ecently Leif Hermansson, Hanshi, 10th Dan Karate and Kobudo, and me published a book on Okinawa Kobudo. Exceeding 850 pages, these two volumes are vast. The two works contain all basics and Kata from the 6th kyu to 1st dan. In addition, more than eighty (80) combative scenarios (Kumite) were included and I worked out a completely new evaluation of the person Taira Shinken from the best Japanese sources available. Discover now the original applications of Okinawa Kobudo, handed down from Yabiku Moden and Mabuni Kenwa to Taira Shinken, further to Inoue Motokatsu, and finally to Leif Hermansson.
“Kihon and Kata can be verified through application only.”
Product description
Okinawa Kobudo Volume I and II contain the technical curriculum of Sōke Hermansson’s Kobujutsu, from the beginner until the 1st Dan black belt. The two volumes describe all basic techniques, MORE THAN EIGHTY fighting scenarios (Kumite), as well as FIFTEEN Kata for six different weapons, which – when mastered – not only provide the student with a vast technical repertoire, but also with the principles of martial arts.
The Kumite techniques – here Kama vs Bo – of Ryukyu Kobudo are given in great detail.
All techniques are illustrated by alltogether more than 2000 photos – most sporting Sōke Hermansson himself – with descriptions in great detail added. The descriptions of the Kata were translated from Inoue Motokatsu’s ultra-rare Kobudō book series publihed 1972-74, and adapted accordingly. Furthermore, the article “Taira Shinken – The Restorer of Okinawa Kobudō” describes the life Taira Shinken – in great accuracy and provides fascinating, unprecedented details.
About the authors – Leif Hermansson
Sōke Leif Hermansson began his martial arts training in his native country of Finland in 1963. In 1977 Sōke Leif Hermansson started to train Yuishinkai Karatejutsu and Ryūkyū Kobujutsu in Japan under the late grandmaster Inoue Motokatsu (1918-1993). In 1979 he received his Shibuchō (branch chief) license for Sweden directly from Inoue Sensei in Japan. Sōke Hermansson is one of the few martial artists outside Japan who trained with master Inoue for a considerable amount of time. He remained with his Inoue Sensei until his passing in 1993.
In 2012 Sōke Hermansson was awarded the title of Hanshi – the highest title in Japanese martial arts – and the 10th Dan in Karatejutsu and Okinawa Kobudō. He is one of the very few persons in the world who were granted such an honor.
About the authors – Andreas Quast
Andreas Quast, at Budokan Okinawa 2011.
Andreas Quast acted as inspirer, author, photographer, translator, editor, and publisher for the present work. With a martial arts experience of twenty years – two of which he trained in Okinawa – Quast is sufficiently qualified. He also added the article “Taira Shinken – The Restorer of Okinawa Kobudō”.
Okinawa Kobudo – Volume I
Authors: Leif Hermansson, Andreas Quast
Publisher: Andreas Quast
pp. xvi, 376
ISBN: 978-1-304-41214-0
Leif Hermansson and Andreas Quast: Okinawa Kobudo – Volume I.
Okinawa Kobudo Volume I – 6th to 4th Kyu – features the basic techniques (Kihon) of three weapons: Bō, Sai and Tonfā.
The Bō-Kata featured in this volume are Shushi no Kon Sho, Shushi no Kon Dai, and Sakugawa no Kon Sho. The two other Kata are Tsuken Shitahaku no Sai and Hamahiga no Tonfā.
Basic and continuous Kumite are are illustrated and described in detail for Bō, Sai, and Tonfā. This provides the student with already fifty fighting scenarios, which incorporate the principles of martial arts.
Contents:
- Editor’s Preface iii
- Leif Hermansson v
- Taira Shinken – The Restorer of Okinawa Kobudō 1
6th Kyū – Yellow Belt 27
- Bōjutsu 27
- Kihon 27
- 10 Kumite 47
- Kata: Shūji no Shō 71
- Saijutsu 91
- Kihon 91
- Continuous Basic Kumite 101
5th Kyū – Orange Belt 111
- Bōjutsu 111
- 15 Kumite: Training Method 1, for the defender 111
- 15 Kumite: Training Method 2, for the attacker 123
- 15 Kumite: attacker and defender 135
- Kata: Shūji no Dai 153
- Saijutsu 181
- 9 Kumite 181
- Kata: Tsuken Shitahaku 197
4th Kyū – Green Belt 245
- Tonfā 245
- Kihon 245
- 11 Kumite 269
- Kata: Hamahiga no Tonfā 293
- Bōjutsu 345
- Kata: Sakugawa no Shō 345
Okinawa Kobudo – Volume II
Authors: Leif Hermansson, Andreas Quast
Publisher: Andreas Quast
pp. ii, 453
ISBN: 978-1-291-55451-9
Leif Hermansson and Andreas Quast: Ryukyu Kobudo – Volume II.
Okinawa Kobudo Volume II – 3rd Kyu to 1st Dan black belt – features the basic techniques (Kihon) of three weapons: Nunchaku, Kama and Tekko.
The Bo-Kata featured in this volume are Ufugushiku no Kon, Shushi no Kon Koshiki (old style), Sakugawa no Kon Dai, and Sueyoshi no Kon. The two Sai-Kata are Chatan Yara no Sai, Hamahiga no Sai, and furthermore the volume contains the Kata Nunchaku Sho, Tozan no Nichogama, Maezato no Tekko, and Yaraguwa no Tonfa.
More than thirty Kumite are illustrated and described in detail for Nunchaku, Kama, and Tekko.
Contents:
- Editor’s Preface 1
3rd Kyū – Blue Belt 3
- Bōjutsu 3
- Kata: Ufugushiku no Kon 3
- Saijutsu 23
- Kata: Chatan Yara no Sai 23
- Nunchakujutsu 63
- Kihon 63
- 12 Kumite 97
- Kata: Nunchaku Shō 123
2nd Kyū – Purple Belt 145
- Bōjutsu 145
- Kata: Shūji no Koshiki 145
- Kamajutsu 165
- Kihon 165
- 10 Kumite 191
- Kata: Tōzan no Nichōgama 213
1st Kyū – Brown Belt 233
- Bōjutsu 233
- Kata: Sakugawa no Kon Dai 233
- Tekkōjutsu 267
- Kihon 267
- 10 Kumite 283
- Kata: Maezato no Tekkō 301
1st Dan – Black Belt 331
- Bōjutsu 331
- Kata: Sueyoshi no Kon 331
- Saijutsu 371
- Kata: Hamahiga no Sai 371
- Tonfājutsu 415
- Kata: Yaraguwa no Tonfā 415
On the development of these books
“For the text, in recent years I had already transcribed and translated the original Kata-descriptions found in the three volumes published by the late Japanese master Inoue Motokatsu in 1972-74. Inoue Motokatsu was Leif Sensei’s sensei, so this was a perfect fit. Of course I had a plan.
While staying and training in Swedenm I asked Leif if he would be interested in producing some sort of textbook on his style of Kobudo, and he agreed.
So we started and took about 2000+ photos over the course of a week, with a 1 1/2 hour session each day at the dojo. For the Kumite, we met my German colleague Maathias Golinski at the COmbat Academy in Stockholm. Short handedly I asked him if he would be interested to take part in the Kumite shooting, and he did.
I then cut and digitally remastered all the photos according to my specifications and incorporated text and photos with the publishing software, caring for design and style. From the existing photos I also worked out two covers to make it look good.
Then I started the iterative publishing process until all was according to specifications.”
© 2013 – 2016, Andreas Quast. All rights reserved.