Matthew Sylvester has been training in the Martial Arts since 1991. He currently studies Ao Denkou Jutsu, Kempo Ryu Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Shunryu Kempo.

Kaicho Nakamura's book is one that stands out from many other 'Karate' books. From the presentation of the cover to the use of Kanji throughout the book, Nakamura hooks the reader into wanting more.

Aside from the usual Kata descriptions, Nakamura takes great care in explaining how important Kata are to modern day martial artists, presenting not only the meanings and origins of the Kata within his system but also their names in Kanji.

Photographs are used throughout the book and are not just of two men in pyjamas but of real-life students at work, play and in training. The colour photographs used capture the imagination and show their Honbu off to great effect, one can almost smell the polish of the floor, hear the echo of the Kiai when students practice their Kata, the stamp of feet and the sound of heavy breathing.

The chapter on Kumite is also enlightening with Kaicho Nakamura taking time to explain distancing, demonstrating the angles that are used in Seido Kumite. Seeing photographs of students sparring indicated just how far Seido might have moved from its Kyokushinkai origins in that the fighters are wearing sparring gear.

Throughout the book you are not only given the strong impression that Kaicho Nakamura loves and respects his students, but that his students love and respect Kaicho Nakamura.

This is one book that I am very happy I bought and I recommend that others do so as well