'The secrets of karate are contained in the kata,' said the masters of old. What did they mean? For many years, people have struggled to understand where padwork, grappling, ground-fighting and even high kicks fit into traditional karate.While many people understand the purpose of individual kata, this book demonstrates how the various kata work together to create a logical fight progression from stand-up striking to close-quarter grappling and ground-fighting. "Four Shades of Black" decodes the kata in a radically different way, revealing how the traditional arts set out to develop a complete and rounded fighter. If you think you know karate, think again. AUTHOR: Gavin Mulholland 5th Dan Okinawan Goju Ryu, Chief Instructor Daigaku Karate Kai London, has spent over thirty years in the martial arts. Having been an instructor for one of the Uk's leading close protection companies, spent 15 years on the 'door', and lectured in psychology for two London Universities, Gavin has successfully trained traditional karate students to fight in the cage and was inaugurated into the Combat Hall of Fame in 2002
