AWARDS
FINALIST-Sports, Best Book Awards, 2023
Genuine Okinawan Karate was developed as a fighting tool.
Non-Okinawan Karate are for other purposes.
Karate practitioners, scholars, and everyone caring about Asian martial arts and its culture will enthusiastically appreciate this eye-opening work.
Dr. Bayer substantiates further how the art Karate was used to prepare a nation (Japan) for total war, how it was deliberately industrialized into a worldwide Japanized Karate-Do inflation, and how its following transformation into athletic showmanship destroyed the art's unity and distinctiveness.
The author endorses Karate-Jutsu as a genuine Okinawan martial art even as foreign knowledge and skills from India (speculated) and from China (proven) were integrated- and he explains the imitative social mechanism used to turn this local fighting art into a symbol of national identity.
Since martial arts were initially understood as a moral code-neutral tool, like a weapon, this happens to contradict the modern understanding of Karate being a peaceful art with inherent non-violent values. In truth, moral codes or guidelines on how to use this tool were developed separately, not within the art.
A new "back to the roots" Karate-Jutsu movement gains importance and establishes a counterculture to Karate-Do's industrialization, helping to integrate some neglected reminiscences of Karate-Jutsu back into Karate-Do. Such a development brings Japanized Karate-Do versions closer to their martial origins, whereas pure Karate-Jutsu will be preserved as a point of reference by a group of dedicated curators.
Contents include:
Okinawa is the birthplace of Karate-Jutsu and Japan is the birthplace of Bu-Jutsu.
How Karate and Budo were used for Japan's war preparations.
Senpai seniority was the social mechanism to integrate Karate into Japan's martial arts tradition.
Consequences of an ancient fighting art being turned into athletic showmanship.
In Sports-Karate there is no more Kata in Kumite, and there is no more Kumite in Kata either.
The modern misconception of avoiding a fight by all means.
The path toward mastery in Karate.
Sensei correct your errors and blunders, you have to correct mistakes yourself.
Today's Karate-Jutsu movement is the counterculture to Karate-Do's industrialization.
Karate's market structure in the 21st century.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"Hermann Bayer once again provides fresh perspectives and prudent explanations of the complex developments of karate-jutsu into karatedo and into sports-karate. He not only dares, in his seventies, to successfully add a combat karate system from scratch up to black belt to his thirty years of karatedo training, but he assesses his training observations and experiences with analytic acumen and astute research."-Noel Smith, Hanshi 9th Dan Yamashita International Budo Association, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Shorin Ryu, Shorinkan, head coach for the US karate team (1973 to 1978), USA Karate Hall of Fame Inductee (1976)
"All who are serious about knowing more concerning the early life protection methods developed on Okinawa, and how they've "morphed" since then to become the karate-do many know today, will applaud this latest work by Dr. Bayer. I found it to be just as important to the future of genuine Okinawan karate as his first book, if not more so. This well-researched, comprehensive blend of history, philosophy, martial culture, and informed opinion educates our judgment when it comes to the reasons practitioners are rarely exposed to more than a glimpse of "genuine karate" these days, on Okinawa or elsewhere. This book fills numerous gaps in our understanding of that which we seek to learn and share. It provides thoughtful perspectives and honest appraisals-all with the intention of helping us steer a "true course."" -William "Bill" Hayes, Hanshi, 9th Dan Shorin Ryu, Shobayashi-Kan, Major United States Marine Corps (retired), Karate Masters' Hall of Fame and American-Okinawan Karate Association Hall of Fame Inductee, award-winning author of My Journey with the Grandmaster: Reflections of an American Martial Artist on Okinawa
"Supported by historical and socio-cultural facts, scientific analysis, and public records, Bayer examines how Japan reinterpreted Okinawan karate to best serve its own nationalistic agenda. Through his collective analyses he quantifies karate as an industry and reveals a complex and convoluted evolution, aptly illuminating the motivations behind various stakeholders." -Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi 9th Dan, ranks in jujutsu, judo, Yamaneryu kobudo, and Japanese swordsmanship; martial arts researcher, historian, and best-selling author. Director of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee (2012)
"Once again, the author, Dr Hermann Bayer, invites karateka around the world to look at their art through the lens of reality rather than myth. His dedication to budo karate is clear, but that enthusiasm is put to one side as he burrows further into the legends, propaganda, and misinformation entrenched in modern-day karate, a field of study and practice where many students and teachers regularly mistake fiction for fact and place imagery over substance. As with his first volume, a level of discomfort while reading this book should not be unexpected. The book challenges the reader to examine their beliefs, and that alone makes the work a valuable tool in the learning of karate. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone making a serious study of karate." -Michael Clarke, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Okinawan Goju-Ryu, award-winning author of The Art of Hojo Undo, Shin Gi Tai, and others
"The first source for you to learn more about your karate. Analysis of Genuine Karate 2 is second to none!" -Kris Wilder, 6th Dan Goju-Ryu, black belt taekwondo and judo, USA Karate Hall of Fame Inductee (2018), award-winning author of more than twenty marital arts books, including The Way of Kata, The Way of Sanchin Kata, and others
"Analysis of Genuine Karate 2 follows the first volume nicely. This is an insightful look at the multiple directions modern karate is taking based on the historic roots discussed in the first volume. An excellent reference for anyone interested in the history of karate and the directions it is currently moving toward." -Raymond "Gene" Adkins, Renshi 6th Dan Shorin Ryu, Shorinkan
"Dr. Bayer's Analysis of Genuine Karate 2 expands on and develops a further analysis of the concepts and relationships of karate-jutsu, karatedo, and sports-karate. Drawing on an anthology of publications, educational materials, people, places, and concepts, Dr. Bayer furthers his analysis of what he has termed "Genuine Karate," discussing how it evolved, retreated, and is reinventing itself. Volume 2 is a wonderful exploration of his research and findings and his relevant exploration of Okinawa's "Gift to the World"-Okinawan karate." -Ted Jacobson, Renshi, 6th Dan Shorin Ryu, Shorinkan
"Analysis of Genuine Karate 2 is a book that reflects a love, devotion, dedication, and level of knowledge that in my opinion is comparable to, if not exceeds, anything that has been published on the topic." -Bernard N. Curry, PhD, LCSW, CSOTP, CCTP, university professor
Hermann Bayer, Ph.D. Degrees in economics, sociology, and psychology, Hermann has worked in academia (scientist and campus dean) and as a CEO in the private sector (Germany). He immigrated to the USA in 2005.
