Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins

by Bruce D. Clayton

Learn how the hard-style karate that became shotokan took shape in 19th century Okinawa as an embattled king with an unarmed force of bodyguards faced an armed invasion from overseas. In this new 328-page book, author Bruce D. Clayton, Ph.D., uses rare sketches, footnoted historical research, archival lithographs, period photographs and contemporary technique demonstrations to reveal shotokan’s deadly intent and propose modern practical applications of such knowledge. Achieve a new level of theoretical understanding and fighting ability by learning Shotokan’s Secret for yourself!

Genres: Martial Arts, History

312 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Henrik Cam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book is interesting and readable if you want to get an insight about different masters how the different styles relates to Shotokan. But the second half of the book is just a lot of speculations from the author which he presents like truths. This is a typical example of cherry picking, he picks the stories that verifies his hypothesis, ignores all other facts and then presents a conclusion that is a lot of bullshit to be honest. He claims that Shotokan is so deadly because the art was refined by the king’s bodyguards. It is therefore developed to be used on many enemies at once and explains why it doesn’t contain groundfighting etc.

[William Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents an interesting theory of the origin behind many classical karate kata. While I'm not sure if it's a 100% accurate explanation, the author provides a lot of evidence to support the theory. He brings the martial art into a historical context coinciding with the arrival of Commodore Perry to Okinawa in 1853, an event which led to the eventual Meiji Restoration and dismantling of the Bakufu Tokugawa Shogunate.

Mr. Clayton is a Shotokan practitioner, and so this commentary is presented through the lens of that particular karate tradition. His interpretations of some of the more esoteric kata moves are very interesting and worth further investigation and experimentation.

It may never be known if these things are the real truth behind karate. As mentioned in the book, so much martial arts history was lost during the Battle of Okinawa during WW2. But this book helped to revitalize my interest in kata and the meaning behind it. If you are a karate practitioner, it is definitely worth a read.

[Colin Wee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Shotokan's Secret when it was first published, met and trained with Dr Clayton, and have enjoyed our sporadic but continuing conversation online since. This book has been a huge influence over my martial arts career, and I am unashamed to credit it with the blossoming of my insight and the growth of my own school.

Two decades after I first read this publication, I wrote my first book 'Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai' inspired in good part by Dr Clayton's work.

You can of course drill into any part of the book, and criticize the hypothesis, its proferred applications, the presentation of historical fact. Yet, once you see its rarefied perspective, you will marvel at the glimpse of historical martial arts development in the region. This is a rare top down view that many martial arts instructors would not be able to provide you.

I am extremely grateful for this seminal piece of martial arts literature and I highly recommend it to any serious martial arts practitioner.

Enjoy the read!

Regards,

Colin

[Jakub Holotík · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much liked, how the author set origins of karate into historical and spatial context. The conclusions about the real origins of Shotokan (or Shuri-te, for that matter) were intriguing at first - however far fetched they might seem as the reader progresses towards the end.
I was very disappointed, how the author dismissed the budo side of Karate - the view of Karate as a way to self perfection. He even suggested, that practicing Karate for this reason isn't even worth the trouble. I'm not trying to justify shape over substance, actually the opposite is true - bunkai and the actual meaning of kata and all its moves is of the greatest importance to me.

The book is very good as a cultural and historical reference, it offers an interesting alternative to the widely accepted origins of Karate and is definitely entertaining, even though it should be read with reservations.

Authors opinions as stated at the final pages are against my views and as a long-time practitioner I would expect the author to be more respectful.

[Hermann Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Sensei, Bruce D. Clayton, 8th Dan Shotokan, ISKA, tries to reconnect Shotokan to ancient bunkai roots and calls it "Shotokan's Secret". To be precise, the material presented in that publication is not actually Shotokan’s secret but the secret of Okinawan Shuri-Te/Shorin Ryu. This Okinawan karate system, which was shaped by Sakugawa Tode, Matsumuro Sokon, and Itosu Anko, was transferred from Okinawa to mainland Japan in the 1920s by Funakoshi Gichin - and thereby "disarmed" and turned from combat jutsu into a recreational activity. In my humble opinion, there is no need to vindicate Shotokan, i.e., Shorin Ryu’s “softened” and Japanized derivative, as a specific "Okinawa" art when the original lethal and genuine form still exists as Shorin Ryu. This rather looks like an attempt to incorrectly claim a mainland Japanese karate derivative being genuine Okinawan. Four stars for historic references and two stars for historic reasoning with opportunities for improvement.

[Steven Wallenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and insightful. A must read for the serious martial artist. Great insight into the catalyst in Okinawan history that gives rise to the manifestation of Karate.
The author explores not only the history and sudden evolution of martial arts among the Okinawans, but posits an argument that explains quite convincingly WHY such a dramatic evolution would take place by describing what he terms the "shuri crucible." Additionally, the lineage of influencial teachers are covered with clarity and done in a manner that gives the reader a real sense of who these people were.

[Rahmat Romadon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini pada bab akhirnya mengeluarkan kesimpulan dari analisis yang fantastis! Coba lihat gambar foto pada cover buku ini - dua orang pengawal di belakang Tuan Sho Taimu ternyata adalah dua guru Funakoshi Gichin (dari analisis sketsa foto) - Yasutsune Azato (kiri) dan Yasutsune Itosu (kanan) serta kaitan sejarah keduanya dimulai saat kedatangan Komodor Pherry ke Okinawa.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a gift from Kysohi Lavigne who received it from the author BD Clayton. It sure made Okinawa real. It contains an immeasurable amount of knowledge on the history of Shuri which makes you that much more appreciative of the knowledge conveyed about the Kata bunkais.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must Read for any Aspiring Karate-ka

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first had a hard time staying involved in the book but as it went it was harder to put down. Very interesting.

[A Blane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas.

[Gee B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, some great ideas but in the end they are only ideas, but you also get a great picture of how the Martial Arts were pulled together and traditions created

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical overview is an outstanding research, both insightful and entertaining. However, I didn't quite enjoy the overly dramatic tone, especially in the *bunkai* chapters.