The Karate Way: Discovering the Spirit of Practice

by Dave Lowry

Karate is not just a sport or a hobby—it’s a lifetime study toward perfection of character. Here, Dave Lowry, one of the best-known writers on the Japanese martial arts, illuminates the complete path of karate including practice, philosophy, and culture. He covers myriad subjects of interest to karate practitioners of all ages and levels,

   • The relationship between students and teachers
   • Cultivating the correct attitude during practice
   • The differences between karate in the East and West
   • Whether a karate student really needs to study in Japan to perfect the art
   • The meaning of rank and the black belt
   • Detailed descriptions of kicks, punches, evasions, and techniques and the philosophical concepts that they manifest
   • What practice means and looks like as one ages
   • How the practice of karate aims toward cultivating character and spiritual development


After forty years studying karate and the budo arts, Lowry is an informative and reliable guide, highlighting aspects of the karate path that will surprise, entertain, and enlighten.

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2009

Reviews

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book collects 29 essays on karate—specifically, traditional Okinawan Karate--into a slim volume. I suspect the essays were initially either magazine columns or possibly blog posts because they all weigh in at a similar length, i.e. six pages. This isn’t to say they weren’t reworked or edited for inclusion into the book, it’s just conspicuous that the chapters to stick to such a tight word count restraint. It’s also evident in the lack of cohesive organizational structure—i.e. the essays don’t build on each other or reference each other, and it doesn’t read like a book that was built from an outline up. This isn’t meant as criticism (that’s coming later.) It’s a perfectly respectable approach to building a book, and the word constraints probably made the book more concise, and the lack of rigid organizational structure likely made it more creative.

Lowry covers a wide range of topics that a student of karate (or one considering becoming one) might find valuable. The questions addressed include: How does one keep motivated? Which is better a teacher who is technically a genius but morally a jackass or one that couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper sack but is the pinnacle of virtue? Does one need to go to Japan to get high level training? How important is rank and a black belt? Does one need to hit things? What was training like in the old days? Some chapters deal more with technical aspects of common techniques (e.g. side kicks, stance, front thrust kick, etc.), but not in a highly technical or detailed manner (e.g. there are no graphics in the book.) Other essays deal with the philosophy of martial arts (e.g. “victory is in the scabbard”) and/or foreign concepts that may seem strange to a Westerner (“buji kore kaere meiba,” or “it’s a noteworthy horse that can return its rider to safety.”)

I found the book interesting, although it’s not my favorite Dave Lowry book for reasons I’ll get into below. The author does provide interesting insight into the history and development of karate over time. For example, I learned that historically Okinawan karate teachers weren’t so interactive with students as one expects today (this reminded me of what I’ve been told about old school yoga teachers who would quietly watch from a seated position at a distance.) I was also fascinated by the discussion of how “ikken hisatsu” (killing with a single blow) wasn’t a part of Okinawan karate in the early days, though it’s a ubiquitous (if ridiculous) feature of the tactics of many karate styles today. However, one is left feeling—as one sometimes does as a student of Japanese martial arts—a little like one is being told to shut up and accept that it’s just the way it is.

Any book that begins with an apology for sounding pretentious is likely going to be grating in places, and Lowry doesn’t disappoint in that regard. He does display some of the “self-congratulatory smugness” that he claims wasn’t his intent. It’s most notably seen in gratuitous assertions that he puts across as truisms but which seem more controversial. It feels as though he figures that you bought the book because you take him as the expert and will defer to whatever he says. A lot of said assertions involve accepting the traditional way because it’s such a grand avenue to personal growth and development—except that it doesn’t seem like it is. (It seems like a good way to build an army—e.g. blind obedience and faith-based martial arts [by this I mean eschewing competition and randori—free form training / sparring--in favor of form-based practice], but a poor route to personal growth. Note: maybe the preceding sentence is entirely wrong, but you won’t find out why in Lowry’s book because he takes the virtue of the traditional approach as axiomatic.)

Having leveled my criticism, I will say that Lowry is great at explaining himself and making analogies as necessary. He is incredibly knowledgeable. The book is readable and frequently interesting. I’d recommend it for martial artists—whether they practice karate or other styles/systems—but some readers are likely find it more appealing than others. I suspect the more in tune one is with the traditional Okinawan and Japanese approach to martial arts (i.e. in Lowry’s words if you practice “serious karate”) the more satisfying you’ll find this book (you, too, can radiate the glow of self-congratulatory smugness.) If you question the value of the traditional approach and wonder on what basis one should take it as superior, then you’ll probably find the book less satisfying—but still thought-provoking.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to re-read this book when I am many years into my training. As a beginner, some of this was over my head. But I definitely enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the historical and myth-dispelling aspects of karate presented here. I like the way the author explores both sides of an argument and allows the reader to make their own decision. Interesting and well worth reading for any karateka.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an amazing book. This collection of meditations on karate life touches on so many topics. It's not a manual for anything, like so many martial arts books. History of karate, suggesting strategies for specific movements, thoughts on quitting, ruminating on being a good or bad teacher etc.; Dave Lowry discusses all the things surrounding karate that may or may not be a part of what we do in the dojo.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is Severely educational, rather philosophical and always entertaining and interesting.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It is a good start for lower rank belts and does have some reminders for advanced belts. Overall it does cover a lot of material ranging from technique and practice. It also offers some good articles for black belts.

[Mike Oliveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Covers a lot of material ranging from technique and practice habits to higher-level articles like what it means to be a black belt. A lot more accessible and less dry than In the Dojo by the same author.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been more relevant for me 10 years ago. Just goes to show we're all climbing the same mountain.

[Adam Francomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and will be referring to it again.