An interviewed article by
JKFan Vol.15 2004 Tokyo Japan
Edited & translated by SSU-USA

Apply an Element of Budo to Karate do

What do you think about karate do as budo?
Karate do has two different aspects - a traditional sense of budo and an athletic aspect, which is likely to be the most recognized aspect to the world. Though I don't see any problems at all that karate has evolved to become an athletic sport, however when it comes to an element of budo, there is the issue of the method of training and the concept of courtesy. One should be very careful when one applies both elements to karate.

I regard courtesy as one of the important concept of budo, therefore, I expect that the instructors especially referees should understand this importance and act definitely and dauntlessly. At the JKF championships in 2003, I saw many younger players at the competitions who seemed to have not been taught even a minimal leve of courtesy; who couldn't even greet properly. I believe that may others besides me came away the impression that the referees should strictly educate and instruct those young people. This could be happening when those colleges' and high schools' karate programs emphasize competitiveness above all else so they haven't been taught manners and courtesy well enough at their dojos since they would regard them as less important. On the other hand, the people at the companies' clubs or masters' clubs show more respect and know how to behave appropriately.
The older one gets, the deeper one feels the physical difficulties both in strengths and speed, and this may be a time to think about one's skills. While one is young and full of energies, one tends to depend on their strengths and put the technical side after that. However, when one matures, then one starts thinking about going back to the basic elements learned in the beginning of training. In the respect, I am so attracted to karate-do as budo.

The basics for which would make one to be back to dojo again.

There is saying "A lifetime budo," which means how one would execute karate for one's whole life. The key word to success in this big theme sounds like the basics, doesn't it?
Yes, it does. From the athletic point of view, the instructors must stop and think whether the advanced techniques are necessary for younger children. I would like to teach them the basics that will bring them back to karate as they grow up. I would rather let them have experiences in various sports while they were young than restrict their physical training and not be so concerned with advanced techniques. I thinks it would be a good way to developing physically. For those children who have started karate in their early age, but want to play baseball or soccer at middle school that is acceptable.

When they grow up if they would like to come back to karate, I would like to know that since I have taught them the basics, this will make them want to come back again. By the time those children who received their black belt, I would let them graduate from karate at that point. It may sound extreme, though I think it would not be such a bad idea. After having seen the students at the colleges or high schools' karate clubs, I have an impression that if one has experienced other sports and if one has enough stamina to endured the various physical trainings, it may make one stand out among crowd even without karate experiences. I presume that many of competitors who compete in JKF championships would be this type of the students.

There are certainly many cases where students who were training in karate while they were in school, however they finished karate after they graduated from school.
There are only a few people who would go back to dojo and teach karate to ko-hai (junior students). Considering the number of karate students in the population in this country including small children, can you imagine what it would be like if those people continue to train through out their lifetime? We would have a huge athletic population, more than any other sports, wouldn't we? I am sure that it is not only me who have though about that. It seems that the number of members of JKF are growing every year, however, it is still a small number compare to other athletic sports. It is our responsibility to give the best environment so that the people who train will continue to practice throughout their lifetime.

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