My Art and Skill of Karate

by Choki Motobu, Andreas Quast (Editor), Motobu Naoki (Translator)

The book “My Art and Skill of Karate” presents the technical knowledge and original accounts imparted by famed Okinawa karate master Motobu Chōki (1870-1944). This translation was created in close cooperation with the author’s grandson, Motobu Naoki sensei. It also includes a congratulatory address by the author’s son, Motobu Chōsei sensei, the current head of the school. Moreover, this year marks the 150th anniversary of Motobu Chōki’s birth. In other words, three generations of the Motobu family were involved in this new translation, connecting the history and tradition of karate from the 19th to 21th century. In addition to accounts about old-time karate masters in Okinawa, the work features thirty-four photos of Motobu performing Naihanchi Shodan, including written descriptions. Moreover, it includes twenty kumite with pictures and descriptions as well as five pictures of how to use the makiwara. What makes it even more unique is that the existence of the book was unknown until the 1980s, when the wife of a deceased student sent the book to Motobu Chōki’s son, Chōsei. Until today this edition remains the only known original edition in existence, and it provided the basis for this original translation. This work has to be considered one of the most important sources to assess and interpret karate.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2020

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chôki Motobu (本部 朝基, 1870-1944) is one of today's most famous representatives of the Ryûkyûan civil fighting arts and an important eye-witness of Okinawa of the late 19th century and early 20th century. He not only learned from Matsumura, Matsumora, Tokumine and Sakuma, he also spent several years training under Ankô Itosu (1831-1915), under whom he learned the kata Naihanchi, among many other things. During his lifetime he wrote two books, which today are an important source for all those who are engaged in karate - both from a technical and historical point of view. In 1926, he published the book “Okinawa Kenpô Tôdejutsu (沖繩拳法 唐手術 組手編). His book “Watashi no Karatejutsu“ (私の唐手術) was published in 1932 by Tôkyô Karate Fukyûkai containing “authentic experience, firsthand information and original eye-witness accounts“ by Chôki Motobu. It is unknown how many copies were printed at that time. Based on an original, it was reprinted by Motobu's son Chôsei and distributed to students and libraries in an edition of 200-300 copies in the 1980s. In 2000, another edition followed, this time by Tsukuo Iwai. And in 2002 an English version by Patrick McCarthy was published. Now, just in time for Chôki Motobu's 150th birthday, the book has been newly translated and edited by Naoki Motobu, Motobu's grandson, and Andreas Quast titled "My Art and Skill of Karate". On 216 pages you will find an English translation of the whole original books, comments and explanations, an overview of historical karate personalities, an index and a worth reading epilogue by Choki's son, Chôsei Motobu. The numerous photographs of the book, especially the kata Naihanchi Shodan, which is said to have been Motobu's specialty, and kumite techniques, are arranged on the pages in such a way that they can easily be used as a flipbook. A nice gimmick! All in all, the book is an extremely valuable contribution to the hoplological discourse and especially to the historical and technical discussion of Ryûkyû Karate. Absolutely recommendable, and without doubt an important source for my book about Ankô Itosu!