Some thoughts on Karate-Do (PART TWO)

 

One thing I do as an instructor, both here in Japan and teaching seminars abroad, is “teaching kihon specifically to improve kata and kumite”.

To have truly beautiful karate—especially in the bujutsu sense—“…kihon is for kumite, kata is for kumite”; furthermore, “…‘kumite is based on kihon and kata’ in order for kime to be fully expressed and applied in a freestyle exchange”.

Indeed, and to clarify, in the bujutsu context a ‘freestyle exchange’ means a real-world self-defense situation.

How this be so with seemingly archaic motions which we call karate?

The answer is the above based formula underpinned by the constant seeking of ichigekki-hisatsu with all karate-waza and, in this process, physically understanding the effective application of each waza, and having or developing sufficient physicality to do so.

As an instructor, I find that most people lack one or more of the above aspects; therefore, a big part of my job is to help them fill this or these gaps. To use the old analogy, “Rather than giving the person a fish, teach them how to fish”.

Accordingly, if I have coached anyone just one time, they should never have to come to me again. This is my aim as an instructor.

Taken as a whole, karate as a self-defense art/system is second to none when practiced as bujutsu. I must add here, not only Shotokan but all of the other authentic styles as well. That being said, as a competitive dueling art/fighting sport, Shotokan is inferior to many arts which were specifically designed or evolved for this purpose.

One obviously famous example of this is that of Oyama Masutatsu Shihan (Sosai), who developed Kyokushinkai style. He effectively formulated a competitive fighting/dueling form of karate, which until that time did not exist (at least not on large-scale organizational level).

Interestingly, in Hawaii in 1993, I got the wonderful opportunity to train with Master Oyama’s student Bobby Lowe Shihan. The class was physically very hard, however, at the end he taught traditional self-defense. He explained that Oyama Sosai, before he died, assigned him to bring traditional self-defense into Kyokushin.

Ironically, that’s what we have in Shotokan and also the other ‘traditional’ styles such as Goju, Shito, Wado, etcetera.

In other words, Kyokushin and its derivatives filled their gaps due to their prime focus on competitive fighting. Respect to our kyokushin friends and the wisdom of Master Oyama!

Again, Shotokan (without significant adjustments) is not suited for the kyokushin tournaments, the kickboxing ring, mma, and so on. Nevertheless, it is “…ideal for the average person who simply needs rudimentary self-defense skills”.

The fact is that most people can’t afford, nor want, to be getting badly hurt in daily training and/or tournaments. Irrespective of one's thoughts about Kyokushin, its style and tournaments, there is no question that it produces tough 'fighters'.

Returning to Shotokan, it is critical to highlight that "...unless effective ‘full contact techniques’ are trained, one’s karate will be useless"—even if it ‘looks impressive’. Thus, even if one doesn't engage in full-contact sparring with others, there is no choice but to constantly be training full-contact on various forms of equipment.  

Hence, within the formula mentioned in the start of this article, kihon includes regular full contact impact training on the sandbag, impact shields, focus mitts and so forth. Kihon also includes specific strength training for karate techniques, especially for those with smaller physiques or who have less muscle.

Again, as an instructor, this is my job to consult people so that they maximize their potential and, consequently, avoid being killed if ever needing to use their karate outside the dojo.

In the case of Shotokan karateka wishing to ‘get in the ring’... It is my job to send them to the appropriate style or art (depending on the form of competitive fighting they wish to do). It would be unethical for me to pretend Shotokan is something that it isn’t. Consequently, over the years I’ve recommended people (in my dojo) to go to Kyokushin, Boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai and other dojo/gyms. Likewise, if someone is seeking success in WKF kumite competitions, I send them to instructors who specialize in this.  

To address the aspect of kumite competition… Yes, of course we have tournaments. But they are ‘traditional karate specific’. Yes, they are hard and, certainly, not for all practicing karateka (as they naturally also have dangers, especially in classic ‘shobu ippon’); nevertheless, it is obviously that they are very different from say ‘kick boxing’.

To conclude, kihon is kumite, and kata is for kumite. But the meaning of kumite, in traditional karate (dento/koryu/bujutsu karate) is self-defense actions. The traditional competition kumite is a modern aspect of karate and is not kyogi (sports) but, rather shiai; that is, a means to test oneself. This is why it is both 術 (Jutsu) and 道 (Dou); moreover, this underpinned the majority of Master Funakoshi Gichin’s writings.

Above and beyond self-defense and karate technique itself, Shotokan is a beautiful art form and, what my seniors here in Japan refer to as (what I can only translate into English), ‘MOVING MEDITATION’. It can be practiced throughout one’s life, began at any age, and is deeply satisfying both physically and mentally.

In these regards, Shotokan is the perfect art for the majority of people; hence, its unequaled global popularity as a ryuha.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).