Okinawan Kobudo: The History, Tools, and Techniques of the Ancient Martial Art
Product ID: 26950152
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Japanโs Ryukyu archipelago was the birthplace of two methods of self-defense now practiced worldwide: Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu Kobujutsu, known as Okinawan Kobudo. Kobudo is the study of weapons adapted from the tools of farming and fishing. Okinawan Kobudo reveals, for the first time through print and photographs, the rich history and techniques of this most prestigious martial art known worldwide as Matayoshi. Andrea Guarelli traces the history of Matayoshi Kobudo, explores the background of each weapon, and demonstrates the form and technique of practice through rare photos, many of which the author took while a student of Shinpo Matayoshi Sensei (1921ย1997). Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, is proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sportsยbooks about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. In addition to books on popular team sports, we also publish books for a wide variety of athletes and sports enthusiasts, including books on running, cycling, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, martial arts, golf, camping, hiking, aviation, boating, and so much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home. Review: History AND a Photographic Treatment of Each Weapon, An Eku Kata & Bunkai! - Whether you practice or simply appreciate the fierce grace of true Matayoshi Kobudo, you will enjoy this book. Sensei Guarelli provides a concise history, describes every weapon in this extensive fighting system, and then shares detailed photos of a full Kata - for eku - (oar) PLUS the bunkai/application versus bo. Martial artists will notice the form that is unique to Matayoshi style Kobudo: the turn of the hips, the fluidity of the shoulders - all designed to generate martial power in the strike. Dozens of photos have never been seen before, and were granted to Sensei Guarelli by Shinpo Matayoshi himself, and his family upon his death. Guarelli is Founder and Chairman of The International Matayoshi Kobudo Association. (...) He is one of the few Westerners to have trained with Shinpo Matayoshi for decades. This book is a martial arts bible. Review: Details are provided but it doesn't get bogged down in an extensive history that would be better served in a separate work - This is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Okinawan Kobudo or any practitioner of these arts. At first impression one is struck by the exceptional production value of the book. The pages are a heavy glossy stock which highlights the vast array of photos covering everything from historical photos of the Matayoshi family and other major figures in Okinawan Kobudo to training photos of the author. There are also many photos representing the many (18+) different weapons of the Okinawan arts. Sensei Guarelli begins by discussing the history of the Matayoshi system including their travels to China and the masters that they trained with both in China and Okinawa. This section is valuable for understanding how this Kobudo system was formed and where the various weapons and elements of the system came from. Details are provided but it doesn't get bogged down in an extensive history that would be better served in a separate work. A good portion of the book is spent covering each of the 18+ weapons in detail. This includes the origins of the weapon along with who trained the Matayoshi family in these weapons. The author also identifies the major kata that belong to each weapon and where some of these kata originated. I have never seen all of this information collected in one source.
| Best Sellers Rank | #494,218 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #160 in Boxing (Books) #325 in Sports Encyclopedias #414 in Sports Essays (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 86 Reviews |
K**I
History AND a Photographic Treatment of Each Weapon, An Eku Kata & Bunkai!
Whether you practice or simply appreciate the fierce grace of true Matayoshi Kobudo, you will enjoy this book. Sensei Guarelli provides a concise history, describes every weapon in this extensive fighting system, and then shares detailed photos of a full Kata - for eku - (oar) PLUS the bunkai/application versus bo. Martial artists will notice the form that is unique to Matayoshi style Kobudo: the turn of the hips, the fluidity of the shoulders - all designed to generate martial power in the strike. Dozens of photos have never been seen before, and were granted to Sensei Guarelli by Shinpo Matayoshi himself, and his family upon his death. Guarelli is Founder and Chairman of The International Matayoshi Kobudo Association. (...) He is one of the few Westerners to have trained with Shinpo Matayoshi for decades. This book is a martial arts bible.
D**O
Details are provided but it doesn't get bogged down in an extensive history that would be better served in a separate work
This is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Okinawan Kobudo or any practitioner of these arts. At first impression one is struck by the exceptional production value of the book. The pages are a heavy glossy stock which highlights the vast array of photos covering everything from historical photos of the Matayoshi family and other major figures in Okinawan Kobudo to training photos of the author. There are also many photos representing the many (18+) different weapons of the Okinawan arts. Sensei Guarelli begins by discussing the history of the Matayoshi system including their travels to China and the masters that they trained with both in China and Okinawa. This section is valuable for understanding how this Kobudo system was formed and where the various weapons and elements of the system came from. Details are provided but it doesn't get bogged down in an extensive history that would be better served in a separate work. A good portion of the book is spent covering each of the 18+ weapons in detail. This includes the origins of the weapon along with who trained the Matayoshi family in these weapons. The author also identifies the major kata that belong to each weapon and where some of these kata originated. I have never seen all of this information collected in one source.
K**R
Beautiful and Informative
This is a wonderful and informative book. I bought it because I am studying Kobujutsu and wanted to learn an Eku kata, during my research I found this book and am so glad I bought it. It is a beautiful book with quality thick pages and wonderful full color photos, a full Eku kata with bunkai, and history. I highly recommend it and am very glad I bought it.
T**1
disappointing. Great overview, little detail
The book is a good high level overview of Matayoshi Kobudo, but is lacks detail. There is some good history, very little technique. In no way would I call this a "Complete Martial Arts Handbook". It's a light reference guide.
M**A
Best book on Matayoshi Kobudo!!!!
A great book on Okinawan Kobudo. Contains a detailed history of the Matayoshi kobudo style and all the weapons taught in this art. The photos are fantastic! I'm a 25 year student of this art and I think this is the best book written on it. The layout and design of the book is beautiful. Highly recommend!
M**.
Well organized with good content
The book is well organized with good content. I have not completed reading it but from what I have read I believe it to be an assett to any martial artist library.
G**3
Good book for history
Good book for history, if you want a book with kata's go somewhere else. It has kata names from the originators but only one step by step for the Orr.
A**S
Disappointed
I was seriously disappointed in this book. If you're interested in the history of Matayoshi Kobudo, you might get what you want. Lots of names and "family stories"--little to no documentation. If you're looking for the background of specific weapons, the pickings are slim--Wikipedia will probably give you more. If you're looking for techniques, forget it. There is one long oar kata shown--lots of posed pictures that I found hard to follow. The description of most of the weapons amounted to a list of names of the katas in current use by the ryu and a notation to the effect that the weapon could be used "lots of different ways." I would not recommend this book for the average martial artist.
N**D
Very complete
A real nice book, really complete, interesting and well stuffed with informations. Even the objet in itself is really great, with a nice glazed paper and colors. Also, you have the name of every arts (Nunchaku, bo, tonfa, etc.) in kanji next to the english name. I highly recommend this if your interested in kobudo and the Matayoshi method.
A**R
Great foe Eku/Oar
Great book, especially for those who are looking for Eku/Oar kata
S**I
Awesome book. Must for every Matayoshi ryu Kobudoka
Awesome book. Must for every Matayoshi ryu Kobudoka. Many rare historic photos. Explained Matayoshi sensei's lineage in great detail. One of the finest book I had in my library......
Fantastisk bog med meget flotte illustrationer. Og interessante historiske fakta. . Til en meget fornuftig pris for sรฅ flot en bog.
D**B
Exceeded my expectations
In addition to be a well written book on the subject of Matayosho Kobudo, the quality and design of the book is outstanding. Thick, glossy pages with clear illustrations and photographs. Quality-wise, I haven't seen a paperback book of this quality in a long time. Recommended.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago