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Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins | 
 enlarge | Author: Bruce D. Clayton
Publisher: Black Belt Communications
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $7.62
You Save: $9.33 (55%)
New (29) Used (8) from $5.89
Avg. Customer Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 52200
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 329
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 0897501446
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8153
EAN: 9780897501446
ASIN: 0897501446
Publication Date: July 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New & Unread Book that May Have Slight Handling Wear From Bookstore Shelf. IN-STOCK Now For Immediate Secure Packaging & Delivery!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
Learn how the hard-style karate that became shotokan took shape in 19th century Okinawa as an embattled king with an unarmed force of bodyguards faced an armed invasion from overseas. In this new 328-page book, author Bruce D. Clayton, Ph.D., uses rare sketches, footnoted historical research, archival lithographs, period photographs and contemporary technique demonstrations to reveal shotokan's deadly intent and propose modern practical applications of such knowledge. Achieve a new level of theoretical understanding and fighting ability by learning Shotokan's Secret for yourself!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
 A "must have" for every Shotokan practitioner June 16, 2008
I have been involved in Shotokan Karate for 46 years. I have taught thousands of students, and because I am a voracious reader and student, would have told you I knew a great deal about Shotokan Karate. This book proved me wrong. Oh sure, I knew the stories we are all told, but those stories are just passed along as gospel from one person to another. Author Bruce Clayton did the research himself, even teaching himself to read the Japanese characters.
This book will open your mind in a way in which NO KARATE BOOK ANYWHERE can. You think you know the origin of your art? Guess again! You think you know the applications of your Kata? Wrong again! You think you know the place of Gichin Funakoshi to your art. Wait until you read the truth!
Students of Shotokan are used to participating in NO CONTACT tournaments. We are told that Karate is too dangerous to allow hitting. In fact the rules of a match say that if you gain one full point, you win, because that one point would have killed an opponent. Like me, I'll bet you laughed at that idea. Wait until you read this book before you laugh again!!
This book belongs in the collection of any serious student of Shotokan Karate, and since Shotokan is the source of so many other styles, I can say beyond a doubt that practitioners of any style of karate will love this book.
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough. By all means buy this book!
 Service so bad it didn't exist January 12, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The money, once again, was taken from my bank account for payment, but the book was never delivered. Regardless of my efforts, there seems to be no willing effort to work with me on returning my money or sending me the book.
Poorly researchered amateur effort August 10, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
This author of this book admittedly rented or bought a number of videos on Okinawa karate, supposedly watched the videos and then wrote a book based on his limited experience in Shotokan ryu, a Japanese off-shoot of the original Okinawan arts. The author make some fairly outrageous claims that he attempts to pass off as historically correct without one shred of primary research or evidence. It is outrageous that a publishing house would even bother putting this diatribe in print.
Readers interested in Shotokan should immerse themselves in Harry Cook's book, The History of Shotokan. For more information on what Shotokan is missing as a martial art, I highly suggest the Gennosuke Higaki book: Hidden Karate, the true bunkai for the Heian Katas and Naihanchi.
The Best Book on the roots & history Shotokan Karate & More! July 22, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Best Book on the Origins & History Shotokan Karate & More!
A radical book yes, but it's not controversial OR contradictory at all IMHO. Easy to read & packed full of information about the true origins & history of Shotokan & budo, not just the normal couple of paragraphs that you get in most books on the subject.
I agree wholeheartedly with all the other "POSITIVE" reviews written here below, as for the negative one about "serious injury", the only serious injury to anyone following the many applications (bunkai) described in here would be to the opponent - and you don't have to change the moves in the kata to fit the bunkai (Oyo Bunkai). See Injury-free Karate by Paul Perry.
If you're a serious student of Shotokan Karate (or any of its derivatives or styles) then you ought to read this one FIRST, it'll save you a lot of money. It really is a breath of fresh air compared to the myriad of humdrum copycat books on karate.
If you're looking for a broader & deeper history of karate (& Martial Arts) in general then also look at "Okinawan Karate" by Mark Bishop.
Shotokan Secrets April 2, 2007
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
Probably the best book I've read as far as the true history of not only of the Shotokan style but karate itself. Very detail in the history and the applications of the Shotokan style. I highly recomend this book to karate practioners.
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