Description:

This book is a short version of the German doctoral thesis in the field of Japanology (1998). It presents German translations of texts on the teachings of the Way of the Empty Hand together with explanations. There have been few and in some cases no German translations of these texts until now. They include the writings of the founders or influential masters of the 'four major schools', Shôtôkan, Gôjûryû, Shitôryû and Wadôryû, Funakoshi Gichin, Miyagi Chôjun, Mabuni Kenwa and Ôtsuka Hironori respectively. However, these texts also provide insight into the fundamental way of thinking within the traditional Japanese Ways of Martial Arts as a whole. To give a background to the texts and to allow a deeper understanding of them an account of the historical development of the Japanese martial arts, an introduction to some important basic principles - such as 'Way' - dô, 'Emptiness' - kû and 'Form' - kata - and a discussion of their written transmission, including new translations of important teaching texts of Miyamoto Musashi, Yagyû Munenori and Takuan Sôhô, are also presented. Biographies of the aforementioned Karatedô masters and commentators on their texts which serve to illustrate one of the most important developmental phases in the history of Karatedô are included as well. The Appendix considers the 'respectful salutation' (rei) and its performance in connection with the Way of the Empty Hand. In addition, those interested in further study will find comprehensive notes as well as both an extensive bibliography and a glossary of terms and names with their Japanese and Chinese characters.