Shotokan Myths: The Forbidden Answers to the Mysteries of Shotokan Karate

Finally, a book by a Japanese karate expert who had the courage to expose the flaws in thinking when it comes to Shotokan karate. May be it is just a cultural or spiritual factor, but few karate masters will challenge the traditional myths when it comes to karate. However, Kousaku Yokota, Sensei at least treads lightly (too lightly as far as I am concerned, on some of the sacred cows of Shotokan karate.This excellent book questions numerous dogmas and will make all serious karate practitioners think a little more deeply about the myths and misconceptions of karate. The thirteen chapters cover the basic concepts of kime, Hikite, which is the opposite hand pulling back when punching etc, the snap back in mae geri, using the Makiwara, silent Kiai, JKA Bunkai, the myth of kata beginning and ending with blocks, the way early JKA created the ancient katas so they all would end at the original starting point, The Tekki kata (two parts), Hangetsu kata, Bujutsu or Budo and the contradiction in "Karate ni sente nashi" and "Sente hissho."Though I agree with the vast majority of material presented in this volume, I still see that the subject of kata, which the author deals with too briefly in this book, is filled with mystical and unscientific theories concerning the "bunkai" myths. It may be because the author was born and raised in a culture which worships martial art katas as the way to enlightenment. It is not that I hate kata, because I practice about thirty karate kata every single day, plus ten Kenjutsu katas. It is just that I have a completely different opinion as to why the ancient masters designed the katas. The view that there are secret and hidden meanings and moves in kata is pure mystical speculation.In conclusion, this is a book for all serious Shotokan karate students and instructors. I hope more masters will begin to question the many dogmas in our beloved art.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Manual, Combat Karate for the street)