Itosu Anko’s Ten Precepts of Karate

Itosu Anko’s Ten Precepts of Karate

Itosu Anko (1831 – 1915) is seen by many as the grandfather of modern kata because he was the one who first formalized the method of teaching karate techniques and introduced karate to the general public for the first time. Itosu Anko’s ten precepts of karate...
What Is the Philosophy of Karate?

What Is the Philosophy of Karate?

Various karate masters have expressed the view over time that, above all, karate is about character building and the cultivation of the mind and that its philosophy is to develop both the mind and the body and to seek virtue in thought and action. In this post, I will...
The Intended Meaning of Karate Ni Sente Nashi

The Intended Meaning of Karate Ni Sente Nashi

“Karate ni sente nashi”, one of the 20 precepts of karate written by Gichin Funakoshi, is often translated literally as “there is no first attack in karate” and many people interpret it as a karateka should never launch the first attack. In my...
Precept 2: There Is No First Strike in Karate

Precept 2: There Is No First Strike in Karate

“There is no first strike in karate” (一、空手に先手なし Hitotsu, karate ni sente nashi) is the second of the 20 precepts that Gichin Funakoshi wrote to guide his students in the development of both spiritual and technical aspects of their karate. What does...
Precept 3: Karate Stands on the Side of Justice

Precept 3: Karate Stands on the Side of Justice

Gichin Funakoshi’s third precept “karate stands on the side of justice” (一、空手は義の補け Hitotsu, karate wa, gi no tasuke) naturally follows the second precept “there is no first strike in karate”. While the second precept asks karate students...