n Okinawa, a miraculous and mysterious martial art has come down to us from the past.

It is said that one

who masters its techniques can defend himself readily without resort to weapons and can perform
remarkable feats: the breaking of several thick boards with his fist or ceiling panels of a room with a kick.
With his shuto ("sword hand") he can kill a bull with a single stroke; he can pierce the flank of a horse with
his open hand; he can cross a room grasping the beams of the ceiling with his fingers, crush a green
bamboo stalk with his bare hand, shear a hemp rope with a twist, or gouge soft rock with his hands.

Some consider these aspects of this miraculous and mysterious martial art to be the essence of Karate-
do. But such feats are a small part of karate, playing a role analogous to the straw-cutting test of kendo
[Japanese fencing], and it is erroneous to think that there is no more to Karate-do than this. In fact, true
Karate-do places weight upon spiritual rather than physical matters, as we shall discuss. True Karate-do
is this: that in daily life, one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in
critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.

Karate-do is a martial art peculiar to Okinawa in its origins. Although it has in the past tended to be
confused with Chinese boxing because of the use of the chinese "kara" character in its earlier name, in
fact for the past thousand years, the study and practice of masters and experts, through which it was
nurtured and perfected and formed into the unified martial art that it is today, took place in Okinawa. It is,
therefore, not a distortion to represent it as an Okinawan martial art.

One may ask why the chinese "kara" character has been retained for so long. As I discuss in the section
"The Development of Karate-do," I believe that at the time the influence of Chinese culture was at its peak
in Japan, many experts in the martial arts traveled to China to practice Chinese boxing. With their new
knowledge, they altered the existing martial art, called Okinawa-te, weeding out its bad points and adding
good points to it, thus working it into an elegant art. It may be speculated that they considered "kara" (with
the chinese character) an appropriate new name. Since, even in contemporary Japan, there are many
people who are impressed by anything that is foreign, it is not difficult to imagine the high regard for
anything Chinese that prevailed during that period in Okinawa. Even at the time of the present writer's
youth, lack of a full set of Chinese furniture and furnishings in one's home
was a serious impediment to the social influence of any leading family. With
this background, the reason for the choice of the chinese "kara" character,
meaning "Chinese," as a simple case of exoticism is apparent.

Following tradition, the writer has in the past continued to use the chinese
character. However, because of the frequent confusion with Chinese boxing,
and the fact that the Okinawan martial art may now be considered a
Japanese martial art, it is inappropriate, and in a sense degrading, to
continue use of the old "kara" in the name. For this reason, in spite of many
protests, we have abandoned the use of it to replace it with the new
character KARA.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF KARA

The first connotation of kara indicates that karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with
his bare hands and fists without weapons.

Second, just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley that echoes a
sound, so must one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a
clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives. This is another meaning of the
element kara in Karate-do.

Next, he who would study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle.
However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage
expressed in the saying, "Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!" Thus, he is like the green bamboo
stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate. This meaning
is also contained in the element kara of Karate-do.

Finally, in a fundamental way, the form of the universe is emptiness (kara), and, thus, emptiness is form
itself. There are many kinds of martial arts, judo, kendo, sojitsu ("spear techniques"), bojitsu ("stick
techniques"), and others, but at a fundamental level all these arts rest on the same basis as Karate-do. It
is no exaggeration to say that the original sense of Karate-do is at one with the basis of all martial arts.
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form itself. The kara of Karate-do has this meaning.

The Dojo Kun of Shotokan in Japanese:

道場訓
Dohjoh kun
1. 人格完成に勤むること
Jinkaku Kansei ni Tsutmuru koto
2. 誠の道を守ること
Makoto no michi wo mamoru koto
3. 動力の精神を養うこと
Dohryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto
4. 礼儀を重んずること
Reigi wo omonzuru koto
5. 1.血気の勇を戒めること
Kekki no yuu wo imashimeru koto
Usual English Version
1. Seek perfection of character
2. Be faithful
3. Endeavor for effort
4. Respect others
5. Refrain from violent behavior
The Japanese doesn’t say that. It is not what the Japanese read when they see those
characters. It has a different meaning created specifically for Western ears.

Actual Translation of Japanese Words

1. Strive to complete your character (mature or grow-up)
2. Protect the road/way of the truth
3. Foster a spirit of effort
4. Respect the principles of etiquette
5. Guard against impetuous courage (suppress boldness of the blood
spirit/bloodthirsty spirit)
What Japanese Hear from the Japanese Version
1. Learn self-discipline and good sportsmanship
2. This is the best way to do Karate
3. Inspire everyone around you to try hard by setting an example
4. Be polite to other people (whether you actually respect them or not is irrelevant –
do the behaviors)
5. Stay calm, reserved, and detached (whether you are being violent or not is
irrelevant as long as you are not embarrassing yourself by losing control)

THE DOJO KUN

Spoken with pride

A Dojo Kun is a verbal affirmation that is recited by all of the students, usually at the end of
each training session.

