Hidy Ochiai

Although it was written over 300 years ago as a treatise on strategy and combat, Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings is heralded today as a classic work that speaks almost equally to the businessperson, the philosopher, and the practitioner of the martial arts. In A Way to Victory, Hidy Ochiai-a legend in the martial arts world who has devoted much of his life to the teachings of Musashi-provides both a new translation of The Book of Five Rings and annotations that clarify the text's lessons in strattegy for the contemporary reader.

Ochiai's new translation represents a seven-year effort not only to render the wisdom and spirit of Musashi's timeless teachings, but to painstakingly maintain the conpleteness and precision of his original words. Ochiai then follows each of the five volumes of the book with an in-depth analysis of that section's themes, offering the work as 'a constructive method of over-coming challenges in life, personal or otherwise.' A Way to Victory is a testament to the lasting importance of The Book of Five Rings. It is the perfect complement to Musashi's classic work.

Known as one of the premier martial arts masters in the world, Hidy Ochiai is a living legend among aficionados of martial arts as a competitor, demonstrator, and teacher. He has been inducted twice into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as 'Instructor of the Year,' and 'Man of the Year,' and is a professor of Anthropology at State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton. Hidy Ochiai is the author of two other books, The Complete Book of Self-Defense and Hidy Ochiai's Self-defense for Kids.

Contents

Part I Absolute victory
Winning and success
A biographical sketch of Miyamoto Musashi
Mind of samurai
Belief and confidence
Victory without fighting
A resolute mind
Part II The book of five rings
Volume one Earth
Translation
Analysis
Volume Two Water
Translation
Analysis
Volume Three Fire
Translation
Analysis
Volume Four Wind
Translation
Analysis
Volume Five KU
Translation
Analysis
Notes
Bibliography
Translator's postscript… (mais)

Hidy Ochiai, one of karate's greatest and most popular masters, states in his introduction: 'We cannot compete in tournaments forever, and sooner or later, the value of studying karate must be derived from deeper sources than mere competition.' In Hidy Ochiai's Living Karate, the concept of a martial art for all the seasons of one's life is explained and described in terms of a lifetime sport, something that incudes an element of self-improvement on both mental and physical levels.

The author of the bestselling The Essence of Self-Defense, Hidy Ochiai is uniquely qualified to present what he calls 'living Karate.' He has been instrumental in developing various programs that use karate as a foundation to benefit children and adults.

Hidy Ociai's LIving Karate is divided into two sections: one dealing with the history and philosophy of karate and the other providing the fundamentals of karate exercises and techniques. Used together, they deliver a well-balanced understanding of the 'art of the empty hand' that can be used throughout life for self-improvement.

Hidiy Ochiai is seventh-dan head of Washin-ryu karate in North Americal and Europe. He has written numerous articles on karate as well as The Essence of Self-Defense (Contemporary Books, Inc). As a member of the Master's Wxhibition Team, Ochiai has toured throughout the world and has appeared on national television programs demonstrating karate forms.

Contents

Introduction
Part I Philosophy of living karate
1 What is living karate?
2 A simplified history of karate
3 General characteristics and values of karate
4 Wisdom in karate
5 Different aspects of modern karate
6 Philosophy of karate
7 Style, sparring and kata
Part II Illustrated living karate
8 Basic exercises
9 Basic stances
10 Feet and legs as weapons
11 Hands and arms as weapons
12 Basic blocking techniques
13 Applications of techniques in self-defense
14 Pressure points and techniques to be applied to them
Index… (mais)

Chapter 9, 'Karate and the Marital Arts: A Philosophy,' was previously published as Chapter 6, 'Philosophy of Karate.'

Karate students of all ages, levels, and abiities will learn to perfect each kind of karate technique under the personal instruction of acclaimed karate superstar Hidy Ochiai in this action-filled volume. Packed with nearly 1,000 instructional photos, Hidy Ochiai's Complete Book of Self-Defense expertly guides you from the essential basics through the most advanced self-defense moves. You will learn:

Hundreds of ways to use hands, arms, feet, and legs as defensive weapons through knife-hand strikes, lunge punches, back-fist thrusts, hook kicks, and more
Scooping, crescent-knee, palm-heel, and chicken-head blocks to thwart opponents
Self-defensee from all sides of the body and from all positions-standing, sitting, and lying down
Techniques for performing kata (forms) with strength, grace, and vitality, as well as ways to analyze their underlying meaning
Application at will of karate's prearranged techniques and kata movements to any self-defense situation-even when fighting off four opponents or a gun-wielding attacker

Ochiai's lessons for becoming a true martial artist through the cultivation of mental and spiritual strength are an exciting bonus. His exercises are designed to help practitonars increase their self-discipline, concentration, confidence, and respect for themselves and others.

Hidy Ochiai, a karate legend, has been inducted into the Black Belt Hall of fame twice, as Instructor of the Year and as Man of the Year. A member of the International Masters Exhibition Team, he has traveled around the world to demonstrate his renowned skills.

Contents

Preface
1 Introduction
2 Simple self-defense techniques
3 Ground techniques
4 Falling techniques
5 The prectical karate
6 Advanced self-defense techniques
7 Kata: theory, demonstration, and analysis
8 Physical conditining exercises
9 Karate and the martial arts: a philosophy
Index… (mais)