Steve Armstrong

'A book that is a must for your martial arts library. The factual information and the deep martial insights contained within the book should reward and delight the reader. Isshinryu Karate reveals the essence of an Asian art to an American audience. I support Mr. Armstrong's every effort in the promulgation of his philosophy of Karate, and heartily respect his many contributions to Karate.'-Ed Parker, Kenpo Karate Lou Lizotte: The best damn book I've seen on Isshinryu Karate.'-(8th dan, Isshinryu; Hartford, CT) Willie Adams: Essential reading for every student of Isshinryu Karate.'-(7th dan, Isshinryu; Detroit, MI) Steve Young: This is the definitive history of Isshinryu Karate. It's also good reading. We owe a thanks to Sensei Armstrong.'-(5th dan, Isshinryu; Chicago, IL) J. Pat Burleson: 'A fantastic book.'-(8th dan, Texas Karate) Contents Preface About the author Part 1 The stuff of legends Chapter I The dragon boy Chapter II The legend Chapter III The mare of the night Part 2 Isshinryu karate: The one heart method Chapter IV 'Nidan, you, ha ha...' Chapter V The Agena Dojo Chapter VI The scroll of kumite Chapter VII Old bottles, new wind Chapter VIII The Tacoma Dojo Chapter IX A warm welcome, a silent goodbye Chapter X The real battle Appendix I The kata of Isshinryu Karate Appendix II Belt requirements Appendix III Code of Isshinryu Karate Glossary Belt ranks… (altro)

This is the first substantial work to introduce the Isshinryu karate system-one of the most popular Okinawan stules, Steve Armstrong, a leading Isshinryu authority in the United States, has presented a detailed standardization of the Seisan Kata, the first of three forms needed for advancement to green belt. Nearly 100 artistic illlustrations, emphasized by in-depth foot patterens, are graphically used to highlight easy comprehension by the beginning student. Included in this text is a stimulating history of the founder of the Isshinryu sysem, Tatsuo Shimabuku, along with an interesting background of the style's symbolic emblem. Contents About the author Preface Tatsuo Shimabuku Founder of Isshinryu The Isshinryu Karate Emblem A brief history of the Seisan Kata Seisan Kata 1 Contemplation 2 Formal bow 3 Preparation 4 Preparation 5 Ready position 6 Moving to meet your opponent's attack 7 Left hand middle block 8 Right hand straight punch 9 Left hand straight punch 10 Right hand straight punch 11 Preparation for double arm block 12 Execution of double arm block 13 Looking for next opponent 14 Preparation of pivot 15 Pivot 16 Preparation of double knife hand block 17 Double knife hand block 18 On guard position 19 Chicken head block 20 Grasping 21 Pulling 22 On guard position 23 Chicken head block 24 Grasping 25 Pulling 26 On guard 27 Chicken head block 28 Grasping 29 Pulling 30 Preparation to turn 31 Looking for next opponent 32 Left hand middle block 33 Right hand straight punch 34 Left hand straight punch 35 Right foot straight kick 36 Guard position 37 Right hand straight punch 38 Looking for next opponent 39 Turning 40 Preparation to block 41 Right hand middle block 42 Left hand straight punch 43 Right hand straight punch 44 Left foot straight kick 45 Guard position 46 Left hand straight punch 47 Looking for next opponent 48 Turning 49 Left hand middle block 50 Right hand straight punch 51 Left hand straight punch 52 Right foot straight kick 53 Guard position 54 Right hand straight punch 55 Preparation for a side block 56 Left hand side block 57 'T' stance 58 Backhand strike 59 Guard position 60 Advancing toward opponent 61 Right foot straight kick 62 Right hand leg block 63 Left hand straight punch 64 Preparation for a side block 65 Right hand side block 66 Turning 67 Backhand strike 68 Guard position 69 Advancing toward opponent 70 Left foot straight kick 71 Preparation for leg block 72 Left hand leg block 73 Right hand straight punch 74 Preparation for a side block 75 Left hand side block 76 'T' stance 77 Fake backhand strike 78 Right hand leg block 79 Left hand straight punch 80 Preparation for a side block 81 Right hand side block 82 Preparation for a knife hand block 83 Left knife hand block 84 Grasping and kicking 85 Grasping 86 Right hand straight punch 87 Setting a trap 88 Springing the trap 89 Closing the trap 90 Trapped 91 Preparing to finish 92 Returning to calmness 93 Calmness 94 Formal bow 95 Completion… (altro)