The purpose of the Dojo Kun is to remind all of the students in the dojo, regardless of their
rank, that the physical, mental, and spiritual growth that they enjoy as a by product of their
karate training, must also extend beyond the dojo's walls.

By that I mean, in order to derive the true benefits of Shotokan karate-do, each student
must take the underlying principals of this art form and make them a regular part of their
daily life.

The following Dojo Kun is taken from the 20 Precepts of Master Gichin Funakoshi, it should
be recited out loud one line at a time, first by the dojo's sensei or senior sempai, and then
repeated immediately afterwards, in unison, by all of the students in attendance prior to the
final bows at the end of each class.

SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER

BE FAITHFUL

ENDEAVOUR

RESPECT OTHERS

REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR

And when you leave your dojo, always be sure and take the meaning of those words out
into the world with you. Because it is in the every day world that is outside of those four
walls that you train behind each day, that the true meaning of the dojo kun is truly meant
to be practiced.

The following explanations set forth the meaning of the Dojo Kun.

1. Seek Perfection of Character

Character
This means that the art of karate is more than just physical. All beginners, especially the
young, should be taught the importance of character building through discipline and
rigorous training. For the beginner, the character building process begins with perfecting
techniques through repetition. The spirit to fight will be achieved as one gains more
confidence through development of stronger techniques. Train to bring out the spirit, not
only to fight but to overcome personal problems especially in times of sickness, domestic
crisis or business problems. It is a long path to develop these spiritual values but once the
concept is understood and experienced it will provide a lifetime benefit of inner strength and
peace.
2. Be Faithful

Loyalty
To be faithful is a strong samurai tradition and an extension of the Confucius influence on
the family and martial arts. The faith to be shown is in your sensei and dojo. The student
must always be faithful to his sensei and follow in much the same way as a medieval
samurai was bound to follow his feudal lord to the death without hesitation. While this may
seem unusual in the present day, it is unreasonable to expect a sensei to teach all he knows
to a student who is likely to leave for the slightest reason. The student must prove his
loyalty over the years. The faith and loyalty extended to the sensei will be rewarded, in that
a greater amount of knowledge and wisdom will be passed on to the student and this bond
between sensei and student is extremely valuable and is the basis of the learning
relationship.

3. Endeavor

Effort
To endeavor means complete dedication and commitment necessary to achieve mastery of
the art. In no case is mastery possible without strenuous effort and sacrifice on the part of
the practitioner. The endeavor must be of a sincere nature and not just superficial. Serious
effort on the part of the student will be recognized by the sensei who will in turn spend
more time with him or her.

4. Respect Others

Etiquette
Respect for others is an important part of the Japanese and Okinawan culture therefore
common to the martial arts. Gichin Funakoshi stressed that karate begins and ends with
etiquette. He also stated that without courtesy there is no dojo. This is a reflection of the
formal nature of the Japanese people and may be observed bowing during training as well
as at home or office. Dojo etiquette is well defined. You bow correctly and show respect in
everything you do and everywhere you go. Respect is extended to all...senseis, parents,
educators, law, deceased, nature, etc.
5. Refrain From Violent Behavior

Control
A trained fighter is a person with a fierce competitive spirit and great strength so it is unfair
to use it against an untrained person. The karate-ka's spirit is unbeatable and must use his
knowledge only for the sake of justice. A person of character can walk away from a fight
because he is in control of his emotions and is at peace with himself. He does not have to
test his abilities on the street. He wins without fighting and he will have no regrets because
no one will be injured. Refraining from violent behavior is hard to explain to many
Westerners because of their environment, or the attitude of winning tournaments, and they
want to do it as quickly as possible which is against the principles of karate-do and dojo
kun. It is therefore necessary for instructors to constantly remind the students of the
importance of the dojo kun.
**************

The following is another example of a Dojo Kun, only this one has the Japanese terminology
included and has been very kindly provided to me with the kind permission, and courtesy of,
Sensei Charles Gidley, 6th Dan, of British Shotokan Kyogi in England :

Seek Perfection of Character

Hitotsu! Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto.
(To strive for the perfection of character.)

Be Faithful
Hitotsu! Makato no michi o mamoru koto.
(To protect/defend the paths of truth.)

Endeavor to excel.
Hitotsu! Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.
(To foster the spirit of effort.)

Respect others
Hitotsu! Reigi o omonsuru koto.
(To honor the principles of etiquette.)

Refrain from violent behavior

Hitotsu! Kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.
(To guard against impetuous courage.)

Remember
Regardless of when you say the dojo kun,
or in what language you speak it,
say it with pride and say it like you mean it.
Part the clouds - see the way.