross
Was Anko Itosu the inheritor of the karate heritage passed down by the great Sokon 'Bushi' Matsumura the leading exponent of Shurite?
Teaching Karate-Do: Interview with Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, founder and Chairman of the World Seido Karate Organization
By Christopher Caile
Karate-do is a lot more than physical strength or technique.
Throws in Karate?
By Joe Swift
Karate has a lot more techniques than most people think, including a variety of throws and takedowns.
Shindo Jinen-ryu Karate-do History and Tradition of Budo
By Akihiro Omi
Introduction and development of karate in Japan during the early 20th century.
In Memory Of Master Odo
By Paul Ortino, Jr.
Grandmaster Seikichi Odo (10th dan) was one of karate's most famous martial arts instructors.
Memories Of Richard Kim
By Christopher Caile
A personal reflection on this American karate master, his thoughts and what he taught.
The Passing Of A Great American Karate Icon-Pioneer & Master - Richard Kim
By Don Warrener
The world loses the great American martial arts pioneer and karate master, Richard Kim.
Azato Ankoh: A Short Story About My Teacher Part 2
By Gichen Funakoshi
Part 2 of a fascinating translation of a 1934 article by Gichen Funakoshi portraying of his own teacher Ankoh Azato.
Azato Ankoh: A Short Story About My Teacher Part 1
By Gichen Funakoshi
Part 1 of a fascinating translation of a 1934 article by Gichen Funakoshi portraying of his own teacher Ankoh Azato.
Gichen Funakoshi And The Beginning Of Modern Karate-do
By Tom Ross
Few martial arts enthusiasts could argue that if there was one Karate-ka (karate practitioner) known world wide that man would be Gichen Funakoshi
Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyohan: The History and Fundamentals of Goju-Ryu Karate
By Yamaguchi Gogen 'The Cat'
Yamaguchi was the legendary and colorful early 20th century karate master who founded Japanese Goju-Ryu -- one of Japan's largest and most successful karate organizations.
Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyohan: The Significance of Kata
By Yamaguchi Gogen 'The Cat'
The practice of kata is critical to a true understanding of karate.
The Complete Tatsuo Shimabuku
By Victor Smith
Tatsuo Shimabuku's pioneering efforts helped spread his style of karate, Isshinryu, to be spread across the United States and the world in the 50's and 60's.
What's In A Name? How the meaning of the term karate has changed
By Maurey Levitz
How the meaning of the term karate has changed.
Examining Yasutsune Itosu - Part 2: Itosu's Ten Precepts
By Tom Ross
The historic 1908 letter to Ministry of Education and the Ministry of War drawing attention to karate and its role in developing strong young men for the nation and its military.
Historical Outline Of Karate-do, Martial Arts Of Ryukyu
By Chojun Miyagi
A fascinating insight on karate, its meaning and history by the famous karate pioneer and founder of Goju Ryu karate, Chojun Miyagi.
Choki Motobu: Through The Myth ... To the Man - Part 1
By Tom Ross
The first of a two articles exploring the truths and misconceptions about Choki Motobu who was arguably one of Okinawa's greatest early twentieth century karate masters, and the most colorful.
Choki Motobu:Through The Myth ...To the Man Part 2
By Tom Ross
The second of a two articles exploring the truths and misconceptions about Choki Motobu who was arguably one of Okinawa's greatest early twentieth century karate masters, and the most colorful.
Secrets Of The Old Okinawan Fist
By Victor Smith
Most have never seen it, but this old Okinawan method of forming a fist may add power to your punch.
The O-Soto-Gari Judo Throw In Jujutsu & Karate
By Christopher Caile
Each art has its own emphasis that affects the set-up and the way the throw is executed.
The Hollywood Dream: An Interview With Jean Claude Van Damme
By Don Warrener
Making it in Hollywood is difficult but there are a few things you can do to bolster you chances.
Treasure Of ?70?s Film Footage Recovered: Includes Elvis Sponsored Karate Film
By Christopher Caile
It lay there in the back of an old pickup truck for 14 years ? included was over 1000 hours of raw film footage including a pristine film of Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee demonstrating karate and an unreleased Elvis funded karate film.
Zen Mirror - Every Person Can Be Great: Advice for Black Belts and Others
By Jeff Brooks
Long term martial arts students benefit not just from physical improvement, but from a transformation , a rebirth each time they practice as they shed their old skin to feel their body more alive and senses more acute.
Chambering
By Victor Smith and Christopher Caile
It is unfortunate that the current generation of karate student has never learned, or looked to uncover, applications of chambering.
Jean Claude van Damme: Behind The Public Image
By Don Warrener
There are other sides of Jean Claude that few if any have ever seen.
On Choki Motobu ? Part 1
By Patrick McCarthy
While Choki Motobu may not be a name familiar to all readers, this early Okinawan karate master was one of the early pioneers of karate in Japan and was known for his no-nonsense, practical fighting ability.
On Choki Motobu ? Part 2
By Patrick McCarthy
Motobu represented the last of a warrior-like breed, one who walked the talk, a stalwart not intimidated by political pressure, or afraid to stand up to what he believed in.
The Old Okinawan Karate Toe Kick: Part 1- Introduction & Execution
By Christopher Caile
While a lot of karate-ka are surprised to see the toe kick they don?t realize that it is part of their heritage.
The Old Okinawan Karate Toe Kick: Part 2- Historical Introduction
By Christopher Caile
By taking up the toe kick, I was re-establishing a historical link to the past, to the heritage of technique and to the masters who once practiced it.
The Old Okinawan Karate Toe Kick: Part 3- More Shorin-Ryu & Intro To Naha-te
By Christopher Caile
Toe kicks were an essential part of both early Shorin-ryu and Naha-te karate, but how they are used differ between free fighting and self-defense applications.
Interview With Hohan Soken: The Last Of The Great Old Time Karate Warriors ? Part 1
By Ernie Estrada
Matsumura Orthodox is an old style karate that takes the student back to ancient times when karate was more forceful and challenging.
Interview With Hohan Soken: The Last Of The Great Old Time Karate Warriors ? Part 2
By Ernie Estrada
There are many secrets in karate that people will never know and will never understand, but they are really not secret if you train in Okinawa under a good teacher.
To?on Goju-ryu
By Yagi Meitoku
While most students recognize the name of Miyagi Chojun, founder Goju-ryu karate, few recognize the name Kyoda Juhatsu sensei. He was senior to Miyagi under their teacher Higashionna Kanryo and when asked after Miyagi?s death about the possibility of taking over the system, he offered up the name, To?on Goju-Ryu (literally ?Higashion[na] Goju-Ryu style), something that never materialized.
Uechi-ryu Karate ? A short History: Part 1
By Mario McKenna
Uechi Ryu Karate is a powerful Okinawan style which originated in China. It shares many similarities with Goju Ryu karate and the lesser Naha-Te styles of To'on Ryu and Ryuei Ryu.
Uechi-ryu Karate ? A short History: Part 2
By Mario McKenna
Having returned from China it took years of prodding for Uechi Kanbun to finally begin teaching his art. It eventually grew into one of the best known styles of karate on Okinawa and has spread worldwide.
Kinjo Kensei & Old Style Karate Training
By Kinjo Masanobu
Most karate teachers teach modern techniques to the masses but a few still teach the old style karate to a few.
Martial Mania: All Blocks Suck
By George Donahue
This doesn?t mean that all blocks are worthless, but it does mean that blocks done the wrong way are less than optimal and some truly indeed are worthless. What we?re really getting at, however, is that blocks should draw the opponent?s attack toward the defender, deflecting the path of attack only by from 5 to 15 degrees, if at all.
Martial Mania: Shut? uke vs. shut? uchi
By George Donahue
Too often when doing kata practitioners execute merely a shut?, and neither uchi nor uke. That means that they are just posturing and not really doing anything that useful.
