Karate for Self-Defense: Funakoshi Gichin Sensei's Karate 'Way'

One of the things that Funakoshi Gichin Sensei recognized was that ideally, karate—in the case of self-defense for the average Japanese citizen in his day—needed to “…increase the distance from the opponent or opponents when defensive and counteroffensive measures”. This was especially in consideration of attackers concealing weapons, the commonality of multiple attackers and, indeed, against those who are grappling specialists. Keep in mind here how much time Funakoshi Sensei spent with Kano Jigoro Sensei, the founder of Judo, and in the Kodokan—the Mecca of Judo. 

In sum, he refined karate “…to cater for the self-defense of the average person with no interest in fighting”; rather, to maximize the chances of survival when suddenly attacked. 

 

This elucidates again, what I’ve written and lectured about in the past: ‘Karate was never a fighting (dueling) art, it was designed and has technically evolved (amongst the budo practitioners) purely for unarmed self-protection’.

 

Again, that brings us to probably the most famous saying in karate, again from Funakoshi Sensei: 空手道に先手無し (KARATE-DO NI SENTE NASHI). There is no first attack in karate.

 

Many people now believe that karate is not effective and, such quotes, when understood ‘out of context’ (and understanding of what real karate is) adds to this misconception.

 

The simple fact is “…How one trains their karate is how effective one will be”—and I must add here—“irrespective of ‘style’ or ryuha/kaiha”.

In saying that, some still claim that the prospect of karate being effective in street self-defense, is nil.

 

This presumption is both wrong and too simplistic. Such a blanket statement is irrefutably folly.

 

Karate is as good as any other art for self-defense—if rudimentary self-protection is the aim. And, yes, for the majority of people in the world, rudimentary self-defense is more than enough. Especially, “when they are taught properly and train to develop highly effective, adaptable and reliable skills”.

 

So, some might criticize the Shotokan Way, including 空手道に先手なし… But if they do, they have clearly never experienced true karate, nor understand ‘what karate was actually designed for’ (as stated in the opening of this article). This is a shame, but it’s not their fault, as real karate is an increasing rarity. 

 

To reiterate, karate was not designed for competitive fighting, but to deal with an unprovoked attack. Expanding on this point, it was specifically designed for normal people who simply want to mind their own business and, if absolutely necessary, stop an attacker or attackers.  That is, karate was designed ‘to survive’ not to duel.

 

Again, and of course, as stated above, “…karate will never have this capacity (its ‘original technical objective’) unless this is literally and concertedly ‘the constant objective’ in each individual’s training”. 

 

To conclude, if karate is trained properly, in, dare I say,—‘ the traditional/bujutsu way’—the practitioner WILL possess highly effective defensive and counteroffensive skills. This underpins ichigeki-hissatsu, which just like karate as a whole, is also misunderstood. This is not my opinion but ‘WHAT TRUE KARATE IS’. Overall, this is why ‘Karatedo ni sente nashi’ is so important in both defense and counteroffensive measures. True karate is not a game. Lastly, if you’d like to read more on this topic, here’s a link to an article I wrote in 2009, which ties in nicely with this one: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2009/12/traditional-karate-fighter.html

 

                     © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).