Week Eight: Karate-Do or Do Not

It might sound ridiculous to have two words sound so similar and yet mean two radically different concepts, especially in English. But the terms Karate and Karate-Do are actually two separate concepts, as outline by Gichin Funakoshi, and as it is important to recognize the difference.

Karate is the technique of the empty hand. In previous posts I've outlined how the direct translation of the word Karate is in fact, "empty hand". But really, it depends on the characters you write it with. Traditionally, the word Karate was written with the characters for "Chinese" and "hand", but it was Gichin Funakoshi who rewrote the word in order to increase its popularity in Japan. But Karate is not Karate-Do. Karate-Do has an additional character in its writing. The '-Do' portion of the word meaning "way".

So, Karate-Do is "The Way of the Empty Hand". This is significant. Whereas Karate encompasses the techniques of the martial art, it is Karate-Do that makes all the skills an actual way of life. If we break down what makes Karate, particularly Japanese Shotokan Karate, special then we can see some examples of how those skills can be applied outside of the dojo setting.


Karate is about seeking perfection of technique, and thus Karate-Do is about Seeking Perfection of Character. Is there any greater goal? I love this tenant because it doesn't specify what character is. Rather, I like to think of it as attempting to perfect whatever it is that you feel is your optimal potential. In the field of Psychology, there is a concept known as the True Self, the Perceived Self, and the Ideal Self.

We'll start with the Perceived Self because this one is the easiest to explain is that is how both you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. It is the lens upon which you can view your own features and characteristics, and likewise the aspects of others. It is limited, and shaped by experience. Your perception you can change, however, through challenging your notions about the world and the nature of people as a whole. For example, someone whom you once thought of as beautiful you may think of as ugly. Nothing has changed for that person but your perception has changed, likely because you have changed how you perceive things.

The True Self is the objective you. It is how you actually are. Now, it may be impossible to ever truly see the True Self because it is always viewed through the lens of the Perceived Self, but it is important to know that you are not who you think you are. Chances are, for example, you're not really at good at Karate as you or others think you are. But in fact, you are measured according to others around you. If everyone else is really bad at Karate then your mediocre Karate seems more significant. Perception warps our ability to see the True Self. However, the True Self can usually be seen by others, especially people you do not normally associate with. That is why it is always good to get constructive feedback from a variety of sources regardless of what you are doing.

Last is the Ideal Self. This is who you have the potential to be. This is both your ideal, but also an objective ideal, because we can always do or be more than we think we can. History is filled with examples of people who survived extraordinary ordeals or who rose to overcome impossible challenges. It is one of the reasons our species is so amazing. You and I both have that same potential within it us, and all of those characteristics lie in the Ideal Self. We should always be moving to align our Perceived Self and True Self with the Ideal.

Karate-Do helps you do that. It helps you to become a better person because all of the same tenants of the need for practice and discipline apply in our pursuit of character, as well. So don't just do Karate, rather Karate-Do. 

Week Seven: Small Man, Big Man

First belt test was this week, and while I can't say with one-hundred percent certainty that I passed (I find out on Monday), I am walking away feeling very confident. Note, it is unusual for a white belt to test after only seven weeks of class, but because I also attended the Kangeiko winter training (which was daily for six days), the number of class hours I have attended thus far is probably about twenty. Which is still low, students should typically expect to advance after fifty hours of training at a belt level.

But I don't decide when I am ready to test, my sensei does. And I suppose he must have thought I was ready, and again, I am feeling very confident with my performance. For those that have never tested before, testing looks a little something like this:

• Start with an hour clinic before the test. You will do basic movements and some five-step sparring exercises. In my dojo there is no space for the entire school of students to do their individual katas, so you should practice these before and after the clinic in the time between sessions.
• For the actual test, all higher level blackbelts, or senpai, sit facing the training floor. There will be markers on the floor indicating where each candidate should sit. When the sensei calls your name, stand, say "Osu!", and run to the next open marker. Lower level black belts will help you if you get confused.
• Once everyone who is testing at your level is on the floor, the sensei will announce the kata he would like to perform. You respond by saying the name of the kata and bowing to the sensei. Then immediately get into ready stance (the sensei may provide a helpful reminder of this).
• You will perform your kata on your own, without the sensei counting. It can be distracting with the other students doing their kata at the same time, but just try to stay focused on your own movements and timing. Above all else, remember to kiai (shout) at the appropriate points in the kata.
• After you perform your kata movements hold the last movement until your sensei tells you to bow.
• You will be then be asked to do basic movements. Stay in the same order as when you were called for kata, and line up at the appropriate floor markers.
• Follow your sensei's commands as he will prompt you with which movement you should perform. He will count for each movement, and again, make sure to kiai as you move.
• Last is five-step sparring. Again, return to your floor marker. From there, the sensei will pair you off with another student testing and together you will go through the sparring movements. If attacking, remember to kiai.
• At the end of five-step sparring you will bow to your partner, and then bow to the sensei and other senpai. Then run back to sit down with the students when dismissed.

