Founder of "KARATE"
What a humble and classy guy! This book is not another manual of forms or instruction ( Gichin-san wrote another book in1922 for that). This book is an autobiographical window into time past, two centuries ago at the time of the Meiji Restoration! Along the way are rich anecdotes of Mr. Funikoshi's life and many historical references. He was a poor but learned school teacher who dedicated himself early on to the rigorous life of martial arts training before it became known to everyone as "Karate", (Chinese hands or Empty hands). Eventually in his later years, he formalized Karate instruction and was the key in promoting its popularity, spreading its knowledge to all Japan and then the world. There was a double meaning in translating the alphabet pictograph-characters representing the early art and he selected "Empty" over the alternative "Chinese". "DO" in "Karate-do" means "way-of". We learn from his experiences that the Karate tradition involves much more than physical training but mind and character qualities carried through life. This is the benefit of training and commitment. This was his way.
