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Introduction

Karate is the defense of one's self from an attack without the aid of any weapon, such as a club, knife, or gun. It is the use of one's own body in a perfectly controlled and precise manner performing highly skilled and intricate movements in a moment of an attack by one or more persons.

The literal meaning of the word "karate" is empty hand or open hand. A person extending a hand in a clenched fist signifies violence (or the past or present performance of a violent act). A person extending the same hand, open, signifies a definite sign of friendliness (as in the shaking of hands). If the need arises, the same open hand can become a violent and devastating instrument of self-defense.

Karate originated in India, and was introduced into China 3,000 years ago. Through a period of time, as it was taught to the people, karate spread north, south, east, and west. Techniques depended upon the locality of its study—if the people studying karate were tall, they specialized in leg techniques; if on the other hand they were short, the specialization was in hand techniques. Thus there are many theories as to the correct movements in karate.

The techniques of karate are called kata in Japanese. A kata consists of a number of offensive and defensive techniques with a minimum of twenty movements, with each kata more advanced than the last. Generally these kata are in a form of a style named after the person who perfected them. The thinking of one person created friction among the various karate masters.

In Shoto-Kan Karate these questions or conflicts of thought are eliminated, for the knowledge is not of one individual and one mind. Through the efforts and leadership of Karate Master Funa-koshi Gichin, there is the organization of movements and thoughts of many other karate masters of his time. Mr. Funakoshi spent many years of careful study of these masters' skills in developing Shoto-Kan Karate.

Shoto-Kan Karate involves twenty-nine kata, each of which is more intricate than the last, each involves entirely different and separate movements, and each is more beautiful than the last. Some kata are very strong, very violent, and very powerful, whereas others are very graceful, very smooth, and very beautiful. Each serves its own purpose, each has its own separate merits. The study and perfection of one kata prepares the student for the next, right up the ladder to the rank of black belt and finally to master.

Karate was developed by the masters, through the centuries, by the application of techniques against definite attacks. These attacks were quite frequent and a part of their way of life. Those who survived these attacks did so by the proper application of the techniques they developed. These techniques were retained, for in actual proven use they were definitely effective. Other techniques were discarded, for injuries and sometimes death followed their application. These masters learned the hard, precise way the techniques of karate in order to survive.

The masters perfected karate. What fool is there today who can step forward and perfect perfection?