And, that is pretty much it. Breathe a sigh of relief and give yourself a pat on the back because you survived your first test. As you advance in levels, the testing requirements become more and more rigorous. Watch the upper levels as they test and mentally prepare yourself because one day you'll be testing at that level too!

A last note, as this is my first completed test, I have a strong urge to go out and tell everyone about my accomplishments. I'm proud of myself, so it is understandable. But, Gichin Funakoshi tells us not to flaunt our rank or announce it. Instead, you should be like the "small man", not like the "big man".

When the big man earned his first black belt, he ran home and told all of his family and friends.
When he won his second black belt, he ran to his rooftop and shouted it for all of his neighbors to hear.
When he won his third black belt, he paraded himself through the streets, announcing his accomplishments to everyone he met.

However, when the small man earned his first black belt, he merely humbly bowed and then returned home in silence.
When he won his second black belt, he gently nodded to the sensei, before returning home for meditation.
When he won his third black belt, he thanked his sensei for his teachings, and then slipped out of the dojo unnoticed before anyone could pay him any attention.

Gichin Funakoshi reminds us to be like the small man. Granted, Funakoshi wrote this analogy in a time when karate was practically forbidden in Japan. Additionally, rules of martial conduct were different in Japan at the time as well, with individuals challenging others to combat in order to prove their honor. So, it was advantageous for one not to announce their karate skills.

Despite this historical lens, one doesn't want to announce to the world their karate level now either, if not asked. It can, like in nineteenth century Japan, lead to unwanted competition and attention. As such, it is best to just stay "under the radar" if one can help it.

Week Six: D-Fence

This past weekend showcased the power of a strong Defense, as the National Football League had its fiftieth championship game, Superbowl 50! This year saw the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers. Or, in strategic terms, the League's strongest Defensive squad took on the League's strongest Offensive team. The outcome and how it relates to karate? Let's get to that.

I've written about this before, but blocking in karate isn't blocking in the sense that we understand it in the English language. Rather, the term for a karate block is actually translated from Japanese to "receive". Which is any interesting concept. Essentially it means that when "blocking", one doesn't necessarily try to deflect or prevent the blow, though this may be the case in some circumstances, but rather the intention of the block is to meet the blow.

One doesn't retreat in karate. When moving backwards for example, one's energy doesn't move backwards also, away from an opponent. Rather one's energy is also directed forward, towards the opponent, even when the body is physically moving backwards. Blocking represents the same concept. When someone attempts to strike you, you don't try to avoid the attack. (Though, in practical terms this may be what you are doing.) Rather, instead, you are meeting the attack with your own blow, matching your opponent's intensity, and setting them up for your reverse strike.

Now, how does all of this relate to football? Well, on last Sunday, the Broncos beat the Panthers. In other words, Defense trumped Offense. What we say in that game, is that the Broncos seemed willing to take very few risks when it came to their offensive game. There were no hail mary passes or funky fakes. Rather, the Broncos played a very conservative run game, with only a few short passes. The Broncos Quarterback, Peyton Manning, made no attempts to try and force the ball into a situation where it could potentially be intercepted.

The Broncos defense, however, were unrelenting. However Carolina acted, the Broncos defense was ready to react. Cam Newton, the Panther's quarterback, found himself sacked repeatedly, as the Broncos continuously found ways around the Panther's offensive line. Now sure, the Panthers managed to get off a few good throws, but they were few and far between, and before long you could sense the frustration that was building for them as a unit.

So, what is the morale here? Defenses win football game, and defenses win karate matches too. If you want to be a good karateka you need to work on two things: your blocking techniques and your stances. Why your stances? Because chances are even the best karateka will have a few punches slip through their defense and you want to make sure that when you are hit, and you will be hit, that your stance is strong enough that you won't fall over.