We have put together a list of books which we have read and used ourselves as a training aid. All of them are available from Amazon.co.uk – just click the image to take you directly to the Amazon.co.uk checkout.
If you prefer to buy from a high street bookshop, Foyles on Charing Cross Road and Waterstones Piccadilly offer a very good selection.
Happy reading!
Best Karate series & Dynamic Karate
This series of books by Masatoshi Nakayama is a fantastic aid to your training. You will find them a useful reference as you progress through the different grades. Dynamic Karate takes all of the fundamentals and brings them together in one big book. All books highlight common mistakes, offer advice on correct form and present training exercises. It has been many years since these books were first published and JKA karate has evolved since that time. However, that is not to underestimate the value of this series, particularly as an outline guide used to supplement your regular training.
Shotokan Karate
These books by Enoeda Keinosuke Sensei, offer some nice large pictures of some of the basic positions and kata. A number of the photographs feature Ohta Yoshinobu Sensei when he was a little bit younger. These books demonstrate stances and the end points of positions very well.
Idiot’s Guide to Karate
This book has a rather unflattering title but is a very accessible reference for the beginner. It also contains useful information for those who have been training for much longer. Particularly interesting parts of the book include sections on ettiquette and a list of things to consider when you are first looking to start karate.
My Way of Life
An autobiography by Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957), offering an insight into the life of the JKA’s ‘Supreme Master’ and ‘Father of Modern Day Karate’.
Practical Karate
This follow-up series to Best Karate shows how your karate training can be adapted to different self-defence situations. The early 1963 fashions on display in the book add a sense of amusement or nostalgia – depending on your age!
