The Art of Hojo Undo: Power Training for Traditional Karate

I bought this book out of interest for learning Hojo Undo.This book provides detailed drawings which are easy to follow and learn from.These are great exercises which I can’t wait to practice.Highly recommend this book.

I like to think of myself as a traditional martial artist. Not for the style I study, the look of the dojo, or my gi but for my mentality of the arts, and what they mean, and how to train. This book is written by such a martial artist and is a great resource for anyone looking to incorporate a 'strength training' regimen into their dojo, or just their own personal training.The book contains a good amount of history of the training methods and tools and more than adequate description/illustrations of how to construct such tools and use them in a safe manner. One great part is that this book will provide a great jumping off point for the martial artist to then go out and seek more exercises using such tools and to come up with your own based on your kata, sparring drills or whatever you have in your bag of knowledge.I have brought several chi ishi into my dojo as well as constructed a makiwara from a tire and some plywood and a store bought makiwara to hang on a wall. I use it on a regular basis as do our students and it has already proven beneficial in the short time they have begun their hojo undo training.I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a little bit more out of their own martial arts training regardless of what style you study.

If you already have a background in Karate or Kobudo this would be a great adhesion either for broad your knowledge on traditional karate or as a piece of basic instruction on how to carry out some basic training. Although this not replace a human instructor, the author provides a very clear guide on how to produce and to use certain tools for enhancing your conditioning training. I will not recommend for beginners who require basic training, but if you are already familiar with the basics, this would be an excellent investment to enhance martial arts training.

This book has saved my joints. I’ve started doing Hojo Undo as my weight training 3 times a week along with karate on my “off/running” days. This book is straightforward on how to do the exercises and what they’re good for. Highly recommend.

This comprehensive book has it all, regarding real Okinawan & Japanese Karate traditional and old school strengthening and exercise equipment.

Very informative. If you are a Karateka or someone who is interested in martial arts then this book is a must have.

I'm living in Okinawa and have been taking karate lessons from a Uechi Ryu Karate dojo for the last 3 years. My Sensei speaks passable English, but much is lost in translation. This book has helped me fill in the gaps between what I think I am being taught and what I am actually being taught when stretching and excising. My dojo uses the same tools and techniques as described in this book. I'm impressed with the quality and accuracy of this book and feel like it was a bargain because of the knowledge I gained.

Good book. It is easy to read and understand. It also has many useful photos, helpful illustrations and interesting facts & stories. If your looking for a book on how to strengthen and unite your body, mind and breath, this is it.This book is not about breaking things. It about making tools and using tools or a partner to become a better prepared Karateka.I have studied Karate & other Martians arts and also taught in The U.S. & Japan. I think it's a good book (I never give 5 stars, nothing is perfect). I recommend reading this book.

Es un libro de consulta sobre herramientas y métodos de entrenamiento para las artes marcialeles. Muy completo.

Muito bom livro,indicado para todos os sensei's ,oss.

Thank you

A great book, targeting all Martial Arts practitioners, as opposed to athletes of Sports Karate (or any other discipline of combat sports). Full of little gems for the conscientious martial artist, not only of Okinawan (as opposed to Japanese) Karate, but for Taekwon-Do (with a hyphen, despite MSWord objections) as well. Indeed, the second volume of Choi Hong Hi’s “Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do”. Mississauga, ITF, 1983, vol. II, pp. 186-284, chapter “Training Aids”, offers an equally comprehensive account of potential “Hojo undo or supplementary training” some 40 years earlier. Still, an extremely useful book.

Libro interessantissimo.