KEINOSUKE ENOEDA 'THE MASTER TEXT' and four volumes
of 'ADVANCED SHOTOKAN KATA'. 5 Exceptional DVDs
Available now at £15 from any SKE Karate Club

THIS is what we all have been waiting for; the complete set of 5 Sensei Enoeda DVDs – ‘Beginner to Black Belt the Master Text’ and all of the other ‘Advanced Shotokan Kata’ series originally released on video tape in the 1990s.

DVD Review

I don’t know about you, but my own video tape recorder/player just seems like another piece of clutter that is gradually gathering dust and rarely used these days - and I never really worked out how to use the thing properly anyway. Simpler and more effective is the DVD player, and so this set is well overdue for all of us Shotokan enthusiasts who have made or are making the sensible switch over to DVDs

This set of five DVD tapes is not just a re-release of the original video series but much more and well worth getting your hands on. Legend TV under the directorship of Ged Moran has digitally formatted the tapes and included fascinating archive material that will not have been seen by many. This material is what is going to make the set not just useful as a training aid to assist with ones study of karate, but a true collector’s item with archive footage of Sensei Enoeda in the early days. There is footage of the great Enoeda five man demonstrations seen every year at the KUGB National Championships; various versions of this mesmerizing karate display are included showing how the display developed from its original presentation at the Budokan in Japan to what we saw on a regular basis in England up until 2003.

My personal favourite is the BBC TV documentary ‘Open Door’, made in the early1970’s and broadcast live, included here warts and all. This documentary includes the legendary Sensei Tomita and Kawasoe, ‘assistant instructors’ of Sensei Enoeda, together with some of the very early Marshall Street students. Self defence against knife attacks, sword attacks and multiple opponents are very effectively described and shown. Without spoiling the plot I can say that this section is highly entertaining!

The ceremonial kata performed to Shinto music is also included with Sensei Enoeda dressed in his black traditional Hakama. Seeing this inspires us all to aim for the highest possible level of karate and the Martial Arts and after watching this it is difficult to imagine that he is no longer here with us.

Tributes from some of today’s top Shotokan luminaries illustrate the respect that there still is from the world of karate for ‘The Tiger’. Dave Hazard (ASK) is perhaps the best known of these and he commands a respect throughout the UK and the rest of the world. He gives a valuable and very personal insight into his feelings and his memories about Sensei Enoeda and his time with him. After training with Sensei Dave Hazard, I can say that the spirit of Sensei Enoeda lives on in his classes. There are also valuable and interesting contributions from John Mullin, and Richard Amos (WTKO) as well as Elwyn Hall, all leading figures in the world of karate and respected everywhere. Bernard Rose, the photographer who produced so many great photos of Sensei Enoeda must also be congratulated. His picture is on the front of each DVD case, and as always his picture conveys the essence of the Enoeda spirit, it always has; I love his pictures and photography.

The archive footage, documentaries and interviews are included on each of the five DVDs, however don’t be fooled; each disc contains a little ‘extra’ – Mr. and Mrs. Enoeda at Windsor Castle, the Japan Week in Sunderland, England squad selection with Ticky Donovan, Bob Poynton and Terry O’Neil in the first selections, Andy Sherry, Terry O’Neil and Bob Poynton doing various bits of cleaning and housework whilst helping Mrs. Enoeda (you missed a bit there Bob!) The list goes on and the whole collection is as entertaining as it is invaluable.

Volume 1. The Master Text -Beginner to Black Belt - A great introduction to all of the basic combinations, Kata and Kumite up to the level of Black Belt.


Volume 2. Advanced Shotokan Kata – Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi and Hangetsu


Volume 3. Advanced Shotokan Kata – Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Jitte, Nijushiho and Tekki Nidan


Volume 4. Advanced Shotokan Kata – Unsu, Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Chinte and Sochin


Volume 5. Advanced Shotokan Kata – Gankaku, Meikyo, Wankan, Ji’in and Tekki Sandan

I was involved with the original filming of the Karate videos and assisted with the video rehearsals which were made at the Marshall Street Dojo. When it came to the actual filming at Mentmore House I was recruited by Sensei Enoeda to be a video cameraman. There was no chance of escape. The whole experience was frightening and fantastic at the same time and I would not have missed it for the world. Sensei Enoeda was a perfectionist during the filming, repeating sequences over and over again until he was happy with the playback on the monitor screen. So much work went into the original filming that it is great to once again see these films presented in such a professional and respectful manner.

Rod Butler - January 2009

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Mind and Body – Like a Bullet.
Memoirs of a life in the Martial Arts
Sensei Yutaka Yaguchi with
Catherine Pinch

Book Review

This book is a gem! Packed full of history, stories and information about the formative years of the JKA, The Instructors class, the formation of the ISKF and of course, Yaguchi himself. The book has been created by Catherine Pinch with a love and respect that is rarely seen these days. Even before opening the book it is clear that there is a tremendous respect for the man and his karate. The front cover featuring an original oil painting of Sensei Yaguchi, through to the testimonials, recollections and the thoughts of some of the greatest living karateka today, reinforce in the readers mind that Yaguchi is a man of vision, dedication and loyalty to the art of karate.

The many tributes in the book come from senior instructors with 25, 30 and even 35 years training with Sensei Yaguchi. Indeed some of these instructors have become his extended family and have even relocated their homes, their lives and their work to train with him. Such is the love, respect and dedication of many of his followers.

Sensei Enoeda in England received similar adulation and it is pleasing to see the great camaraderie and friendship that existed between Yaguchi and Enoeda. Early on in the book there are references to Enoeda and the very first picture inside the book shows Yaguchi and Enoeda together enjoying some free time.

The tributes given by Yaguchi’s senior students are honest and revealing and describe the many sides of Yaguchi as a friend, a husband, a father and an instructor. The humor, the fun, the instinct and the foresight together with the complete dedication to his family and karate all shine through and are touchingly described in the many wonderful tributes, stories and recollections made by his students and instructors. The book must serve as a wonderful reminder to Master Yaguchi of the dedication and gratitude that his extended karate family has for him.

Over many years one may train with many great masters of Karate, however, it is difficult and even impossible to get to know them on a deeper personal level. This book completely bridges that gap and the reader will gain a rare insight into the very special world of Master Yaguchi.

Aside from the stories, history and information, the book’s greatest strength is in its narrative style. It is hard to imagine that you are not sitting in Yaguchi’s own home whilst he describes in great detail his most personal life inside and outside the world of karate. Even better than a film or video the book allows a personal dialogue between the reader and Yaguchi himself, as he describes his early years in Japan and his later experiences and life in the USA. The book is a must for all karate students, instructors and enthusiasts. Get hold of a copy today!

Rod Butler - 2008

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