Shotokan Mysteries 1/4y.Su, Ia: The Hidden Answers to the Secrets of Shotokan Karate Paperback – March 28, 2013

When I knew about this book I got excited and needed to buy it, due to the very good impression from the excellent Shotokan Myths written previously by the same author. And after reading Shotokan Mysteries my expectations were fully satisfied, or even exceeded.There is a high chance that this book will completely change the way you see karate -- for the better. If you have a critical mind and have already dedicated a few years studying and thinking of karate, you've probably thought this martial art would have ideas or techniques that didn't seem to make sense, or that seemed doubtful or unrealistic. In many of those instances your suspicions could be right, because over time many misconceptions have been widely transmitted in shotokan (and in karate in general) -- and this book brings light over these misconceptions. You will see how karate is indeed a highly refined and effective martial art, no matter if some schools don't show all of its glory.The sections about the changes made by Funakoshi in his karate, the bunkai for the Heian kata series and the disparity between kata and kumite are all really eye-opener. Later, the author goes with subtle but essential aspects of karate biomechanics, discussing the role of circular movement in karate and the use of gravity (both subjects most practitioners and even instructors don't really have a grasp with -- unfortunately). The chapters telling his experience with great karate masters (including Tetsuhiko Asai), the history of shotokan and about the instructors sent to teach overseas, and Shu Ha Ri are instructive and very inspiring. I haven't mentioned all subjects present in the book, but it's safe to say every chapter has an invaluable content.There are many books that teach the basics of karate -- the kind of stuff you will probably find everywhere. In Shotokan Mysteries Kousaku Yokota goes far beyond the surface and explains the whys and the refined aspects of how. In short, this is (along with the previous work Shotokan Myths) is an excellent book that should be read by every martial artist, and is a complete must to shotokan practitioners and specially to instructors.

Just finished reading the third book of Shihan Kousaku Yokota "SHOTOKAN MYSTERIES"!!! I really enjoyed reading it and once again the book offers real karate knowledge to the reader. Furthermore, it goes deep into matters like, the origin of kata, why the founder of modern karate Gichin Funakoshi reversed and brought first Heian Shodan kata, bunkai mysteries, the desirable unstable balance , the mystery of the karate master, Shuhari and so on. The book, like the other two that I have read, covers and reveals many unknown facts about karate for the first time. In the book the reader will find many facts not told anywhere else! Very touching, however, is Shihan Yokota's description about his moments with the legendary Tetsuhiko Asai before the latter passed away. He was not only a karate genius, knowing many other martial arts, but also a true last samurai and karate warrior!!! We in ASAI, but also the rest of the karate world, are lucky to be able to receive some of the Asai legacy through his direct student Shihan Yokota Kousaku, his teachings and his books. Thank you Shihan Yokota Kousaku. Cannot wait for your next book. Oss.

Shihan Yokota has done it again, but this time even better! His new book, Shotokan Mysteries, is a welcome sequel to Shotokan Myths, and provides a wealth of information to illuminate the deepest recesses of Shotokan karate. This is not a book aimed at beginners, but even they will get something from its pages. Every Shotokan karate-ka should own these two books.Shihan Yokota examines the changes and additions to karate and how it is practiced as developed by Gichin Funakoshi. Not only does Shihan Yokota bring these to our attention, but he explains how and why these changes were made. Now, think about yoko geri keage, kokutsu dachi and kiai. There is much you probably did not know about these techniques (I know I did not, and I have over 50 years practicing Shotokan) and why the changes were made.There is a lot of information about kata that I'll bet you didn't know either, things you NEED to know. There is a whole chapter about the Heian kata(s). A chapter on mikazuki geri I found to be particularly interesting. Personally, I have always liked mikazuki geri and found it intriguing as a block. I had thought it was a relatively new technique. I was wrong.Kata vs. kumite? Shihan Yokota tells you things you have never thought of. Straight and circular techniques? This was an eye-opener for me and the author gives you a lot to consider.The most interesting chapters to me deal with balance and gravity. You will learn a lot here.Oh, there is more, much more, but I'll let you discover it for yourself. I recommend this book and its predecessor with no reservations.

It is encouraging to see more and more Shotokan experts realizing that the changes made in Japan to the original Okinawan kata have taken them farther and farther away from realistic applications. Master Yokota has done some serious soul-searching and research to see behind the smoke screen that so many JKA instructors have put up to hide the fact that, while elegant at kata, powerful, and fierce fighters, they have lost the original ideas behind the kata. Unfortunately, to an extent, Master Yokota seems to be still trying to pound workable bunkai (a square peg) into radically transformed and stylized kata (a round hole). He has some excellent ideas and I wish him the best as he keeps wrestling with the contradictions introduced by the founding fathers of his style. This book is well worth reading to understand how a senior practitioner became disenchanted with the non-answers he received for so many years and what he has tried to do about it. Bravo.

Shihan Kousaka Youkota, may I congratulate you on once again on producing such an excellent book. From the beginning to the end it is crammed with honest answers to many questions that I know many would shy from. The attention to detail on the true history of karate from its true china hand in Okinawa, the different ways of progressing with technique and kata, to even suggesting to go try different styles !!!!! I really could go on and on about the content of this book but I think it is best that katate students everywhere should buy it and digest the thoughts and transcripts that the author has very cleverly put over.All and all a definite must for any serious karateka who wants to go one step further on their personal journey of karate do.Colin Jolly student of Shito Ryu. UK

Segundo livro que leio dessa sequência. Gostei bastante de ambos. Aborda temas não muito convencionais nos treinamentos, propõe reflexões. Um livro que pode auxiliar bastante na evolução de um praticante sério de Shotokan.

Very interesting information. I have been teaching karate for over thirty years, and there were still many new ideas to explore.

Sehr gutes Buch - viel Hintergrundwissen für Shotokaner mit klasse Artikel zu ganz unterschiedlichen Themen, die man so heute nicht mehr kennt.

Some interesting points made by the author. Not sure I agree with a lot of his theories but that is only my opinion. There is value to this book if you are a Shotokan practitioner and you are thinking your karate is a bit too " Japanese". it could be a good starting point to discover more realistic bunkai for your kata but further study will be required.