Assortment of top titles. Discover top titles, podcasts, and more on Audible. Try 30 days free.
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Out of Print--Limited Availability.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Essence of Karate Hardcover – August 1, 2010

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 224 ratings

Gichin Funakoshi is a legendary figure and the founder of Shotokan karate, the most popular style of Japanese karate, with millions of practitioners worldwide. In The Essence of Karate, Funakoshi creates, in his own words, a narrative of modern karate. He explains the philosophical and spiritual underpinnings and includes memories of his own training, as well as recollections of other karate masters and the history of the martial art. He also discusses the importance of winning without fighting, and the reason why many great martial artists improve with age.

The preface has been contributed by Hirokazu Kanazawa, President of the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (and Funakoshi's disciple). He fondly writes of his memories of Gichin Funakoshi during his youth and what he learned from the master. In the afterword, the founder's great-nephew, Gisho Funakoshi, shares previously unknown personal anecdotes about his "Uncle Funakoshi."
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The father of modern karate reveals its fundamental essence in these philosophical and anecdotal writings.

About the Author

GICHIN FUNAKOSHI (1868-1957) was one of karate's great masters. Born in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, he began training in secret Okinawan martial arts as a child. In 1922, at the request of the Japanese government, he demonstrated the still-secret Okinawan arts of self-defense on the Japanese mainland, which led to karate's introduction to the rest of Japan, and subsequently, to the rest of the world. Funakoshi devoted the remainder of his life to this traditional martial art and wrote several classics on the subject.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kodansha USA; 1st edition (August 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 4770031181
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-4770031181
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.4 x 5.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 224 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Gichin Funakoshi
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

GICHIN FUNAKOSHI is world famous as one of Karate's great masters. Born in Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture, in 1868, he studied Karate-do from childhood and organized the first public demonstrations. He was trained in the Confucian classics and was a schoolteacher early in life. After training for decades under the foremost masters in Okinawa he was elected president of the Okinawa Association for the Spirit of Martial Arts. He was chosen to demonstrate Karate at the First National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo in 1922, which led to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest of Japan and subsequently to the rest of the world. Among his writings are Karate-do: My Way of Life, Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text, and Karate Jutsu: The Original Teachings of Gichin Funakoshi. Master Gichin Funakoshi died in April 1957.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
224 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and useful for karate knowledge. They describe it as an excellent, must-read book on the philosophy of karate and a great reference for all styles of karate.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and insightful. They describe it as a useful reference for students of martial arts.

"Good book" Read more

"...takes this art and applies it to their life this book is a great reference to get started and to see how the grandfather of shotokan karate mind and..." Read more

"This is another useful little book on Funakoshi's ideas and we should be greatful to the translators and publishers for keeping the price low...." Read more

"If you like martial arts then this book is essential for your library. Read and enjoy the roots of karate." Read more

11 customers mention "Karate knowledge"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an insightful treatise on karate philosophy. They say it's essential for all styles of karate and martial arts, and a great addition to your collection. The book includes interesting stories shared by Master Funakoshi.

"Great book on karate recommend it." Read more

"This book is great to add to your karate- do collection, for the individual who takes this art and applies it to their life this book is a great..." Read more

"Interesting stories shared by Funakochi" Read more

"...Read and enjoy the roots of karate." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Maximvs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Um clássico!
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 14, 2021
    Praticamente uma obrigação em toda biblioteca dos que seguem a arte das mãos vazias. Vemos nosso mestre muito perto neste livro, o que nos inspira a continuar em seu legado.
  • Trusted Reviewer - 100%
    5.0 out of 5 stars Master of Life!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2017
    Truly a remarkable read. The tales and stories of a true master. Be humbled as you read over and over the words of Master Gichin funakoshi, as much a master of life as he was martial arts.
  • Emma Manning
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition and fast delivery
    Reviewed in Australia on June 9, 2024
    Impressed with condition, packing and delivery.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Master Funakoshi; the philosophy of training.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2015
    A 'must' addition to your Master Funakoshi collection. You will want to seek out his other publications and know more about his life before and during Japan's militarist period which brought catastrophy to the country.
  • José Carlos Pinheiro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muito boa.
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 8, 2020
    Belo texto do autor, que é uma referencia no assunto.