Karate-Do: My Way of Life

By: Gichin Funakoshi

Narrated by: Luke Erlenbusch

Linking the time when karate was a strictly Okinawan art of self-defense shrouded in the deepest secrecy and the present day, when it has become a martial art practiced throughout the world, is Gichin Funakoshi, the "Father of Karate-do."

Out of modesty, he was reluctant to write this autobiography and did not do so until he was nearly ninety years of age. Trained in the Confucian classics, he was a schoolteacher early in life, but after decades of study under the foremost masters, he gave up his livelihood to devote the rest of his life to the propagation of the Way of Karate. Under his guidance, techniques and nomenclature were refined and modernized, the spiritual essence was brought to the fore, and karate evolved into a true martial art.

Various forms of empty-hand techniques have been practiced in Okinawa for centuries, but due to the lack of historical records, fancy often masquerades as fact. In telling of his own famous teachers—and not only of their mastery of technique but of the way they acted in critical situations—the author reveals what true karate is. The stories he tells about himself are no less instructive: his determination to continue the art, after having started it to improve his health; his perseverance in the face of difficulties, even of poverty; his strict observance of the way of life of the samurai; and the spirit of self-reliance that he carried into an old age kept healthy by his practice of Karate-do.

©2022 Eternal Classics (P)2022 Eternal Classics

Good story with terrible pronunciation

Audible needs to find a reader who knows how to pronounce Japanese words. This autobiography of the man who dedicated his life to establish karate is an important resource, yet deserves to he read by some more knowledgeable about how to pronounce Japanese words. I’ll be happy to volunteer!

was a pleasure to read this story. my first martial art was Shotokan.

My first martial art was Shotokan.
practiced ut in my youth. It was so enriching to learn about the Masters life and the origins of Karate-do.

Great book

I am an avid martial artist of a few different arts. The story and especially the wisdom directly from Master Funakoshi is invaluable.

Narration Faux Pas

Narrator mispronounced many Japanese words and names. Made it difficult to follow the narration. Had to translate narrator’s pronunciation to the Japanese name for the techniques/anatomical references

Great book, poor performance

I gave this book 5 stars in spite of the performance. Funakoshi’s account of experiences are an invaluable asset to any martial artist. The mispronunciations of Japanese words were distracting and disrespectful to the spirit of this work, and should have been caught and corrected before publication of this audiobook.

Karateka

What a great story. I learned more on this audio than reading his book years ago.

Good book

Interesting look at the arc of his career. Very good way to look at martial arts as a lifestyle not simply something that we do.

Excellent book.

The readers pronunciation of Japanese names and words was horrible to the point where I didn’t know what he was trying to say.

Japanese pronunciation

The narrator has a good voice but he literally mispronounced every single Japanese word in the book. This continuous error makes it almost impossible to listen to. Too bad—it’s a classic book for those interested in karate.

Great perspective from the “Father of Karate” himself

An interesting and brief autobiography by one of the men most responsible for the spread of karate in Japan and beyond. Funakoshi writes in a straightforward and conversational manner that was easy to follow and thoroughly enjoyable. The narration was, for the most part, excellent. My only quibbles were the mispronunciation of some Japanese words and the occasional errant noise in the background.