Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan

Hirokazu Kanazawa inspires me the same today, as he did 30 years ago!

a true karate legend, who is always trying to improve hi own karatedo and everyone one else around him.

I have added a link to his incredible DVD series, which is simply amazing! Although the production is pretty poor, whoever produced this (Rising sun productions), kaaaanaaan deserves better than this

Shotokan Karate Kanazawa Mastering Karate 9 DVD Box Set Description

TE WAZA- Hand Techniques including strikes, blocks, and much more.
ASHI WAZA Foot techniques including kicks, stances, hips and shifting.
KIHON IDO - Combinations of hands and feet together plus shifting and much more.
KYU KATA - Below Black Belt katas including the Heians, Tekki s plus others.
DAN KATA Black Belt kata. Each kata includes the form being done first slow and then fast along with the bunkai (explanation) of each move by Kancho.

NI JU HACHI HO White Crane form done in slow speed and then full speed by Kancho Kanazawa including many explanations of the moves.

KUMITE In this DVD you will see why many consider the Shotokan practioners to be the best fighters in traditional Japanese karate as two SKIF champions go full out demonstrating ippon kumite sanbon kumite, gohon kumite and jiyu kumite. Manabu Murakami and Nobuaki Kanazawa will show you Kanazawa Kumite

INTERVIEW WITH KANCHO This is a tell all interview that we have all been waiting for. Have you ever wondered how and why the JKA did what they did? Ever wonder why Kancho Kanazawa left the JKA or England. Its all here plus he talks in depth about what he learnt from Funakoshi, Nakayama, Okazaki, Nishiyama and the rest. Plus just so much more it is amazing. The interview was conducted by acclaimed author, writer, interviewer Don Warrener. Don t miss this it is excruciatingly interesting as the Master is put on the hot seat.

A MASTER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD Hirokazu Kanazawa is not above having a laugh, even if it is at his own expense. You will see all the bloopers, errors and mix ups plus when he met Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley (look a likes) on the famous Hollywood Boulevard. You will see people from all over the world giving testimonials and accreditation to the one they call Kancho. Plus many surprises as you are taken behind the scenes of the making of Mastering Karate and more.

Here is a video of the great master Kanazawa Hirokazu performing Bassai dai.

Kihon Kata Taikyoku Shodan PDF and Slide Show

Check out ths kihon kata pdf and slideshow (below)

Kihon kata or Taikyoku Shodan(the original name), is the first kata practiced by many shotokan groups.

The founder of Shotokan karate, Master Gichin Funakoshi (pictured), developed six taikyoku kata. The six taikyoku kata are,

1. Taikyoku Shodan

2. Taikyoku Nidan

3. Taikyoku Sandan

4. Taikyoku Yondan

5. Taikyoku Godan

6. Taikyoku Rokudan

Some shotokan groups still practice these six basic kata, but the majority of shotokan dojo do not, and have taikyoku shodan (kihon kata), or heian shodan as their first kata.

Kata literally translates as form. Kata is a Japanese word describing set patterns of movements practiced alone or with a partner. Master Gichin Funakoshi's 20 precepts.

Kihon - Literally translated as "foundation" or "beginning"

Taikyoku - Literally translated as "first course" or "basic ultimate"

Shotokan Karate Shoto Niju Kun (Gichin Funakoshi's 20 Precepts)

Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna.

Karate begins and ends with courtesy.

Karate ni sente nashi.

There is no first attack in karate.

Karate wa gi no tasuke.

Karate is an assistance to justice.

Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire.

Know yourself before you know others.

Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.

Spirit before technique.

Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu.

Be ready to free your mind.

Wazawai wa getai ni shozu.

Accidents come from inattention.

Dojo nomino karate to omou na.

Karate training is not only in the dojo.

Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru.

You will never stop learning karate.

Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari.

Make karate part of your life and you will find myo (hidden secrets).

Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru.

Karate is like hot water. If not given continual heat, it will go cold.

Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo.

Do not think you must win. Instead, think that you do not have to lose.

Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo.

Adapt yourself subject to your opponent.

Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari.

The fight depends on your handling of your marksmanship.

Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe.

Think that your hands and feet are swords.

Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari.

Be aware of your actions so as not to invite trouble.

Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai.

First master low stances, then natural posture.

Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono.

Practicing kata is no substitute for the real thing.

Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna.

Hard and soft, tension and relaxation, quick and slow, all connected with correct breathing.

Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo.

Think of ways to apply these precepts every day.

Ossu

Linden

Karate For Beginners

PS Many new karateka ask, how often should I train? Well i believe the question should be, what sort of person am I and do I have the right attitude for karate practice?