This book is considered by many experts as the ultimate guide to IKA Karate in the styles of Shotokan and Gosoku Ryu, and a "must read" for all Karate prac- titioners. It includes numerous photos and comprehensive information that will vast- ly improve the practitioner's ability. Due largely to their effectiveness, Shotokan and Gosoku Ryu are two of the world's most popular Karate systems. Soke Takayuki Kubota designed this method to overcome a larger and stronger opponent in life-or- death encounters. The purpose of this book is to provide background information on Karate training and its objectives. The art of Karate purposely emphasizes moral abil- ities, rather than physical skills that are in turn viewed as martial virtues. Gosoku Ryu is not a new style of karate-do. It is an evolutionary advancement and re-blending of several traditional methods of empty-hand combat.