Dynamic Karate by Masatoshi Nakayama

Dynamic Karate (First Paperback Edition, 1986 Karate Classic)

The Japan Karate Association's Chief Instructor on Blocks, Punches and Kicks, in Strobe-Flash Photographic Sequences

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Dynamic Karate: Instruction by the Master
• Author: Masatoshi Nakayama
• Editor: Herman Kauz (translator)
• Publisher: Kodansha International, Tokyo, New York, London
• Publication Date: 1986
• ISBN-13: 9780870117886
• Edition Details: First Paperback Edition, 1986 (the book first appeared in 1966). Translated by Herman Kauz.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated perfect-bound card wrappers, printed in orange and black, with a photograph of the author to the front and a Japanese calligraphy design to the back. Yellow-orange spine with clear lettering.
• Physical Format: Large softcover (trade paperback), 308 pages. Profusely illustrated with photographic sequences and a glossary of Japanese karate terms with pronunciation guide.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: The orange and black printed wrappers are clean and bright. There is slight bumping and wear to the corners and fore-edge, and the front cover shows a slight curl along the top edge. The yellow-orange spine is clearly lettered. Light toning to the edges of the page block.
• Interior: The text block is clean with light edge toning, and the binding is tight. There is one small brown speck on a page bearing a kicking photograph, near the lower right, which is minor. The photographic sequences are clean and clear. No writing, stamps or ex-library marks.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Dynamic Karate: Instruction by the Master is a detailed instructional manual by Masatoshi Nakayama, chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association. It sets out the fundamentals and finer points of blocks, punches and kicks, and shows how blocks may be combined with counterattacks. The English text was translated by Herman Kauz.

The book is best known for its photographic sequences, made with stroboscopic flash at a speed of 1/10,000 of a second, which break each technique into its component movements. A glossary of Japanese karate terms with a pronunciation guide supports the instruction. This is the first paperback edition of 1986, issued by Kodansha International; the work first appeared in hardback in 1966.

A substantial, well-illustrated volume, it is a worthwhile copy for students and collectors of Shotokan karate and of the literature of the martial arts.

Author Profile: Masatoshi Nakayama

Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987) was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture and became one of the foremost masters of Shotokan karate, holding the rank of 10th dan. He helped establish the Japan Karate Association in 1949 and served as its chief instructor.

His other works include the eleven-volume Best Karate series and the co-authored Practical Karate volumes, which began appearing in 1963. His students included Keigo Abe and Tetsuhiko Asai.

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