Okinawan Karate: A History of Styles and Masters: Volume 2: Fujian Antecedents, Naha-te, Goju-ryu, and Other Styles

“Okinawan Karate: A History of Styles and Masters, Volume 2: Fujian Antecedents, Naha-te, Goju-ryu and Other Styles” is the most comprehensive and complete book available on the origins of the Okinawan karate styles that emerged from the Fujian Southern Shaolin boxing styles. It contains a thorough historical description of the Ryukyu kingdom’s relations with both China and Japan; the background of the Fujian Southern Shaolin Temple and the various styles of Chinese martial arts that emerged from that lineage; the influence of Fujian boxing on the two great Naha-te styles of Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu as well as the history of those styles and their major branches and masters; and the histories of Isshin-ryu, Kojo-ryu, Ryuei-ryu, and Motobu Udundi (Gotente). In each case, the book provides analytical assessments of the style’s characteristics, descriptions of their curricula, and critical assessments of the accomplishments and controversies surrounding some of their great masters. This book is lavishly illustrated with photos, art work, maps, tables and charts, including a detailed description of the social and court ranks of the Ryukyu kingdom. Its footnotes provide access to a wide array of sources in English, Chinese, and Japanese–including available videos on the styles and masters, where available–for those who wish to learn more. As the companion to Volume One on Shuri-te and Shorin-ryu, this book is a “must-have” for all serious martial arts students.