Education is a big part of your martial art studies. As you strive for self-improvement you should also increase your overall knowledge of traditional martial arts to become a well-rounded karateka. Below are the books deemed as Recommended Reading for the Dan Grades. While Kyu Grades are also invited to read from this list, it’s advised that they build a solid foundation by sticking with the Required Reading List. With each Rank comes more responsibility which in turn requires more education. The Recommended Reading List is for those who strive to learn as much as possible. This list is by no means complete but will give the serious student plenty of knowledge to feed the fire.
Grade | Book | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Shodan | A Primer Of Kuniba-Ha Karate-Do: The Style Of Shogo Kuniba By Shihan James Herndon | A great reference manual of Shogo Kuniba's Karate, researched in depth by Shihan James Herndon. | |
Nidan | Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles & Secret Techniques By Mark Bishop | A great reference manual of Okinawan Martial Art styles and teachers researched in depth by Mark Bishop. | |
Optional | The History Of Karate By Morio Higaonna | A Historial account of the birth of modern karate by Goju Master, Morio Higaonna. | |
Optional | Conversations With The Master – (Book Or Video) Masatoshi Nakayama | An in depth interview with Masatoshi Nakayama before his death. | |
Optional | Shotokan Karate: A Precise History By Harry Cook | A great reference manual of the origins of Karate, researched in depth by Harry Cook. | |
Optional | The Kyokushin Way: Mas Oyama’s Karate Philosophy By Masutatsu Oyama | An autobiography from the legend Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate. |