10 Rules of Karate Review

 Kris Wilder, Lawrence Kan and their 10 Rules of Karate.

I just finished reading ‘10 Rules of Karate’ by Kris Wilder and Lawrence Kane.

Not a large book in comparison to their other writings, but certainly a must read for anyone taking their approach to violent altercations seriously.

It does not present endless pages of pictures, diagrams, or ‘how-to’ explanations on how to knock people out and does not take a style-centric approach to its’ subject matter.

It utilizes their roots in Goju Ryu Karate as a springboard, a starting point, before jumping into the chaos, then it utilizes observable principles to organize said chaos and presents some very straight forward rules that can be applied to any ‘style.’

It is actually a breath of fresh air when it comes to Martial Arts Books, many of which can be dry and present a lot of the same material over and over.

It also does not stand on method-centric bragging, it does not put other methods down, it does not claim its’ own approach to be the only or best approach.

There is no selling point here other than train it, test it, think for yourself and get out of the box in which you have placed yourself… At the same time encouraging one to really understand the approach and strategy of their own system in order to better apply the rules within this book.

It acknowledges that everyone has their own built-in ‘style’ and takes ‘style’ out of the context of ‘this school’ or ‘that school.’

Much like Boxers who prefer Southpaw, those that prefer Orthodox, and those whom are comfortable utilizing both. Style is something within, not a patch on your Gi or something someone else gives you.

This book acknowledges this while, at the same time, explains how ‘schools’ can hone those inborn instincts and these rules can help direct them.

A truly great read, something that should be on the shelves of every Martial Artist.