Karate SA

(Cape Town: Timmins Publishers, 1986) 0869782916. 8vo; original blue boards; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pictorial endpapers; pp. 126; photographs; diagrams; line drawings. Dustwrapper very slightly rubbed, and with some foxing to reverse side; archival tape repair to top edge of front free endpaper; some light foxing to endpapers and edges. Very good condition. 'Karate - the way of "empty hands" - is a form of unarmed combat that had its origins in India and China many hundreds of years ago. Beginning with a fascinating account of its history, Rob Marsh goes on to describe the various styles of karate that are practised in southern Africa today. Then in simple, easy-to-understand language he explains the underlying principles behind this increasingly popular sport, its stances, defensive and attacking techniques, and set sequences of moves or "kata". He includes a chapter on body-conditioning; on competition karate, a relatively new phenomenon; on tamashiwari, the technique by which wood, stone, tiles or other highly resistant materials are broken in a spectacular test of strength; and on the dojo, the meeting-place where karate is practised in an atmosphere quite distinct from that of the conventional Western sports club. The book ends with a description of the experiences of a young South African karate student who lived in Japan and trained there under the top masters. The text is profusely illustrated with photographs and drawings.' .