In the past decade, the global appeal of karate‑do has surged remarkably. Its allure extends to college students, educators, artists, business executives, and civil servants alike. Even law enforcement officers and members of Japan’s Self‑Defense Forces have embraced this art, and numerous universities have incorporated it into their compulsory curriculum—a trend that grows steadily each year.
Yet, as its popularity has expanded, so too have some unfortunate misinterpretations and misguided performances. Karate is often mistaken for Chinese‑style boxing, and its deep connection with the original Okinawan Te remains insufficiently recognized. Many view it merely as a spectacle in which two fighters engage in savage clashes, or as an exhibition where competitors brawl as if in a form of boxing that employs kicks, or even as a display of strength when someone breaks bricks or other hard objects with head, hand, or foot.
It is deeply regrettable when karate is practiced solely as a fighting technique. Although its fundamental methods have been refined through long years of study and relentless practice, their true efficacy emerges only when the spiritual dimension of this art is acknowledged and prioritized. I am heartened to see those who recognize that karate‑do is an authentic Oriental martial art and who train with the proper respect and attitude.
Delivering a single, devastating blow with a fist or a kick has indeed been the hallmark of this ancient Okinawan martial art. Yet even its early practitioners placed greater emphasis on the spiritual aspects than on mere physical techniques. Training means nurturing both body and spirit, and, above all, one must treat one’s opponent with courtesy and proper etiquette. It is not enough to fight with all one’s power; the real objective in karate‑do is to combat injustice.
Both Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, revered masters of karate‑do, repeatedly emphasized that the primary purpose of this art is to cultivate a sublime, humble spirit alongside the strength to vanquish formidable foes. While Funakoshi taught the nurturing of an elevated spirit, Nakayama underscored the importance of developing power sufficient to overcome even a ferocious wild animal with a single blow. True mastery arises only when both these aspects are perfected.
Karate has long been valued as both an art of self‑defense and a means of enhancing and maintaining health. Over the past twenty years, however, a new facet has emerged—sports karate—which is steadily carving its own niche within this venerable tradition.
In sports karate, contests are organized to assess the abilities of participants. Regrettably, there is a tendency to place excessive emphasis on winning, leading some practitioners to neglect the rigorous practice of fundamental techniques in favor of prematurely engaging in free sparring (jiyū kumite).
Such a focus on victory inevitably distorts the basic techniques that are the hallmark of karate‑do. A person who embarks on free sparring before mastering the fundamentals will soon be outpaced by one who has diligently honed these essential skills. Simply put, haste makes waste—there is no substitute for a methodical, step‑by‑step progression in learning and practicing the basics.
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