Karate Katas of Wadoryu - An Introduction to Karate

My 7 year old son is learning karate and we needed a back up kata book so that we could help him with his kata at home. We have found this book easy to use and it gives clear pictures for each kata. My son has just passed his 3rd Kyu and this helped with his technique for Kushanku and the Pinan series. You need to be taught kata by your sensei, but this is good to back up your knowledge and check details at home.

Strongly Recommended (3/4 people found this helpful)

Like Otsuka's expensive, often hard to find WADO RYU KARATE, this book is clearly written or translated by someone who is not a native English speaker. The descriptions of the moves are not very detailed and the photos omit important transitional movements in the Kata. Having said that, All-in-all, I strongly recommend this book as a good reference to for all Wado students.

Wado is one of the largest Karate systems in the world, but almost nothing is written about it. I personally heard a very high ranking Wado instructor criticize Ohgami's book, saying that he "had no right" to publish it and that "his kata was very bad". It is this attitude of ego and political infighting in the system that has robbed a generation of all but a handful of books on Wado Ryu Karate.

This book could be A LOT better, but the simple fact is, it is one of the best references in existence at this time.

I had the opportunity to see a rough draft PDF file of Mark Edward Cody's new book WADO RYU KARATE JUJUTSU which is soon to be in publication. There is no comparison between this and Ohgami's book, Otsuka's book or anything currently in print on the system.

I have read Cody's other two books as well as gleaning over the new WADO RYU KARATE/JUJUTSU book and I think this work will eventually become the primary Wado reference book. Cody is an excellent writer, and unlike Ogami, English is his first language.

Ohgami's book, like that of Otsuka, does not contain all 17 Kata normally taught in the system. Cody's book covers al 17 forms with well illustrated, HIGHLY detailed descriptions. Otsuka and Ohgami are often unclear on the direction of movement and the degree to which the body is turned. Cody is to the best of my knowledge the first martial arts writer to ever use compass points to chart the direction of movement. His system of explanation leaves no room for confusion.

Ogami's book says almost nothing about the origins of Wado or of the Kata it teaches. Cody's work covers these topics in great detail.

Unlike Otsuka and Cody's books, Ogami says nothing about the philosophy of Wado Ryu. I find this a major shortcoming, because one of the things that makes this system what it is is the philosophy behind the technique. Otsuka's WADO RYU touches on his personal philosophy behind the system, but I think Cody's explanations will be easier for Western readers to relate to.

Despite this book's shortcomings, I would encourage every student of Wado to read it. The only way we are ever going to get more books on this system is to support those writers brave enough to face the criticism of the people who think that no one but themselves have a right to teach the system.

Good for beginners. (0/0 people found this helpful)

This book gives a clear instructions and good b&w photographs of katas practised in the wado style. It is a good book for learning technique.
However if you are to perform the katas "live" or "with spirit" you have got to look at Ian Abernethys books and DVDs. You will find the applications to the movements there or the bunkai-jutsu as it is known.
Be warned, what is in contained in the kata are brutal fighting techniques and these might make you question "The Way".

OK Book (1/3 people found this helpful)

I am not a Wado man myself but bought it as a gift for someone who is. I think this is not a bad book on the basics of each Kata. I think it is intended as a basic companion to classes rather than as an advanced manual.

hhmmmm...... (2/13 people found this helpful)

This is just another kata step by step book with no explanations for the movements. Where are the applications for the katas? where are the explanations for the sequences? the reasons they are peiced together in the way that they are? Why present so many kata without a decent explanation of just one? don`t waste your money, this book is an empty shell.

Karate Katas of Wadoryu - An Introduction to Karate

Shingo Ohgami

Reader Reviews:

Good Guide (0/0 people found this helpful)

Strongly Recommended (3/4 people found this helpful)

Good for beginners. (0/0 people found this helpful)

OK Book (1/3 people found this helpful)

hhmmmm...... (2/13 people found this helpful)

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