Karata

A kata is much like a family jewel that has passed down through generations. It holds a significance that is difficult to decipher, and many dispute the meaning of every micro movement it contains.We are thrilled to present a two-volume book on this subject. If katas are learning tools that pass down knowledge of a valued art, then the authors included in this anthology can certainly facilitate the learning process for all interested in karate. Each author has excellent experience in the field, having studied directly under masters, often in Okinawa. In addition to their long years of physical participation in the school of hard knocks, their depth of scholarly research into the encompassing culture allows their writings to illuminate many aspects of kata practice that normally go unnoticed.In our quest to better understand the full significance of kata practice, we must take a serious look at why old masters formulated the routines. How can kata practice better our health and promise to hone our self-defense skills? Each chapter in this anthology deal with the principles that guide kata practice. Hopefully the reading will reveal some of the secrets to improve techniques. As with other martial traditions, some insights cannot be shared through written word. Like good teachers, may the chapters here inspire you to look deeper into kata practice.

John J. Donohue, Ph.D., a longtime practitioner of Japanese martial arts, Dr. Donohue’s professional background includes a Ph.D. in anthropology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In addition to academic articles and books dealing with martial culture, John is a novelist. His fictional works have a strong thread of martial culture woven into the themes. Giles Hopkins, M.A., a teacher of English and history, received a B.A. degree in English literature from the State University of New York and an M.A. degree in history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has been training in the martial arts since 1973 and holds sixth dan rankings and a teacher’s certificate in Okinawan Goju-Ryu and Matayoshi kobudo. His teacher is Kimo Wall, seventh dan and president of Kodokan, in the lineage of Higa Seiko and Matayoshi Shinpo. Marvin Labbate is an eighth dan black belt in Okinawa Goju-Ryu, fifth dan in Okinawan Ryukonkai kobudo, and a certified Yang taijiquan instructor. He has studied karate for over thirty-five years and is the international representative for the Okinawan Seibukai Association under President Nakasone Kinei, tenth degree. Mr. Labbate is the director of CNY Karate (www.cnykarate.com), founded in 1963, which is the oldest karate school in upstate New York. Robert Toth has been training in the martial arts for over thirty years. His sensei was the late Dr. Richard Kim, tenth dan. Bob received a teaching grade of fourth dan black belt from Dr. Kim. After Dr. Kim’s passing, Bob became a student by Yagi Meitatsu, tenth dan, of Okinawa, Japan. He recently graded in Okinawa to fifth dan with Sensei Yagi and the International Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu Karate-Do Association. Sensei Toth is a published author of the martial arts, as well as an international teacher, lecturer, and tournament judge. Bob teaches at the St. Catharines Martial Arts Centre in Canada.