| Learning Karate through books sounds a bit, I'd say | | | | books or also open hand techniques or even more |
| at least "strange" doesn't it? | | | | special two or one finger techniques like Ippon Ken). |
| I guess at least for beginners. After tens of years of | | | | Books in this section tend to either come as several |
| practicing Karate like I did, it doesn't sound strange at | | | | volumes or as a single comprehensive book. |
| all anymore. Here's why: | | | | Karate Kata Books |
| Humans tend to learn quicker and easier when they | | | | Books in this section are highly likely to be style |
| are either very curios about a topic or if the brain is | | | | specific. The reason is that different styles tend to |
| able to 'connect dots'. This means that when the | | | | either have completely different Katas or at least |
| newly learned content fits in already learned material | | | | different names for the same Kata (often the case if |
| the brain is able to associate it with an existing | | | | you compare Shito-Ryu and Shotokan Katas). |
| context and hence it's easier for the brain to retain | | | | Kumite Karate Books |
| the new material. And that's exactly what books | | | | Book on Karate Kumite can be style specific or |
| offer: Background information and additional material | | | | completely style agnostic. Usually pictures will show |
| to already existing knowledge. | | | | different fighting stances and positions of hands and |
| Hence Karate books are a great way to enhance | | | | movements, but in a style agnostic book it merely |
| your understanding of Karate and to learn quicker | | | | reflects the fighters liking. |
| because you understand and associate newly learned | | | | Strategy Books |
| material with an already existing knowledge-context. | | | | Strategy books are most likely Karate style agnostic. |
| I tend to divide Karate books into the following | | | | Those books usually teach about how to behave in |
| categories: | | | | fighting situations or how to behave in a Karate |
| - Kihon | | | | competition. |
| - Kata | | | | Karate History Books |
| - Kumite | | | | Books in this category cover the history and early |
| - Strategy | | | | developments and all the Karate masters involved in |
| - History | | | | the development. Depending on which style they |
| - Dictionaries | | | | cover and how far they go back in time they most |
| Karate techniques can be covered in Kata, Kumite or | | | | likely will cover associated martial arts as well like e.g. |
| Kihon books if they are style specific. Advanced | | | | Kung-Fu. |
| techniques can also be covered in general Kumite or | | | | Karate Dictionaries |
| (Fighting) Strategy books which are also either style | | | | Dictionaries are important to understand the |
| specific or Karate style agnostic. | | | | Japanese terms in your own native language. |
| What to Expect of Books in those Categories | | | | Unfortunately there are good and bad books out |
| Here's quick rundown on what to expect if you are | | | | there. Hence I recommend, you buy your books off |
| looking for Karate books in a specific section. | | | | a web-site that is dedicated to Karate books, as |
| Kihon Karate Books | | | | opposed to Amazon where simply every book will be |
| Books in this section focus on basics. The emphasis is | | | | sold. Look out for web-sites that are run by people |
| on the correct stances and techniques. Correct | | | | who understand and practice Karate themselves. |
| techniques include punches (usually fist in beginner | | | | That will save you a lot of time and money. |