Mario McKenna Sensei (interviewed in Episode 12 of The Applied Karate Show) has released the first English language translation of Genwa Nakasone’s An Overview of Karatedo. Regarded as one of the most comprehensive texts on karate published during the golden age of karate, the Japanese version of this book has long been a primary research tool for many historians and authors examining the history of Okinawan / Japanese karate.

Available in hardcover, softcover and ebook formats, An Overview of Karatedo, is a valuable resource for all karateka interested in learning more about the origins of our art.

Visit Mario McKenna’s page on Lulu.com for information on ordering An Overview of Karatedo or other translations by Mario.

A lots been going on in my life, and unfortunately I’ve not had the chance to keep updating the Essential Karate Blog and News site.

I feel bad about this because I have a strong passion for karate, kobujutsu and strength and conditioning arts.

Hopefully the handful of people still subscribing to this site will be happy to see the site starting back up.

Please feel free to contact me and give me any tips about what you’d like to see in this site.

Oh, and yes, the Applied Karate Show Podcast will be restarting soon. But please give me a bit of time to get that going to. There’ll be a bit of work before its ready.

Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi (guest in Episode 1 of The Applied Karate Show) has posted a short (3 minute) video introduction to the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, a style-agnostic society of karateka interested in researching the foundations of Okinawan karate.

I’ve been a member of the IRKRS for many years now, and can thoroughly recommend membership in the Society for all interested in learning more about the origins and foundations of the arts they study.

I am late to the party here, but issue number 2 of the fantastic Jissen magazine published by Iain Abernethy sensei (guest on Episode 9 of the Applied Karate Show podcast) is now available for download.

Issue 2 contains a variety of great reading for the martial artist interested in the pragmatic aspects of their arts, penned by a range of wonderful authors including Iain Abernethy, Lawrence Kane, Kris Wilder (guest on episode 3 of the Applied Karate Show), John Titchen, Chris Denwood, Jamie Clubb, Dan Redmond and many more.

I highly recommend Jissen magazine, and as a free download, its got to represent the best value in martial arts media.

Thanks to the Goju-ryu Karate Training Log comes this link to a video on YouTube showing what happens to the hand during a breaking techinique.

A must see video for all who practice tameshiwari techniques.

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Founder of Shorinjiryu Shindo Budo Kwai Karate, Kyoshi Michel Laurin, has completed a new action movie in which he is starring.  The below is the theatrical trailer for the movie, The Ninong.

Kaicho Watanabe of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate is also making a cameo appearance in the movie.

I am not sure of any other details at this time, but will post when I hear of the release dates, etc.

Eiku kata / bunkai

One of the unique weapons of Okinawan kobudo is the eku or kai (oar).

Here is one interesting form, with a first level application very evident from the performance.

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Mario McKenna Sensei (guest on Episode 12 of The Applied Karate Show) has posted a wonderful post about Dirty Feet in the Dojo, which extends to the quest for purity in karatedo.

In this post, Mario talks about his experiences in Japan (and Canada) of removing shoes before entering the dojo, as well as homes, temples, etc.  He gives a great summary of one of the excellent reasons for removing shoes

… a dojo is a place for studying not simply combative technique, but for training in a way of life. The “do” of “Karatedo” implies a path for us to follow and comes with a host of traditions and behaviours that we must observe. For that reason it requires a level of purity of intent both mentally and physically. This tradition of removing our shoes reminds us of the path we pursue, as does the simple white dogi (training uniform)

I know many contemporary karateka who follow some of the traditions reservedly, and others that avoid them.  They don’t like to wear a gi, and remove many of the traditions of the dojo.  But the dojo is an important environment for the cultivation of your karate mind, body and technique (shin-gi-tai), and the dojo traditions, although not the only way, are an excellent way to help the process.

Mario sensei’s insight into Okinawan karate and kobudo, and the Japanese way of life are wonderful.  You should subscribe to his blog!

Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Blog: Dosoku – Dirty Feet.

Fast becoming one of my favourite martial arts authors is Sensei Kris Wilder, author of Lessons from the Dojo Floor and The Way of Sanchin Kata, co-author with Lawrence Kane of The Way of Kata, and guest on Episode 004 of The Applied Karate Show podcast.

Together with Lawrence Kane, Kris has released a fascinating book called The Way to Black Belt, a fascinating exploration of what it takes to become a black belt, looking at all aspects of mind, body and spirit.  The book covers a huge variety of facets of martial training to reach the level of black belt, including dojo training and all the extra curricular development activities.

In their exploration, Messrs Kane and Wilder have shown that karate, pursued fully, is a total exploration of mind, body and spirit, and that attitude and mindset are the vital foundations for true achievement.

I highly recommend the book, and not just because they authors were kind enough to give a mention and link to The Applied Karate Show podcast.

Buy The Way to Black Belt at Amazon.com.