Gichin Funakoshi

Karate-do Kyohan, Facsimile reprint of the original 1935 edition Gichin Funakoshi

This identical reprint of Gichin Funakoshi's Karate-Do Kyohan is one of the most awaited reprints of karatekas from all over the world. The book had been widely distributed through its Japanese reissue during the 20th century. However, these modern editions had not been able to benefit from a revision by the author who died in 1957. Worse, the modernization of those editions had resulted in significant changes to the 1935 text. This book wants to go further, by offering in paper form, the facsimile as originally published. The project is driven by two convictions. First, that the Japanese language is no more of an obstacle than reading an ancient martial arts textbook: one can appreciate the iconography without grasping everything of the text that supports it. And then, the ultimate conviction: that, on balance, it is better to choose the original.