The timely introduction to Shoto-Kan Karate, a unique Japanese style of the popular ancient art of 'empty hand' self-defense, explains and fully illustrates two of the major kata, or forms, in which all karate techniques are contained.

The first few chapters are devoted to warm-up exercises, stances, blocking and kicking technqiues which prepare the student for the study and practice of the two kata-Bassai No. 1 and Tekki No. 1. The presentation of the two is ideal for the home practitioner: the execution of the movements, or techniques, appears in a sequence on one page and their actual application against an opponent are shown on the facing page. Thus the student can see at a glance the proper execution and application of each technique.

Any karate student who wants to master the 'ultimate in self-defense' should carefully study this authoritative presentation of Shoto-Kan Karate. 'The study and perfecion of one kata,' states the author, a third-degree black holder, 'prepares the student for the next, until eventually he has successfully climbed the ladder to the rank of black belt.'

Peter Ventresca was born in Italy and first came to the United States at the age of five. He received his schooling in Boston, Massachussetts, and became a United states citizen on his twenty-first birthday. He later went into the restaurant business in Boston. Through some biusiness associates, young Ventresca met karate masters Edward Unsen and George Yamamoto. The two were insturmental in providing him with the inspiration and tutoring needed to spur him up the black-belt ladder to the third-degree ranking he presently holds.

Mr. Ventresca established the Ventresca Studio of Japanese Shoto-Kan Karate at the urging of friends and prominent Boston youth organizations, and later, the Shoto-Kan Karate Association of Massachusetts. He devotes his full time in developing black-belt instructors who in turn will teach others Shoto-Kan Karate. He lives with his family in Boston.

Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Dynamic tension-Warm up exercises
Stances-Forward-leaning; Straddle-leg; Back
Blocking techniques-Low block; Upper block; Forearm block; Knife-hand block
Kicking techniques-Front-snap kick; Side-kick; Back kick
Kata-Bassai No. 1; Tekki No. 1
Depths of karate movements
Conclusion
Index