By: Jason Kraus
In our exploration of the some of the best karate books written, we arrive at the topic that is most difficult to capture in the written form: Kumite.
Let me preface this by clarifying the definition of ‘kumite’ that I’ll be using. When I write ‘kumite’ in this article, I’m referring to freestyle fighting training that is less interested in scoring points than it is hitting an opponent in such a way as to end the fight.
To be clear, this article uses the term to refer to using physical techniques like strikes, throws, and chokes in a street fight to stop an aggressor, but not those techniques you’d use fighting for your life, where all limits are off and methods like eye gouges, ear tears, and improvised weapons are on the table.
That kumite is difficult to explain in written words has not stopped authors from writing hundreds of books on the topic, however. Many kumite books dwell on rigid sparring forms of systematic attack and defense akin to kihon training.
Others focus on the snappish, point-fighting techniques used in sport karate. Those kinds of books are fine but the books that follow are a breed more useful to adult practitioners of the fighting arts. Though the lessons in the books below can benefit both children and sport karateka, they are not directed at those audiences.
As ever, my opinions – whatever their value - are my own and are intended as suggestions to those who see the art as a way of life.
Perfecting Kumite by Sensei Masahiko Tanaka
In an era where blood and broken bones were common in kumite matches, Sensei Tanaka was the undisputed world champion amongst an international group of very tough karate fighters.
His treatise on kumite includes explanations and clear photos of direct & effective Shotokan techniques. It includes countless training exercises and drills and is full of tactical and training gems, the likes of which could only be discovered during a lifetime of high-level training.
He begins exploring single kihon techniques but quickly expands into more nuanced, advanced techniques that he explains using family-tree brackets.
Sadly, Perfecting Kumite is no longer printed and will almost certainly never be printed again due to a falling out between the author and the Japanese karate association to which he belonged when he wrote the book. Luckily for all of us, a scanned copy is widely available on the internet in PDF format. Given the book’s availability, there is no reason not to own a copy.
Sabaki Method – Karate of the Inner Circle by Sensei Joko Ninomiya
Sensei Ninomiya’s book is a fine karate book, full of useful techniques worthy of time to study and internalize. But what raises this book to a higher level – a really unique level – are the two qualities it does not specifically describe.
By paying careful attention to the photographs of the techniques, a keen-eyed karateka can see two things. First, the book’s photos emphasize the use of active hands, specifically, the hikite hand is always proving useful pulling at the opponent’s sleeve or shoulder, controlling their movement and jamming their techniques before they can build momentum.
It reinforces the idea to keep both hands active, which is often neglected in training but results in more fluid responses. This book also emphasizes shifting into the opponent’s weak side and blindspots.
The use of hikite combined with skillful movement can result in the delivery of devastating, fight-ending techniques and the drills in this book make that clear.
The Sabaki Method also makes clear the importance of framing, which is a boxing technique that simultaneously reduces your opponent’s options (in terms of movement and ability to attack and to defend) while simultaneously increasing your ability to hit, precisely because you’ve put them exactly where you want them.
This is a skill that boxers spend years developing but is often completely overlooked by karateka but is very worthy of study.
Neither the value of the hikite hand nor the importance of framing the opponent is ever directly mentioned in the text, but the drills are clear and useful and a good reminder that winning the fight is often determine by ma-ai (the fusion of distance and timing).
Footwork Wins Fights by David Christian
While not specifically a karate book, Footwork Wins Fights is excellent for learning how to maintain control of distance and spacing. The movement and stepping techniques from karate, boxing, kickboxing, and savate fill these pages.
The drills to highlight short movements, long movements, lateral movements, shifts, twists, and feints. It’s good for any kind of stand-up fighting style. Unfortunately, the photos aren’t always high quality, but they get the message across.
Also the message is proper footwork and skillful movement keeps a fighter safe while allowing them to attack at a time and from a place of their choosing.
Jason Kraus is a lifelong martial artist. Jason spent decades in various martial arts including traveling to and living in both Japan and Korea. He has most recently returned to his first love, Shotokan Karate.
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