CompleteMartialArts.com - The Karate of Chotoku Kyan
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List Price: $39.95
Our Price: $35.99
Your Save: $ 3.96 ( 10% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Tsunami Productions
Starring: Zenpo Shimabukuro
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0660468207993
Format: Color
Label: Tsunami Productions
Manufacturer: Tsunami Productions
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Tsunami Productions
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2005-09-06
Running Time: 50
Studio: Tsunami Productions
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Editorial Reviews:
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Small of stature, karate master Chotoku Kyan developed a form of karate so effective it made his name a legend in 20th century Okinawa. From the early 1930s Zenryo Shimabukuro studied with Kyan Sensei, and when he had mastered the art of his mentor, opened his own training hall, the Seibukan. In time he was succeeded by his son, our author, Zenpo.?According to Kyan Sensei mastery of his art involved: "Seventy percent perspiration and thirty percent inspiration." The modern student who follows the advice of this legendary martial artist will find the effort worthwhile, and the prize a rich one.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: A bit disappointed but an excellent record.
Comment: I thought this DVD was going to give some insight on strategy and execution for situations varied. All it turned out to be were some Kata and some history on the subject. That's good and all and don't get me wrong I'm going to keep the DVD because it is a very good depiction of all the kata I once knew but I thought it was going to be more that that. I guess I had my taste buds set on Chilly Dogs and I got a Hamburger, both are valid but I wanted Chilly Dogs. The video is grade "A" but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be from the advertisement. For those of you who need this information, the Kata on this DVD are "Passai, Chinto, Kusanku, Ananku, Wanshu, Gojushiho and Wanchin. Like I said, the quality of the video is excellent but kata are all you get.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: Very impressive. I've always had an interest in the kata of Kyan Sensei and this dvd demonstrates them very well. I read another review on this dvd that referred to Shimabukuro Sensei as a "force of nature". I would have to whole heartedly agree. His performance of these kata is beyond excellent. The intense power and focus of his technique is almost scary. I would highly recommend this dvd to anyone who practices any form of Shorin Ryu karate. It is very informative and very well made. I can't find a single thing wrong with this production.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource
Comment: I had the pleasure of studying Seibukan karate from a second generation student of either Zenryo or Zenpo (the distinction was never made clear during my tenure) in the early 90's, and being the type who likes to write everything down, I was able to retain much of what I was taught including six of the kata on this tape (which I didn't write down, but learned). However, at that time none of my seniors knew Chinto or Kusanku, and I couldn't have learned it then anyway. Over the years I practiced the kata and basics of the style, considering it far superior to the numerous Japanese or Korean systems of college athletics masquerading as martial arts. I was fortunate in that my instructor, a convert from another Okinawan style, was far less autocratic than most Seibukan instructors. I was able to resume training in 2004, and was overjoyed to see this tape, which includes all the representative kata perfected by Chotoku Kyan and passed down to Zenryo Shimabukuro. The historical sections are interesting, and the kata are all presented from one direction only, once at normal speed and once in slow motion. While I remember one reviewer suggesting that it might be difficult to see certain moves because of the one angle shot, using the slow forward feature on the DVD player, you should be able to figure it out. I don't recommend learning kata off of a video by itself, but if you don't have a teacher (or don't want one, for whatever reasons), you should be able to learn something from this video. The production values are excellent, as most of Tsunami's tapes, which helps to somewhat alleviate their somewhat elitist and prejudiced focus on certain styles and instructors. I recommend this tape to anyone interested in the martial arts and Okinawan martial arts in particular.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A study of the Karate of a Master
Comment: This DVD is amazing.The demonstrations of the Kata by Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro is well worth the cost of the unit itself.His ability and strength resonate through every performance.The narrative gives insight into the life and times of the legendary Karate Master,Chotoku Kyan. I hate to nit pick for fear of being a nit wit,but there are a few things I would have liked to have seen included.First,while I understand that application(Bunkai)can vary,and is always open to interpretation.I would have liked it if some were offered.I have noticed this absent in other training modules.So you cant fault them too much.Maybe its a legal matter.I'd rather have a moving text of the systems kata,than risk the resulting lawsuit from some yahoo damaging somebody.Still,it is amazing to have this treasury of the kata of Seibukan Karate available. Second,The meaning of the names of the kata could have been included.I get a lot out the these,and while some were mentioned,others were not. When you consider that the names of these kata were changed for mostly P.C.reasons as they were absorbed by the later developing Japanese systems,you get a better sense of the history of these kata. If I may,and with the help of a couple of Karate text,(John Sells incredible;Unante and Corcoran and Farkis terrific,Martial Arts:Traditions,History,People),I would like to share these original name translations with the reader. The kata Wanshu,is the name of a Chinese Ambassador.This Kata is renamed as Empi,(Swallows wing),in most Japanese systems. The kata Ananku, refers to,light from the south or,Southern light.developed by Sensei Kyan,and Perhaps a reflection of his experiences in his travels. The kata Seisan,refers to the number,13.Sometimes thought to mean 13 techniques,or 13 steps.But most state it refers simply to "13".In systems such as Shotokan,the kata is known as Hangetsu,which means half-moon.A reference to the half-moon method of stepping between techniques. The kata Passai,is to "Penetrate a fortress" or,break a rock.Often known as Bassai-Dai in the Japanese systems,which basically means the same thing.
The meaning of the name of the kata,Wanchin,developed by Sensei Zenryo Shimabukuro,has unfortunately been lost to the sands of time.However,it is said that the katas name,is a combination of the kanji of two other kata,Wanshu and Chinto.These two kata,and the techniques involved,were favorites of Sensei Zenryo Shimabukuro.Hence an inspiration for the name. The kata,Gojushiho,translates into 54 steps.Often also known as Useishi.Accounts vary,and either trace this kata back to formal exercises practiced in Fujian,China.Or,to a Okinawan royal court ritual dance. The kata Kusanku,is a reference to a Chinese attaches name.In the Shotokan system it has been changed to Kanku Dai,which refers to Sky viewing.In other Japanese systems its known as Kosokun.
The kata Chinto,is facing or,fighting,to the East.At first thought to be the name of a Chinese seaman.The name is now believed to refer to a city in an eastern region.Its name is changed in most Japanese systems to Gankaku,which translates to Crane on a rock.
Once again,let me state that I add these as something of interest to the reader of this humble review.In no way am I attempting to take anything from Sensei Zenpos training module or the production of this unit.Nor is there any way I could hope to instruct on a level anywhere near Sensei Zenpo Shimbukuro.I just felt that perhaps this could be found as entertaining to the reader.I would also like to thank Sensei Sells for his wonderful work on the Unante,and Mr.Corcoran and Mr.Farkas for their outstanding work on Martial Arts;Traditions History People.Both of these text added considerable insight into the translation of the names of these important kata.Just in case the point of all this has been forgotten...The Karate of Chotoku Kyan is an excellent DVD.Portraying not only the importance of these kata and the history of Sensei Kyan,but also,the amazing ability of Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro in the demonstration of these kata.If your looking for something of great significance to add to your Karate library,you wont go far wrong with The Karate of Chotoku Kyan.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Essential for all Shotokan students and instructors
Comment: This is Shotokan karate before it was taken to mainland Japan and changed to suit university and high school students. It is powerful, direct, includes take downs, holds, and, uniquely, a basic punch that develops significantly more power than its modern version by rotating only 90 degrees, instead of 180.
This is a very professionally produced program that is enjoyable, packed with information, and something that you will watch again and again. Shimabukuro Sensei is technically excellent, the navigational menus make it really easy to use, and the historical section alone is worth the cost of the DVD
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