I am pleased that my new book is finally available: “An Annotated Bibliography of Funakoshi Gichin. Including a list of selected books and articles“ (Lulu, 2025).
Considered by many to be the father of modern karatedō, Funakoshi Gichin (1868–1957) is undoubtedly one of the most important pioneers of modern karate, both as a martial art and as a sport practised by millions of people around the world. This book is his first annotated bibliography, which will be of use not only to martial arts scholars, but also to readers, collectors, museums, archives, and libraries. It lists more than 30 of his works and also provides an overview of available translations and commentaries. The whole compilation is based on an extensive literature search and review of the most relevant primary and secondary sources.
This work would not have been possible without a number of supporters: Heiko Bittmann, Guillaume Erard, Wolfgang Herbert (also foreword), Silvio Marche, Patrick McCarthy, Lance Gatling, Mario McKenna, Motobu Naoki, Nishihira Hirotoshi, Mark Tankosich, and Roberto Ugolini. Many thanks to all of them! A special thank you goes to Alcis Szabo-Reiss, who has taken great care in creating the cover illustration.
Personal note: My engagement with the history of karate and its key figures is driven by passion—and, admittedly, it is also a personal pastime. It is not a professional business. Despite thorough research, cross-checking, and the generous support of friends who help with proofreading, errors can and do occur. There are no professional editors involved, nor is there any formal editorial oversight. As I’ve stated elsewhere, I sincerely regret any inaccuracies or misrepresentations. They are never intentional, and I take full responsibility for them. This also applies to the current work: in some places I have worked negligently and some mistakes did slip through, but I have corrected them promptly. For those as well, I offer my sincere apologies. I warmly welcome feedback—if you notice an error or have concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I will investigate immediately and make corrections where necessary. Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” With this spirit in mind, I will continue to pursue my passion wholeheartedly.
Investigations into the history of karate 