A kata is much like a family mewl that has passed down through generations. It holds a significance that is difficult to decipher, and many dispute the meaning of every micro movement it contains. We are thrilled to present a two-volume book on this subject. If katas are learning tools that pass down knowledge of a valued art, then the authors included in this anthology can certainly facilitate the learning process for all interested in karate. Each author has excellent experience in the field, having studied directly under masters, often in Okinawa. In addition to their long years of physical participation in the school of hard knocks, their depth of scholarly research into the encompassing culture allows their writings to illuminate many aspects of kata practice that normally go unnoticed. In our quest to better understand the full significance of kata practice, we must take a serious look at why old masters formulated the routines. How can kata practice better our health and promise to hone our self-defense skills? Each chapter in this anthology deals with the principles that guide kata practice. Hopefully the reading will reveal some of the secrets to improving techniques. As with other martial traditions, some insights cannot be shared through written word. Like good teachers, may the chapters here inspire you to look deeper into kata practice.
About the Author: Fernando Portela Câmara, M.D., is head of the Epidemiological Research Section of IM-UFRJ (University of Brazil). He holds a Ph.D. in biophysics with postdoctoral experience in data mining. A longtime practitioner and researcher of Okinawan martial arts, he began his training under Akamine Seiichi, a student of Izumikawa Kanki, and he is currently ranked seventh dan in Goju-Ryu. He runs the Shoreijikan, a small, private dojo in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Perry Campbell, B.Sc., is a graduate of the geological engineering program at Cambrian College in northern Ontario and now works in the mining industry. Perry began studying karate in 1977 in Whitefish Falls, Ontario, under the tutelage of "the Yogi Man," Israel Segarra. He lived in Okinawa in 1990 and 1991, studying daily with Yagi Meitoku and Akamine Eisuke. He is a sixth dan under Senaha Shigetoshi and fourth dan, under the late Akamine Eisuke. Perry teaches a small group of students in his dojo, as well as conducting a limited number of seminars annually. Giles Hopkins, M.A., a teacher of English and history, received a B.A. degree in English literature from the State University of New York and an M.A. degree in history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has been training in the martial arts since 1973 and holds sixth dan rankings and a teacher's certificate in Okinawan Goju-Ryu and Matayoshi kobudo. His teacher is Kimo Wall, seventh dan and president of Kodokan, in the lineage of Higa Seiko and Matayoshi Shinpo. Mario McKenna, M.S., holds a master of science from the University of Saskatchewan, and master of health administration from the University of British Columbia. He began his training in Okinawa Goju-Ryu and Tomarite (Gohakukai) karatedo in 1984 under Kinjo Yoshitaka. From 1994 to 2002 he resided in Japan, where he studied Ryukyu kobudo from Minowa Katsuhiko and Yoshimura Hiroshi, and Tou'on-Ryu karatedo from Kanzaki Shigekazu. He is ranked third dan, Gohakukai; fifth dan, Ryukyu kobudo; and fifth dan, Tou'on-Ryu. He teaches in Vancouver, Canada.