Kenei Mabuni 
Empty Hand 
The Essence of Budo Karate

The Lifework of a Grandmaster of Karate Budo is the path of the Japanese traditional martial arts. Mabuni Kenei has followed this path for almost eight decades until now. He belongs to the last masters taught directly by the founders of modern karatedo. The son and heir of Mabuni Kenwa – the founder of Shito ryu – has acquired a deep understanding of the essence of Karate as a budo art during his course of life. He communicates this extremely complex knowledge to the reader in a vivid and fascinating way. For this purpose he uses his own memories and experiences, technical descriptions, historical and philosophical considerations, legends and anecdotes of the lives of famous samurai and budoka (masters of sword fighting, aikido, Okinawa-te and karate). For the beginner the book provides an idea of the inexhaustible possibilities of budo as a school of life, and the experienced practitioner will find numerous stimuli for his further development and also for his own teaching activities.

Table of Content

Preface by the Author Introduction A Martial Art for Everyone Karate as a Means for Physical, Martial and Spiritual Education The Emergence of Modern Karate Karate and Health The Physical Effects of Karate Karate in Dangerous Situations Karate as a Spiritual Martial Art The Breathing Techniques in Karate The State of Total Inner Calmness I. Budo Karate 1. The Development of Karate 2. Shitō Karate – the Teachings of Mabuni Kenwa 3. How to Overcome the Own Limits 4. Criticizing Present-Day Budo II. The Spirit of Budo 1. The Essence of Budo 2. Victory or Defeat 3. Karate as ‘Zen in Motion’ Afterword by the Editor of the Japanese Edition

About the author

Mabuni Kenei, holder of the 10th Dan, was born in 1918 on Okinawa, the birthplace of karatedo. As the son of Mabuni Kenwa, the founder of the Shito ryu and one of the most important karate experts in history, from his childhood on he was in touch with karate and some of its greatest masters. At the age of 34 he became the head of Shito ryu. Even today, in his old age, he holds seminars in different parts of the world where he teaches authentic karatedo. [Werk Review] => ‘.what you find inside is a real treasure, translated into English for us all to cherish and embrace. This is not merely a book about the man and his life, but about the journey he has taken over the last eight decades, the journey of karate-do.’ – Shaun Banfield, Shotokan Karate Magazine