There are back issues of the 2002 Shoto Journal for sale right now. Much of the information published in that Journal has not been published in English anywhere else. Interested in kata applications, historical and technical articles, knowing where the taikyokyu kata came from, what are the big 15, what did Funakoshi' students think of Funakoshi? Miyagi Kei talking about karate and kata of Goju. Have a look here- list of articles

Boz

PS Special for one week- Any 5 for $30 and the whole year (10 issues) for $50.00

Hi All,

2004 are now available as well-

Vol. 2/ Issue 1

The Testimony of Anko Itosu: The Ten Annotations- by Kazuya Mitani
This is an excellent translation of Itosu’s Ten Lessons as reported to the Okinawan School Authorities. It is an explanation of the old karate and gives an insight into the meaning and purpose of kata. The translation is accompanied by an explanation of the article in the context of the time in which it was written.

Study, Polish and Master- Translation by Mario McKenna
An interview with Shotokan Master Kanazawa.

Shorei and Shorin- by Fernando Camara
Clearing up the old controversy of being two types of karate!

Single Kata Study: Seminar Report- by Bill Burgar
The author of 5 Years: One Kata reports on his seminar tour.

Shotokan Jion: more - a comparative study- by Ed Hudson

Shotokan Basic Drills- By Ed Hudson

About Shotokan Kata- by Bob McMahon

Vol. 2/Issue 2

Kihon Tegumi: 5th Dan Paper- by Vince Choo

Extant Kata of Okinawa Karate-Do- by Mario McKenna

Shady Characters in Karate- by Bob McMahon

Makiwara Training- by Kazuya Mitani

Vol. 2/Issue 3

Single Kata Study: What is it and why do it- by Bill Burgar

Passai no Kata: Oyo- by Mario McKenna
Applications of Passai.

Vernon Bell: The Father of British Karate- by Kevin Cutts
This is a great interview for those that would like an insight into how karate was introduced into the West. A real eye-opener!

Jion: The final Installment- by Ed Hudson
The end of a great series of articles by Chidokai’s Chief Instructor in Australia.

Vol. 2/Issue 4

Karate and I: Chosin Chibana- translated by Mario McKenna
An insight into the thoughts and experiences of one of Itosu’s senior students! A must read for serious karateka, especially his 8 precepts.

Funakoshi’s Early Teachings- by Fernando Camara
Answering the critics of Funakoshi!

Makiwara: the Anvil of Karate- by Harry Cook
Harry updated this article especially for the Journal.

Back to the Future- by Bob McMahon
An explanation of why the author returned to old school karate to prepare for the future.

Vol. 2/Issue 5

About Karate-Do in the Imperial Capital: by Gichin Funakoshi- translated by Joe Swift

SRSI South East England Workshop: report by Malcolm Bates

Traditional Martial Arts of Okinawa: Nakamoto Masahiro- translated by Mario McKenna

Shotokanryu Shushi no Kon- by Bob McMahon
Bo kata depicted in photos with accompanying English instructions.

Vol. 2/Issue 6

The Knife: A Weapon of Fear (Part 1)- by Jeff Nash

Tomari Rohai (Part 1)- by Mario McKenna

What is Self-Defense: Wrist Escapes 1 – 10- by Jeff Nash

Vol 2./ Issue 7

Book Reviews of Five Years One Kata- by Jeff McCauley

The Kuden of Toride in Kata: “Ikichigai”- by Mario McKenna

The Knife: A Weapon of Fear (Part 2)- by Jeff Nash

Tomari Rohai (Part 2)- by Mario McKenna

Vol. 2/ Issue 8

Harsh Decision or Justified?-by Jeff Nash
Passing and failing students testing for Shodan; a real live case!

Matsumura Passai (Part 1)- by Bob McMahon
Chosin Chibana performs Matsumura Passai- photos and details!

An Interview with Bill Burgar- by Steven Webster

Gladiator School- by Darren Laur
How prison experiences can educate the martial arts instructor!

Vol. 2/ Issue 9

Searching for the Roots of Bassai (Part 1): Sofue Toshihisa- translated by Joe Swift

RI-AI- by Harry Cook
Updated for the Journal!

Self-Protection and Technical Response Options Theory- by Darren Laur

Kata begins and ends with Naifanchi- by Bob McMahon
Some comparisons with other versions and some applications and information.

Vol 2./ Issue 10

Searching for the Roots of Bassai (Part 2): Sofue Toshihisa- translated by Joe Swift

Conditioning- by Harry Cook

PE Karate and Kuden- by Bob McMahon
A must read for serious karateka!

Fighting Multiple Opponents- by Darren Laur

Vol 2./Issue 11

Meet the Subscribers- Rob Alvelais

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished- by Vince Cullan

Kata- the Ultimate Mnemonic Training Tool- by Bill Burgar

Okinawa Historical Monuments- by Bob McMahon

Condition Black: Assault in Progress- by Jeff Nash
This is great information for those interested in teaching self-defense. A must read!

Empi Kata: History and Lineage- by Ed Hudson

Wisdom from the Past 1- by Joe Swift
Tidbits of Kata applications from Karate texts published before the War!

Nijushiho- translated by Joe Swift
Extract from a 1933 book depicting the Funakoshi Nijushiho which is quite different to the JKA version.

Well what are you waiting for?

Boz

Excellent non style specific articles on a variety of topics. Very educational, interesting and recommended

Hi Matt,

I've been rereading them and really enjoing them all over again. I'm actually surprised that so much of the information made availabe a few years ago is still largely not known in the Australian karate community. Many of the questions still being asked are answered in the Shoto Journals. Thanks for your comment!

Boz

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Lost due to restore

I just went back and re-read the article on Itosu's Ten Annotations (Vol 2. #1) and I have to say I got more out of it this time round than I did when I originally read it.


Mick

Where should I start!

I guess the 2 things that stand out in my mind are the articles about the early days of Karate in Japan and Okinawa, how they trained and how the Kata's changed, and the articles on the warm-up and Kata applications.

I've read a lot of books on Karate, so I had the general idea of how it changed and moved as it spread to Japan, but there seemed to be a gap between Funakoshi and "learning from the Chinese" of several hundred years. The historical articles filled in the timeline in a way that I was better able to understand.

With the warm-up article in #4, I recall warming up like that back in my Shotokan days, so it was good to see a good presentation on why it was done that way rather than "Because that's how I was taught."

As for the Kata applications, while I can see several applications for various moves or combinations, it was very interesting to see new applications, especially in an historical context.

Learning more about the interaction between various Karate-ka from the early days is very interesting as well.

I've only read the first 7, so no doubt I'll find more goodies in the rest of the set.

Cheers,
TW

Boz, I'll PM you later with the issues i`d like.