Vash
03-29-2004, 05:29 PM
Go now and buy Zen Shaolin Karate. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0804819181/qid=1080605941/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-2695986-3371116?v=glance&s=books) Indeed, the title sounds like a Shaolin Do style, but it ain't. Well, the title seems to be the name of the author's personal style, but that's an aside. This book is one of the best books on karate. Ever. Period. End of quotation.
With the exception of the first 79 pages, this book is nigh perfect.
Yeah, it has the obligatory "history of crotty" thing going on, and a few other things besides, but that's where the campy stuff ends.
Since the author was a student primarily of Japanese-derivitives of the Okinawan traditions, I figured this was gonna be a Shotokan-esque study of Sanchin and Naifanchi kata. Uh uh. This book covers in depth what could be rather close to the original performance of the solo forms, plus hints at the numerous applications contained within. When I say hits, don't think of it as a page or two devoted to possible applications. The applications fill the majority of the book. but, it is quite obvious that so much more can be done. The "how-to" equation of application extraction is presented here. Friggin awesome.
Oh, yes, on another thread, someone mentioned that OMA lacked "Silk Reeling." Well, your @$$ just got owned. There is a decently-sized section devoted to the tradition and applications of push hands within OMA. Again, I say unto thee, you got 0wn3d.
So, aside from the admitted campiness of the name repeated so often in the book, Zen Shaolin karate (why didn't the dude use Chan? he's got quite a bit of experience in Kung Fu, as well), and a few lines espousing the greatness of Zen and it's application to brawling, I give this book 4.9 Vash points. For those keeping track, every Vash point is equal to one star. And I use a five-point scale.
Go out, all ye who've practied southern kung fu, OMA, or even the OMA-derived JMA, and get this tome. If you don't, your life will have been meaningless.
But be careful; touching the pages made the tips of my fingers dry, like an old book you pick up out of the closet.
Hard, External-Only Karate Ideas Just Got Their @$$es 0WN3D!!!
With the exception of the first 79 pages, this book is nigh perfect.
Yeah, it has the obligatory "history of crotty" thing going on, and a few other things besides, but that's where the campy stuff ends.
Since the author was a student primarily of Japanese-derivitives of the Okinawan traditions, I figured this was gonna be a Shotokan-esque study of Sanchin and Naifanchi kata. Uh uh. This book covers in depth what could be rather close to the original performance of the solo forms, plus hints at the numerous applications contained within. When I say hits, don't think of it as a page or two devoted to possible applications. The applications fill the majority of the book. but, it is quite obvious that so much more can be done. The "how-to" equation of application extraction is presented here. Friggin awesome.
Oh, yes, on another thread, someone mentioned that OMA lacked "Silk Reeling." Well, your @$$ just got owned. There is a decently-sized section devoted to the tradition and applications of push hands within OMA. Again, I say unto thee, you got 0wn3d.
So, aside from the admitted campiness of the name repeated so often in the book, Zen Shaolin karate (why didn't the dude use Chan? he's got quite a bit of experience in Kung Fu, as well), and a few lines espousing the greatness of Zen and it's application to brawling, I give this book 4.9 Vash points. For those keeping track, every Vash point is equal to one star. And I use a five-point scale.
Go out, all ye who've practied southern kung fu, OMA, or even the OMA-derived JMA, and get this tome. If you don't, your life will have been meaningless.
But be careful; touching the pages made the tips of my fingers dry, like an old book you pick up out of the closet.
Hard, External-Only Karate Ideas Just Got Their @$$es 0WN3D!!!