Just in time for the holidays and you if you care about the original Okinawan art of Toudi, We now have a translation of book Toudi-jutsu no Kenkyu or The Study of the Techniques of China Hand Techniques by Itoman Seijin from the 1934 publication. You have the chance to get a detailed description of Toudi-jitsu and then to compare it to your current art to see the differences.
Mario McKenna describes the book this way.
“The Study of China Hand Techniques is unique in the literature of Okinawa Karatedo. It is the first book of its era to provide not only an outline of the history, and philosophy of Toudi (Karate) but also provides detailed instruction on a broad range of techniques and their application including striking, kicking, locking, throwing, and choking.”
I have read it and the detailed description of Toudi –Jutsu is very interesting. We are fortunate that McKenna Sensei spent the time on this for our use. The book can be ordered at http://www.lulu.com/shop/morinobu-itoman/the-study-of-china-hand-techniques/paperback/product-20530948.html
Let me know when he gets it on Amazon and if he gets it in Kindle format ;-)
ReplyDeleteFor requests that I've received about this book here is a bit more.
ReplyDeleteA little bit about ' Itoman's 'The Study Of The China Hand'.
I was fortunate to assist McKenna Sensei with the review process for this work
and found myself affected greatly by this text. or The Study of the Techniques
of Toudi (China hand). A description of the Okinawan art before karate,
according to Itoman's description a time before rank or styles. Toudi where
"there are no junior or senior grades in Toudi". Just the training
For example Itoman describes how one becomes an instructor. "Following, breaking
and transcending involve a student first copying the form of his teacher and
restraining himself from making any personal changes to it. Next, he breaks or
separates his practice from that of his teacher trying to exceed him. Finally he
transcends his teacher's instruction and finds his own unique military art. " I
find this is different than today's standards.
This is not a kata book. Instead Itoman spends his time describing about 225 of
Toudi's 600 techniques which leave us thinking both about the descriptive nature
of what he does share and about what he doesn't describe. There is no question
that environmental concerns are addressed with the techniques. It makes me
think that the dojo atmosphere did not control the art. Even special training
procedures are addressed making the Toudi presented very complete.
While this is not a kata textbook it offers surprises for us.
The last third of he book shows how many of these techniques would be applied.
For example when you throw an opponent kick them in the neck. Hardly the focus
of today's training. The book also suggests that speaking your way out of an
encounter may be the right answer.
I hope this helps you make a decision about this book.
Victor