Karate-Do: My Way of Life Paperback – 1 Feb. 2013

This book is short but content rich. In it Funakoshi tells the story of his early life, of his beginning to study Karate and then his pursuit to expand it as an art.Funakoshis style is very simple and clear, understated and humble, but none the less full of meaning. His personality oozes through each paragraph.He provides perspectives on karate and the way he sees is the correct approach to the art. He relates many stories about his studies, including a moment of grandeur when he stands on his house roof in a typhoon or when his master stares down a bunch of thugs rather than electing to fight them.It is clear Funakoshi took great pride in how his students perpetuated the art he developed, and he also relates some more emotional moments; such as financial poverty and visiting a Japanese war memorial with the commandant of the US air base it is within. Not quite the political or world figure Jigoro Kano was he none the less made a profound contribution to the world in developing his Ryu of karate and this book illustrates that journey.A good read for anyone interested in karate philosophy, how Shotokan karate was developed, and in the life of Gichin Funakoshi.

A must for any Shotokan Karate practitioner, or those with a interest in Okinawan and Japanese Karate. It is a short read where Master Gichin Funakoshi cleverly sets out his philosophy through this biography, illustrating the various key precepts of his karate through stories of his life. An interesting insight into the man who’s ambition took karate to Japan from Okinawa, into Okinawa at a time of change and indeed of the foundations of a karate style has now spread all over the world. On an aside it is interesting to note how Karate has changed from what Funakoshi details in this book... hence why all karate-ka should read it.

Whatever you know or think you know about Gichin Funakoshi you should read this book. This book truly explains and shows the man he truly was. A peace loving, generous, dedicated, humble master of the martial arts.I am not a practitioner of Shotokan karate, but neither was he really; he was just a man that wanted to make a difference to every life that he touched and in most cases that is exactly what he did. Irrespective of what you think of Karate or Japanese martial Arts this man stands out as a true gentle spirit that followed what he believed was his true calling in life for nearly 80 years. He never entered in to a confrontation, succumbed to ego or diverted from what he believed was his life path, and in the process he managed to create the world's most practiced martial art; although if you asked him I am sure he would tell you this was never his intention, he simply wanted to help people better themselves. Which he did in great numbers. Hironori Ohtsuka, Mas Oyama, Keinosuke Enoeda, Kanazawa, Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyamaand many many more.This book is a must for any Karateka, martial artist or historian looking at the birth place of modern Karate.

I loved reading this; easy to read and a window into 19th century Japan and the history of Karate and a way of life now gone.Incredible man; get off your electronic devices and read.

`Karate-Do: My Way of Life' is an excellent book by Gichin Funakoshi where he recounts various events and experiences from his life. Rather than being a traditional autobiography it is more like a memoir where he shares his training, beliefs and theories on life and Karate. He shares assorted stories about his early training and the truth behind some of the myths that have sprung up around him, his fellow Karateka and his martial art in general. It also looks at the development of Karate from a secret martial art practised by him and a few others during the early years of the Meiji restoration to it's later status as an internationally renowned art. This book is very easy to read and you can see this master is both wise and humble and many martial artists can learn a great deal from him (whether Karate is their chosen art or not). This also sheds some light on life in Japan during the period of the authors life and makes for fascinating reading if you are interested in Japan in general. There is also a middle photo section showing Funakoshi during his later life. It pays to be aware that this book has no specifics about Karate techniques (you will need another book if that is what you are after) but it does look at Funakoshi's thoughts of life, training and the experiences of his life and overall it makes for fascinating and enlightening reading.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

This is just a great short book from the master himself. I recommend this book to all my karate friends who haven't read it already. It's important to understand where Shotokan karate came from and the mentality behind Funakoshi's reasons for doing all that he did.Such a humble and dedicated man, there's definitely something for everyone to take away with them from this book.RECOMMENDED!

After reading this I felt nothing but grateful that such people lived and live and felt blessed that I was able to read a short story of his life, and humbled at every page.A book that would do the world much benefit being placed in schools.I Rei in respect to the Master no longer with us and again am thankful he was able to write this in his time here, so that we many years on may gain company and learn from him and all that he encountered and recorded.

I haven't read this purchase yet but read the book originally 30 years or more ago and found it a fascinating read. I am hoping to read it in the next few weeks and feel sure I will not be dissapointed.