Hermann's karate training began in Europe (1981) with Japanese karate-do until he transitioned to Okinawan karate in the USA (2016). He has spent considerable time with renown Japanese, Western, and Okinawan karate teachers, all the while researching the core essence of the style they represent. Hermann Bayer resides in Virginia Beach, VA.
Introduction: Structure of the Text, Research, and Analysis
Content and Structure
Methods and Analysis Used
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Characteristics
Chapter I: Avoiding a Fundamental Misunderstanding: Why Different Terms Are Needed for Today's Different Karate Variations
Classic Okinawan Karate Jutsu
Traditional Japanese Karate-Do
Modern Sports-Karate
Chapter II: Did Karate-Jutsu Originate in Okinawa or in China? A Contribution to Historic Reasoning in Martial Arts History
Throughout History Foreign Knowledge Is Integrated into Existing Ideas
China Is the Birthplace of Ch'uean fa,
Japan Is the Birthplace of Bu-Jutsu,
Okinawa Is the Birthplace of Karate-Jutsu
Is the Presented Reasoning Plausible?
Summary Chapter II
Chapter III: Japan's Assertion of Okinawan Karate-How a Sub-Cultural Intangible Heritage Is Used as a National Cultural Symbol
Okinawa's History Creates Unique Socio-Cultural Conditions
Assertion of a Sub-Cultural Symbol as a National Cultural Symbol
The First Reason For The Japanization of Okinawan Karate: Japan's Preparations for War
Karate and Budo as Means to Create an All-Embracing Warrior Spirit
Karate as Means to Secure the Human Raw Material for Japan's Armed Forces and to Demonstrate Socio-Cultural Superiority
The Second Reason For The Japanization of Okinawan Karate: Japan's Cultural Integration Efforts
Conformity and Group Orientation in Japanese Culture
Senpai Seniority as Social Mechanism to Integrate Karate into Japan's Martial Arts Tradition
Summary Chapter III
Chapter IV: The Metamorphosis of an Ancient Fighting Art into Athletic Showmanship
Commercialization of Sports-Karate and Its Consequences
Consequence One: Loss of Essential Knowledge
Offensive Moves Changed into Defensive Ones
Systematic Knowledge About Nerve Strikes And Grappling Came to Be Patchy
Excurse: A Psychological Perspective of Sensei Itosu's Motivation to Teach Karate to Kids
Consequence Two: The Unity of Kata and Kumite Separated into Unconnected Sport Disciplines
Kumite's Changed Purpose in Sports Karate
Kata's Changed Role and Purpose in Sports Karate
Consequence Three: The Modern Misconception of Avoiding a Fight by All Means
Karate-Jutsu's Initial Moral Code
Modern Alterations
Violence against Women, Karate-Jutsu and Karate-Do (by Dr. Joyce Trafton)
Summary Chapter IV
Chapter V: The Path to Mastery in Karate-Jutsu-Growing into Higher Levels of Understanding Karate-Jutsu
Three Core Components of Mastery
Advanced Stage of Holistic Perception and Insight
Advanced Level of Knowledge and Understanding
"Automatic" Application of Insight and Knowledge
Milestones on a Path towards Mastery
"Inductive" vs. "Deductive" Learning Karate-Jutsu
Sensei Correct Errors and Blunders, Mistakes You Have to Correct Yourself
No More True Mastery in Today's Changed World?
Summary Chapter V
Chapter VI: The Outlook-What Happens to Karate in the 21st Century?
'Arts and Crafts Movement' as Counterculture to Industrialization Offers a Historic Blueprint
Today's Karate-Jutsu Movement Is the Counterculture to Karate-Do's Industrialization
Postwar Industrialization and Commercialization of Japanese Karate-Do
'Back to the Roots' Karate-Jutsu Movement as Countercultural Response
The Resulting New Market Structure
Sports-Karate Remains the Prevalent Type
Karate-Do Perpetuates Japanization's Lasting Impact but Will Improve with Additional Karate-Jutsu Incorporations
A Group of Dedicated Karate-Jutsu Curators Will Secure the Art's Genuine Points of Reference
List of Abbreviations
Explanation of Asian Terms
List of Photos and Graphs
References
Index
Bibliographical Note
