Valery A. Natarov 

Born in 1961, Moscow, Russia
Professional orientalist. Moscow State University graduate. Studied at "Tokai University" (Japan). For several years worked as a special correspondent for "Literaturnaya Gazeta" to Japan.
Author of more than 300 publications in russian and foreign press.
Wrote two books: "The Japan-man notes"(1999), "Oss! 20 years in karate"(2001) and "Kenso taijutsu"(2002) .
Good educational background and practical experience of studying Japan - its culture, mentality of people, broad contacts with the martial arts Masters of Japan, fluent Japanese - both oral and written, - all this gives Natarov opportunity to make deep independent research of the original materials.
And besides, Natarov is a serious karate Master. He had been practicing karate for 22 wears and5 of them -directly in Japan.
He is a "black belt" owner in three karate styles:
· "Wado-ryu" (1983) -exam at Tokyo hombu dojo (headquaters) directly to Hironori Otsuka, the Founder of "Wado-ryu"
· "Joshinmon Shorinryu"(1996) exam at Tokyo hombu dojo (headquaters) directly to Hoshu Ikeda, the Founder of "Joshinmon"
· "Karate-do Konno-juku"(2000) exam at Tokyo hombu dojo (headquaters) directly to Konno Satoshi, the Founder of "Karate-do Konno-juku"
And also:
· The 27th All Japan karate "Joshinmon" Championship winner (kojin kumite- free fightings)
· Three years experience of teaching karate and kenso taijutsu (as a Moscow representative of Joshinmon karate clubs and then as an official representative of "Konno-juku karate-do" in Russia.