The second in a series of sophisticated works about Isshinryu Karate kata's. This kata is one of the most popular Okinawan Karate Katas regardless of style or system. Steve Armstrong, a leading authority in Isshinryu Karate presents heretofore unplublished realistic information about this distinctive Kata. Over 100 artistic illustrations clearly bring out the detailed hand and foot movements in this easy to read text. A student of the founder of Isshinryu Karate, Tatsuo Shimabuku. Steve Armstrong has presented a unique guide for all karate-ka in the foot patterns, the intricate hand movements, and some of the timeless philosophies of this renowned Kata. Contents About the author Preface Tatsuo Shimabuku Founder of Isshinryu The Isshinryu emblem A brief history of the seiuchin kata Seiuchin kata 1 Meditation 2 Formal bow 3 Preparation 4 Attention 5 Prepared to fight 6 Turning 7 Preparation 8 Wedging arme upwards 9 Breaking opponent's hold 10 Preparation for downward block 11 Positioning of hands 12 Double arm downward block 13 Follow through 14 Side chicken head wrist block 15 Grabbing 16 Pulling-spear hand punch 17 Turning 18 Drive hands up 19 Preparation of break 20 Burst out 21 Close fists 22 Start of downward blocks 23 Double arm downward blocks 24 Follow through 25 Inside wrist block 26 Grab 27 Pull-open hand punch 28 Turn 29 Upward drive 30 Drive hands up 31 Break loose 32 Breathe-close fists 33 Start downward block 34 Blocking-looking 35 Follow through 36 Inside wrist-chicken head wrist block 37 Grab 38 Pull-thrusting open hand punch 39 Start of back knuckle smash 40 Back knuckle smash 41 Basic stance-positioning 42 Augmented push punch 43 Pushing away-follow through 44 Grabbing-holding 45 Elbow smash-uppercut 46 Positioning 47 Move to the right oblique 48 Augment wrist block 49 Crowding side leg block 50 Retreating 51 Downward side leg block 52 Looking for next opponent 53 Move to left oblique-augmented arm block 54 Closing the gap-crowding 55 Downward side leg block 56 Retreating-backing away 57 Downward side block 58 Positioning-seiuchin stance 59 Arching hands movement 60 Arching-archer's block 61 Pivot backward 62 Archer's block 63 Step into oppoinent-kiai 64 Forearm block 65 Shuffle forward 66 Backhand strike 67 Preparation of pivot 68 Pivot-side and groin block 69 Avoiding leg sweep 70 Uppercut 71 Preparation 72 Back knuckle strike 73 Preparedness 74 Downward side block 75 Turning backward 76 Downward side leg block 77 Pivot 78 Simultaneous side and groin block 79 Moving in-crowding 80 Uppercut 81 Positioning 82 Backhand strike 83 Preparation 84 Downward side block 85 Move back 86 Move back-side leg block 87 Neko-ashi stance 88 Break for bear hug 89 Move back-chicken 'T' stance 90 Break for bear hug 91 Punch block 92 Move in-push down opponent's guard 93 Kiai-overhand-backhand strike 94 Straighten opponent's arms 95 Positioning 96 Arms crashing down 97 Break free 98 Preparing to finish 99 Returning to mildness 100 Calmness 101 Formal bow 102 Completion… (altro)

This is the first substantial work to introduce the Isshinryu karate system-one of the most popular Okinawan styles. Steve Armstrong, a leading Isshinryu authority in the United States, has presented a detailed standardization of the Seisan kata, the first of three forms needed for advancement to green belt. Nearly 100 artistic illustrations, emphasized by in-depth foot patterns, are graphically used to highlight easy comprehension by the beginning student. Incuded in this text is a stimulating history of the founder of the Isshinryu system, Tatsuo Shimabuku, along with an interesting background of the style's symbolic emblem. Contents About the author Preface Tatsuo Shimabuku founder of Isshinryu The Isshinryu karate emblem A brief history of the seisan kata Seisan kata… (altro)