This book claims to tell us, “The Hidden Truth Behind Karate’s Fighting Origins,” and being just a touch cynical, I planted by tongue firmly in cheek as I expected to be preached at by a reverential expert in his art. I was pleasantly surprised as I was both informed and entertained by this witty and intelligent writer who is obviously enthusiastic and fascinated by his martial art.

This book is a good solid read for those who wish to learn more and be challenged by their knowledge of Shotokan Karate. It starts off with a comprehensive history of Japan and Okinawa and the historic context in which Karate was born as well as in-depth biographies of the main characters involved in its creation in the “Shuri Crucible”, whose main role was to act as bodyguards to the king. I was surprised to discover that Karate in its present form is actually only about 150 years old and it is from this point we are given a detailed and down to earth examination of this martial art’s initial purpose and raison d’etre. Clayton is under no illusions about why we practise martial arts as he says, “people have hit each other with sticks since the dawn of time,” and is also refreshingly self-deprecating when he describes Commodore Perry’s landing party as “western barbarians.”

Apart from the detailed and modern applications of the “shuri-te bunkai”, or the application of the fighting skills that the Karate katas are designed to teach; I was most impressed with the way that Clayton was able to respectfully question and query the reverential structure of Japanese/Okinawan martial arts due to the hierarchical and unquestioning culture of Japan. Indeed, Clayton goes as far as to challenge Funokoshi’s motives for using Karate as a means to attaining, “perfection of character,” as being that which “teaches you to act Japanese.”

Overall, this is an entertaining and measured approach that puts Karate into context for the modern western reader. I thoroughly recommend this book for all Karate enthusiasts.