In a previous article, I delved into a comment from an individual asserting that their karate was “the strongest.” While the article may have been somewhat lengthy for some (a 2 1/2 minute read – for those who prefer an easier read, coloring books are an option), it generated comments stating that numerous fake karate…
Tag: Self-Protection
My style of karate is the strongest.
Recently someone tried to argue with me that their style of karate was the strongest. Informing me that because their athletes were successful in competition going back to the 1960’s, it was the ultimate, the strongest, and the best martial art. . Karate, has evolved into a diverse and widespread discipline. It can be practiced…
‘Karate ni sente nashi’. Apparently some people interpret this literally and often profess that ‘one must not attack first’.
The phrase “Karate ni sente nashi,” (空手に先手なし) often translated as “there is no first attack in karate,” has resonated with karate-ka for generations. . Funakoshi Gichin made this principle the second of his “Niju Kun” (二十訓) (Twenty Precepts), reminding us that “karate begins and ends with courtesy”. . However, clinging to a literal interpretation can…
You must prioritize avoiding harm over protecting material possessions.
Someone commented on one of my articles recently that today, you don’t really need training for self-defense and violence is exaggerated. . I find this type of attitude very shortsighted. And while for some, you may be lucky enough to live your whole life without ever encountering violence of any kind, unfortunately, there are those…
“Conceptually, the fence is simple and anyone, irrespective of their skill level, can adopt it.”
Let’s be clear, self-defense is NOT about brawling. It’s about preventing confrontation and staying safe. There’s nothing to gain and everything to lose by getting pulled into unnecessary fights. So remember this; avoidance is your best self-defense tool. . We know from previous articles that having a static high guard doesn’t translate well to real-world…
Most people are not really prepared or trained, physically or psychologically, for a physical encounter, it’s best to concentrate on something that will work – beginning with avoidance.
My recent article about keeping your hands up in a guard in self-defense situations, featured several responses, some stating it works in MMA, or other sports. . You’re missing the point. . A guard IS applicable in consensual fights. . In self-protection, either, you are so close that BOTH HANDS SHOULD BE WORKING, or you…
“Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense.”
It is said that the Okinawan karate pioneers, Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) and Choki Motobu (1870-1944), did not agree on many things and openly disliked each other. . Funakoshi became an advocate of Karate-do, while Motobu, an advocate of Karate-jutsu. . Motobu in his criticism of Funakoshi, stated that; “Nothing is more harmful to the world…
Self-defense is NOT about winning. You’re not in the dojo, on the mats, in a training hall, participating in a competition, rolling on the floor. Self-defense is about survival.
I have been writing articles for several years now and a misconception about self-defense continuously runs through the comments I receive. . Let’s attempt to clarify things. . Self-defense is NOT about winning. You’re not in the dojo, on the mats, in a training hall, participating in a competition, rolling on the floor. . Self-defense…
“Training in karate ultimately means not having to fight anyone.”
Yoshio Kuba, 10th dan Goju-Ryu karate, once said, “Training in karate ultimately means not having to fight anyone.” This profound statement challenges the popular perception of martial arts as solely about physical combat. Instead, it highlights a deeper principle: true control lies in not needing to use force. . Forget the street-brawler mentality. True strength…
Symbolic gesture or combative function?
The martial arts world can be a tapestry woven with intricate traditions and practices. . One intriguing thread that runs through the practice of kata, specifically, the enigmatic movements often interpreted as “salutations.” . These seemingly ritualistic gestures have some practitioners attributing them to hidden meanings and even ancient Chinese symbolism. . However, perhaps a…
Self-defense is about stopping the threat, not winning a contest. Keep it simple, keep it effective.
In my younger days, high kicks were a speciality of mine. I was very flexible, often using different high kicks to success in the dojo and in competition. And if you had told me high kicks didn’t work for self-defense, I would have strongly disagreed with you. I know several karate-ka who worked on the…
“I’ve always tried to put everything in actual use. I try to find the secret within the kata and then express it within my techniques.”
“Every day, there is a new discovery. Rather than merely hitting this way or hitting that way, i’m interested now in trying to evolve the foundations of my practice.” – Kenji Yamaki . You can learn all the technical skills you want, all the theories and concepts down to the core. But what’s the point…