This book illustrates a kata named "Seienchin" by three methods. Front Section: Sequential pictures demonstrate the views in front of the kata performer: You can see stance, the name of stance, and the direction of movement. 4 Angle Section: Sequential pictures taken from four different angles around the kata performer: You can see the detail of each movement of the kata. Count Section: List of count (static) pictures. You can use this section when you do review for the kata. Traditionally, mastering karate kata took years of training and hard practice. Since the level of each lesson based on students' experience and belt color in most of the karate dojo, advanced kata could not be taught until they reached the advanced level. If students were interested in specific advanced level kata, they had to seek supplemental materials for self-learning. However, karate books in stores don't show us any detailed information because of its lack of illustration. Therefore, I published this book to support motivated self-taught karate students. The pictures in this book are taken from four views and all pictures are timely sequenced. Therefore, it should be easy to follow and learn accurate kata without going to dojo. Learning karate is like rubbing a magic lamp and conjuring the Genie. The karate Genie granted me much happiness through the benefits of health, youth, friends, physical security, self-confidence, income, and more. If I haven't had an opportunity of holding the lamp (means if I hadn't learned karate), I might not have any of these treasures and I might have had a very lonely insecure life. Now it is your turn to hold the magic lamp. You may be able to master kata to be a gold medal champion and keep your physical and mental health or manage your weight. Whatever is your purpose of learning kata (and karate, ) set your goal high and proceed to read this book. When you accomplish your goal, you will feel like that Genie really came from the invisible magic lamp and to fulfill your dream. I hope karate enriches the quality of your life.
About the Author: Yasushi Abe was born in 1959 in Tokyo, Japan. Having a father who was a Chinese martial artist as well as a judo wrestler, Yasushi Abe naturally grew interest in the world of martial arts. Prior to engaging in karate, he was interested in judo and boxing. Training began in his high school days. During high school, he figured boxing will be useful in fights and learned to fight on his own. During college, he entered Kaneko Gym, a professional gym taught by an east asian champion. He was on the judo team, but, was scouted by the weightlifting team because of his superior lower body strength. He participated in two high school competitions. He has won the championship in competitions including regular adult competitors as well. He competed in the lightest weight class, the fly-weight (under 52 kg), and was the tallest competitor in high school. There was an episode in which there were two brawls during his high school days. Seven opponents versus himself. In both cases, he defeated the opponents' leader within one minute. After graduating from Nihon University with a degree in Physical Education in 1982, he worked as a physical education teacher in Tokyo. In 1983, he started learning Shito Ryu style karate. He won a kumite tournament in Musashimurayama City and joined their kumite team. He won 8 consecutive times at the All Japan Teacher competition, surpassing the "King of Kata," Sakumoto sensei's record. He was awarded the Renshi license by the Japan Karatedo Federation. This certification is only given to select certified All Japan referees that have achieved over 5th level (godan). In addition, the Renshi license is only awarded to a chosen few individuals. Abe sensei has been active as the vice referee for the all Japan High School Karatedo for Tokyo City. Through interactions with all the high school karate instructors across Japan, he researched traditional kata and martial art styles. His profound knowledge of karate can be said to have stemmed from here. He taught karate to five of his children who all became Tokyo City champions. His family was able to enjoy the only male championship trophy and the only female championship trophy at the same time.