Martial Mania: Uso Kumite / Yakusoko Kumite
By George Donahue
Much of what we practice in our martial traditions is the art of deception. It?s a paradox we tend to ignore for a while but which we eventually have to deal with.
A Glimpse Of Old Karate From Hohan Soken
By Christopher Caile
Hohan Soken?s self defense techniques demonstrated by Roy Suenaka provide a glimpse of old style Okinawan karate that was both practical and effective.
Martial Arts: Karate - ?A Tall Tree In The Forest Has Fallen
By Don Warrener
On November 8, 2008 the karate world lost one of its most famed teachers: Hidetaka Nishiyama. Here is one of his last interviews.
An Open Letter To Chuck Norris
By Herb Borkland
The question for an international karate star at the height of his reputation is? now what? Perhaps politics?
Makings Of A Hanshi: Charles Martin
By Christopher Caile
In the martial arts business world filled with young, instant masters, this senior Seido Karate student?s life long dedication, accomplishments and spirit stands out in marked contrast.
A Half Century Of Budo, Part 1
By Jarmo Osterman
Christopher Caile has practiced karate and other martial arts including aikido for over 50 years. In 1960 he introduced karate to Finland. This is his story.
A Half Century Of Budo, Part 2
By Jarmo Osterman
In addition to being an accomplished practitioner of karate, aikido and other martial arts, Caile has for decades researched karate, its history, kata and their applications in the US as well as Japan and Okinawa. In his professional life Caile has also been an entrepreneur, writer and journalist.
Christopher Caile:The Man Who Brought Karate to Finland Part 1
By Jarmo Osterman
Christopher Caile has a master's degree in International Politics. He could also be granted a Master's Degree in martial Arts. Caile, celebrating his 50th year in Martial arts, has practiced many different styles of Martial Arts
Christopher Caile:The Man Who Brought Karate to Finland Part 2
By Jarmo Osterman
Christopher Caile has a master's degree in International Politics. He could also be granted a Master's Degree in martial Arts. Caile, celebrating his 50th year in Martial arts, has practiced many different styles of Martial Arts
The Enduring Legacy of Yasuhiro Konishi
By Howard High
While the names of early Okinawan karate masters such as Funakoshi, Mabuni and Motobu are well known for their role in helping get karate getting accepted in Japan, the name Yashuhiro Konishi has gone largely unrecognized.
Funakoshi vs. Motobu - Part 1
By Matthew Apsokardu
While the Okinawan masters Gichin Funakoshi and Choki Motobu were both pioneers of Japanese karate, they were very different men, with different backgrounds, education, personalities and outlooks.
Funakoshi vs. Motobu - Part 2
By Matthew Apsokardu
While the Okinawan masters Gichin Funakoshi and Choki Motobu were both pioneers of Japanese karate their differences led to conflict.
Interview With Roy Suenaka On Hohan Soken & Tuidi
By Christopher Caile
In addition to studying White Crane Karate with Okinawan Grand Master Hohan Soken, Roy Suenaka also learned the old Okinawan art of tuidi. It is an old art rarely seen today that may predate karate itself.
Honoring Joe Lewis: His life & Lost Interview - Part 1
By Paul Maslak
Joe Lewis was an American karate icon. Part I of this article is an introduction to his life and his karate.
Honoring Joe Lewis: His life & Lost Interview - Part 2
By Paul Maslak
The this lost interview, Joe Lewis reflects on the origin of kickboxing, his personal mentor Bruce Lee and the first televised world championships that launched international full-contact competition.
The Art of War, Sun Tzu: Ancient Wisdom For Martial Artists - Part 1
By Gary Music
Sun Tzu's ancient text on military tactics, "The Art of War," is not only a source of wisdom that only applies to military principles. It can equally be applied to personal self defense too.
The Art of War, Sun Tzu: Ancient Wisdom For Martial Artists - Part 2
By Gary Music
Sun Tzu's ancient text on military tactics, "The Art of War," is not only a source of wisdom that only applies to military principles. It can equally be applied to personal self defense too.
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