Following on from my previous post regarding the Precept Karate Ni Sente Nashi – there is no first attack in Karate, this next one homes in on the idea that karate is on the side of justice; it’s what is used by the good guys, against the bad guys.
Surely those reading this publication in 1938 would be in no doubt that Karate was to be a useful tool for good?
Then again, it depends on what is defined as “Justice”, and what the “good” and the “bad” are.
Read MoreIf there is ever a resource that acts as a top-notch guide and learning tool for all karateka it must be one of my all-time favourites that I constantly reference throughout my life.
Funakoshi Gichin’s “The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate” – a.k.a. ‘the twenty precepts’ is a book that all Shotokan practitioners will have read and many Karateka from other styles will have surely heard of if not also read.
I was going to say let’s look at number one, but of course they are all “Number One” – Hitotsu, so to be pedantic I’ll start from the precept that you’d read first on the list.
Read MoreFor many, stepping into the Dojo and donning the white and black is the continuation of that elusive search for ‘perfection of character’, better technique, attainable skill and the mental calm that proceeds the enduring trial for the session.
From the first Kata to the many learnt thereafter Karate contains no secrets, only things not yet understood, left open to the imagination of the practitioner.
On the surface of the Karate training, to those not ready to receive the fullness of what Karate teaches, the physical and mental improvement is the goal. Beyond that, however, lies the greatest lesson for all who would strive on.
Read MoreIn Karate we are seeing a renaissance so to speak of the disregard or downplay of achieving grades.
Some schools are reverting back to keeping simply a three belt system, White, Brown and finally Black.
This is the same belt grading system as was devised by Jigoro Kano and subsequently adopted by Gichin Funakoshi.
However, since the introduction of coloured belts in 1935 by Judoka Kawaishi Mikinosuke onwards there grew a desire to increase testing and therefore increase belt colours.
Read MoreIn last week’s article I explored some of the history of the development of Karate and of Budo culture in Japan.
In part 2 I hope to get to the point in why I began writing such a body of text by exploring the matter of what we understand as "traditional" karate practice, where it fits into the changes made in Okinawa, and what we perceive as being Japanese.
But firstly, a little clearing up to do.
Read MoreThe Bu in question is the term for Warrior, as in Budō - Way of the Warrior. If you have trained in a Japanese style of Karate, even some Okinawan styles you will have heard this term at some point.
It is often associated with a sense of learning “traditional” Karate. I use these quotation marks for reasons that I will go into.
But first, let us take a step back in time….
Read MoreThere I was, living in Edinburgh under the grey wintering skies, and whilst nestled at my mum’s in the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside, a place I had known well all my life and was frequently awed by the scenic beauty; it was Christmas and I was still mulling over a big decision.
A month previously an Email had zipped through from Jesse of Karatebyjesse.com giving details about a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity
Read MoreI spent over 20 years practicing Shotokan at various Dojo across the UK and Australia, and many were similar in their breakdown of practice. Line-up, bow, warm-up, Kihon, Kumite, Kata, warm-down/stretching or simply sit, meditate and bow to finish.
Having experienced a few different Dojos I'd like to give you my experience of practice in an Okinawan Dojo.
Read MoreDo you wish to change? Do you wish to live your path and accept all the lessons that Karate teaches us?
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