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Karatedo Tanpenshu |
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Karatedo Tanpenshu |
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The Master's Finest
Work
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"As
a collection of translated articles by |
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Our
latest publication, "Karatedo Tanpenshu", a
compilation & English translation of short
stories by Funakoshi
Gichin is now available at $32.95.
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| Book Review by Joe Swift Tokyo, Japan Patrick McCarthy has done it again. "Funakoshi Gichin - Karatedo Tanpenshu" is sure to be a modern classic. Just reading through the table of contents should give us a fair idea of the importance of this little gem. We start off with a foreword by the Father of Karate in Canada , Mr. Tsuruoka Masami, we then move into the introduction by the author. Page 13-20 consists of the 3-part article run in the Ryukyu Shinpo newspaper, 17-19 January 1914. Penned by "Shoto," this is based upon the oral traditions passed down to Funakoshi by his teacher Asato Anko. This article includes sections on the origins, styles and types (kata) of karate, strategy and historical masters, among others. Page 21 contains a rare poem by Funakoshi that had previously escaped an English translation. Page 22-33 is the translation of the very interesting 1921 article by Sasaki Gokai, entitled "Secret Fighting Techniques in Japanese Schools." This surprisingly well-detailed article, possibly the very first introducing karate to the mainland, was mentioned by Funakoshi in his 1922 publication entitled, "Ryukyu Kenpo Karate." In the article, author Sasaki Gogai also mentions Jack Dempsey's world title fight, the enormous popularity boxing received in Japan and the terrific influence it had on the youth of that generation. Although Sasaki clearly describes Dempsey's 1921 opponent as Frenchman Karl Banshea, researcher/historian Joe Svinth discovered that it was more likely Georges Carpentier, a historical point also supported by author/historian Harry Cook. Page 35-39 is an essay penned by Funakoshi in 1934, entitled "Karate." Expounding on the social benefits associated with belonging to a university karate club, this was written for the 10th anniversary of the Keio University Karate Research Society. Page 40-48 is an essay about Funakoshi's teacher Asato Anko. This being among the very few pieces of historical testimony about Asato Sensei, it is extremely important to historians and other researchers. This piece also originally appeared in 1934, in the newsletter of the Keio University Karate Research Society. Page 50-54 is Funakoshi's 1934 essay on the principles of stillness and action (yin and yang). This rather philosophical, yet short, piece is crucial to understanding karatedo. Page 56-61 is a re-edited essay by Funakoshi entitled "Karate-do." The original Japanese edition of this essay seems to be lost, but it is apparently from an out-of-date book on Judo. In written correspondence to Mr. McCarthy, Harry Cook recently mentioned that the first English translation of this Funakoshi article appeared in Henri Plee’s 1954 publication entitled, “Judo Revue.” In similar correspondence, researcher/historian Graham Noble, said that it also appeared in Robert W Smith’s 1958 publication entitled, "Complete Guide to Judo."
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Book Review
Joseph Svinth USA
I received a copy of this a few days
ago, and will write a full review eventually. But some basic stuff.
The book is 143 pages, professional binding, with good quality paper. Lots of B&W photos and calligraphy, some by Funakoshi. Available from International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, PO Box 420, Virginia, Brisbane, 4014 Australia. And, as you're ordering direct from the author, probably inscriptions and such are easily requested. Structure: The book consists of articles by and about Gichin Funakoshi. -- Funakoshi, Okinawa no bugi, recollecting the words of Azato Ankoh (published in Japan in 1914) -- Sasaki G., Secret Fighting Techniques (1921 newspaper article introducing karate to the mainland of Japan) -- Funakoshi, Introducing Karate to the Mainland (Feb 1934) -- Funakoshi, Azato Ankoh, A Short Story about My Teacher (1934) -- Funakoshi, Stillness & Action (1934) -- Karatedo (unknown publication date) -- McCarthy, P. Extract from Bubishi that Funakoshi used in three of his publications: 1922, 1925 & 1935. -- Itosu, Ten Articles (1908) -- Matsumura, Seven Virtues of 'Bu' (1882) -- Noble, G. "Master Funakoshi's karate" (mid-1980s, Fighting Arts International; reprinted Dragon Times 1990s) -- Funakoshi, "Shoto's Twenty Precepts" -- Chronology of Funakoshi's career -- Postscript, Pat Zalewski -- Index Impressions Proofreading and such is good, and there are only a couple typos. From a content standpoint, if you have been collecting material for years, then probably you have seen most of what is here. But if you haven't, well, then this gives you easy access to lots of previously hard-to-get articles. For myself, I hadn't seen the 1921 newspaper article before, and the way it was written has made me wonder if the idea of introducing karate to Japan in the early 1920s wasn't the furor over Jack Dempsey and his million-dollar gates. (You could still buy a heavy cruiser or a submarine for a million bucks back then.) Karate as a uniquely Japanese form of boxing, as it were. Kind of a full circle, if this is true. A worthwhile addition to the library. |
Page 63-92 includes various photos of Funakoshi Sensei and related masters. Many of these photos are very rare. Of special interest to the Shotokan crowd might be the kumite photos of Funakoshi Sensei, demonstrating striking and grappling applications to his art from his 1922, 1925 and 1935 books. Page 93-99 includes detailed English translations of the four chapters from the Okinawan Bubishi that Funakoshi felt important enough to include in 3 of his 5 books. This is especially important for those who have a copy of the original English translation of Karatedo Kyohan, as two of these four chapters are translations of materials that the original translator of Karatedo Kyohan was reluctant to tackle. Page 101-103 is the translation of the original October 1908 letter of Itosu Anko, which expounds his philosophy for a new karate tradition. Itosu was one of Funakoshi's main teachers. Page 104-106 is Bushi Matsumura's letter to Kuwae Ryosei, dated ca 1882. This is important as well, because as Funakoshi tells us in his autobiography, he also studied for a short time with the great Bushi Matsumura of Shuri. Page 107 is yet another translation of Matsumura Sokon, a calligraphic scroll dating from 1885. Page 108-109 includes the story of Muso Soseki, the Buddhist Monk often credited with coining the "sente nashi" term, and thus the source of inspiration for the famous Okinawan Karate maxim "karate ni sente nashi." Page 110-126 includes a short article by Mr. Graham Noble, which focuses upon Gichin Sensei's son Yoshitaka (Gigo), and includes a translation and interpretation of the 20 Precepts of Shoto along with a clearly reproduced copy of the original, as it appeared in Nakasone Genwa’s 1938 publication entitled, “Karate-Do Taikan.” Page 128-133 is an informal time line or chronology of the life of master Funakoshi, from his birth in Shuri in 1868 to his death in 1957, in Tokyo. Many interesting facts are brought to light. Finishing out this great book is a postscript by Pat Zalewski of Australia (formerly of New Zealand), a bibliography and complete index. Patrick McCarthy's "Tanpenshu" deserves to be in a class all its own, and in the library of all serious enthusiasts, right next to the Bubishi, Karatedo Kyohan, and Nagamine’s precious writings. All in all, Tanpenshu is a serious read for serious karateka.
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