The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master Hardcover – Illustrated, February 8, 2013

Great book for karate enthusiasts. Very brief, and very deep at the same time.

The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master This book is a "must have" for anyone's martial arts library. It should be required reading for any martial arts students or masters. It could easily have been titled, "The Twenty Guiding Principles of Life". Ginchin Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate brings several of his philosophies to life in this short book. As students in the martial arts frequently become discouraged by a self-perceived lack of progress, proper insight into the reasons for continued practice can reinforce their confidence. Most of these principles can be applied to life in general. Being aware of what we are doing as well as why we do it is perhaps one of the most important lessons one could learn. Master Funakoshi breaks these lessons down into 20 easily digestible sections. This book is an easy read, but don't be fooled by its size. It is packed with wisdom and concisely presented.

This book should be, in my professional opinion mandatory reading for all students of Karate. If they are realistically too young to be able to make a serious go at reading this book, an instructor should take time to interpret the contents of this book and present it to his/her younger students. It's a great book to own and study.

This book captures the core aspects of Budo. As a budoka and being immersed in one form of budo after another over the last 20 or so years, I bought this for my students to read when they are experiencing mental fragmentation and losing focus, I have found this book brings their mentality closer to the heart of training sincerely. It helps to remind young students of the original thought process laid as foundation, for their benefit in the present time. It is great for connecting the past with the present and instilling the cultivated mental guide of Gichin Funakoshi into hungry young hearts.-Scott Doerr, Sensei-Shisei Ryu Aikibudo KaiSeishin Budokan

I studied Karate briefly at Person to Person Karate of Ancient Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Dojo Karate with Sensei and Sensei Scaglione. My intent studying was to prepare for college admission to Syracuse University's Higher Educational Opportunity Program. I had also applied to the Selective Service program as required by law; and Two USA military academies: Army and Air Force [I would have sought a commission as a Judge Advocate General] I also applied to ROTC considering the US military's urgent selective service appeal in 1980.This might have alarmed the US military who built up a 600 fleet Navy. This probably was of great assistance to the British exit from Hong Kong after the 99 year lease on Hong Kong expired in 1997; as was The Research Funding Incentive. I propose a change to the Commandments: Do not commit murderers; and Do not commit thieves to prison or the gallows. As a graduate of Fordham Law School's Juris Doctor program these two change recommendations as Doctor of the Church and Bishop of Tactical Catholic Church it is intended to heal Law Office Failure: absence in law, justice, the social contract, scripture and its foundation: math, chess, logic, exegesis of a way other than favor, gift or fiat to have the resource to compensate lawfully if that is the intention. Instead price goods and services in percentage of income with an usury limit: this is just and equitable.

Each principle is further explained in more detail, to understand the principle better. In a country's culture, an outsider may not understand properly (lost in translation). This book helps those 'get it'. Made me think about each principle differently.

This is a great book on the real philosophy behind the martial arts. Although Master Funakoshi founded Shotokan karate, the principles in this book are universal throughout the world of martial arts. This should be required reading for every martial artist, and especially those who practice Shotokan karate. I have a lot of respect for Master Funakoshi from studying his life and therefore his writings carry a lot of weight with me. This book, although a short and easy read, is packed full of wisdom and should be a part of every martial artist's home library.Bohdi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

I took up karate shotokan several years after I first started (I used to do it as a kid) and I felt like I wanted to get a little more from the discipline. Reading this book definitely gave me a philosophical perspective on karate. I ended up getting 'Karate-Do Nyumon', 'Karate-Do Kyohan' and 'Karate-Do, my way of life' by Funakoshi. Overall, a great introduction to the fascinating world of this martial art. It is much more complex than what one may originally think when starting to practice it... :)