Shotokan Karate - Advanced Training Methods vol. 4
A seminar with Harry Cook Volume 4
Training with Equipment part 3
Best known as karate's premier historian due to his landmark book, Shotokan Karate A Precise History, Harry Cook is also a superb instructor whose services are in great demand throughout the karate world. This four part series shows precisely why. The historical research for which he is famous, has led Harry back to the true meaning of the kata applications. His findings, which may initially seem shocking to some, are the answers to many of the most frequently asked questions by beginner and dan grade alike, and the key to truly effective karate.
“On the physical level a karateka needs to maximise his strength, speed and flexibility. In order to do this hard work is necessary. It is also important to be able to suffer to some degree without complaint. Carl Jung, in his work The Development of the Personality observed, ‘There is no coming to consciousness without pain,’ and I think that is certainly true about the martial arts.
“Mentally I feel you need to develop and maintain an open enquiring mind, what the Zen people refer to as shoshin or beginner’s mind. Shunryu Suzuki said: ‘In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.’ Karate should be the art of the open mind as wellas the art of the empty hand.”
— Harry Cook
Running time approx. 60 minutes.