Best Karate Volume 8: Gankaku, Jion (Best Karate, 8)

This is a beautifully produced book that covers the kata Gankaku and Jion. The photographs are excellent and as book for learning a kata this is one of the most uesful I've come across. The extra diagrams showing the foot movements are also very good. There is also a nice introduction and useful information on the performance of the kata (including timing). The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars from me is the bunkai, which is either defences against standard karate attacks or bo type weapons, which is fine, but largely irrelevant from a realistic self-defence point of view.

This helps me for working through at home what I have been working on in the dojo. Excellent diagrams and descriptions.

good one

If you're serious about karate and want one of The Best reference manuals on kata & kumite techniques for Shotokan Karate, then you really can't go wrong with Grand Master Sensei Nakayama.You may find slight variations and differences in the odd occasional technique in some of the kata so be aware and make sure you remember your association's style.The photos are very comprehensive. Each move is accompanied by several photos showing movements right through the sequence of each pose. The best part of these books is the use of overhead photos for each pose, which I found to be a great help in dealing with stances & foot & hand placement & body posture.Accompanying the photos for each move are FULL Japanese and English descriptions. Also there is a glossary at the back.As always - these books are a great guide but can't replace personal instruction & tuition in a dojo.

Thank you

Good