December 2019

CONCENTRATED KARATE KNOWLEDGE

Fiore Tartaglia (6th Dan) describes his new book in an interview with the Südwestpresse as "my most valuable work". In it he has summarized 45 years of experience in karate, which explains the title: "The Essence of Karate."

Born in 1958, he began karate at the age of 16. At the age of 22 he moved from Naples to Göppingen in Baden-Württemberg. Since then he has worked in the district as a graphic designer and photographer, and is one of the two directors of the KarateDojo Taikikan. In his Spectra publishing house he has already published many karate books. Legendary are the black kata and bunkai books, which clarify movement sequences in detail and comprehensibly through the meticulous drawings.

The main part of the book is the first chapter "Karate in the Dojo". In it, Tartaglia describes basic principles of karate and introduces the karate techniques, waza. Which part of the body is used in the martial art, stances, defensive, hand and foot techniques, in short, the basics are described. And this in concise and clear texts, with the detailed drawings of the gifted graphic artist Tartaglia contribute immensely to the clarification. Years of karate experience and a profound understanding of the martial art enable the author to give his reader precise instructions. Of course, breathing, hara, kime, and all of the terms important in Budo martial arts are addressed.

In part 2 follows advice on karate in everyday life, such as how politeness and respect also play a role outside the dojo. Or how to take a back-friendly posture already in the morning in the bathroom to march more consciously through the day. Part 3 is entitled "The spiritual teaching" and highlights, among other things, the mental attitude, energy forms and Zen. And then in the appendix there is a valuable dictionary of all the technical terms.

All in all, an excellent reference book has been created here, which accompanies every karateka in a practical and instructive way. Incredibly detailed, step-by-step techniques are described here so plausibly that the book will establish itself as a competent guide. For all those who value precision as much as maturity of character.

Fiore Tartaglia: The Karate Essence. Spectra-Verlag, 304 pages, 29,95 Euro. More: www.budo-books.com.