Karate-Do Kyohan Book Gichin Funakoshi

This book is excellent in each and every attribute. To start off, the structure is very good, premium material has been used to make the book alongside exceptionally high quality pictures. And, the text by Gichin Funakoshi is very satisfying and enjoyable to study. If you don't know, Gichin Funakoshi is considered the father of modern Karate. He was the man that introduced it to Japan!

Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (UK Link to the book) is like a key into the mystical world of the true Karate from Okinawa  by a master that was taught by the Okinawan Karate masters from days gone by. This is from the root source. The 19 katas in this book are presented using good techniques and a lot of detail (words and images). Ensure you buy this book if you are serious about Shotokan Karate-Do.

For those who don't know about Gichin Funakoshi and want to know more here is a collection of pictures with dates that have been compiled together showing some insight into the journey of his life.

25 Shoto-Kan Kata Book Sensei Sugiyama

KATA is a very important part of Karate. Any serious practitioner knows this already. This book, 25 Shoto-Kan Kata's is written by Shojiro Sugiyama, who is a very well known and well respected teacher of traditional Karate. This book is special, not only because it shows all 25 of the Shoto-Kan Kata's, but also because it shows them all in 3D so you can clearly see what movements need to be done in order to totally perfect your Kata Technique. A lot of work has gone into this book, and that work has not been overlooked. Impressive reviews of the book (UK link to the book) confirm this.

Many people consider this to be one of the best books ever made on the subject.  You are getting the full 25 Shoto-Kan Kata's, in a one book, step by step explanation that includes text instructions and also illustrations all in one book. Usually, Kata instructional books come in volumes which obviously means you have to buy more then one book to have all the volumes and all the Kata's. 25 Shoto-Kan Kata by Sensei Sugiyama is a must have guide for all Shotokan practitioners.