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Introduction

UNTIL approximately ten years ago, karate (tae-kwon do)^* was practiced only in Far Eastern countries. Since then, it has gained such widespread attention that the whole world is becoming familiar with it. Its popularity in the United States has been brought about by many public demonstrations—by experts on TV, in public appearances, and in championship tournaments—as well as through books. However, there are still thousands interested in this art who do not know the real principles of karate. In fact, a number of unqualified karate demonstrators have given such an erroneous impression of it that many people believe that it is either a brutal method of killing people or an esoteric form of magic that gives the initiate an enormous power to destroy anything within reach of his hand.

Karate is a fighting art which employs almost all parts of the body in offensive and defensive moves. Karate techniques consist of many individual moves which are practiced as individual units and joined together for maximum efficiency in free fighting. These practice units are: basic drill in stances, kicking, punching, striking, blocking, combinations of these moves in formal patterns, prearranged attacks and counterattacks, stepping and shifting, etc. The combination of all of these results in skill at karate techniques, which is demonstrated in free fighting. Some of the moves are directly applicable to free fighting while the others develop basic speed and coordination.

One's ability to use these basic moves after they have been perfected can be seen in free fighting. Skill at free fighting is the main goal of karate, and its techniques are the karate techniques. The trainee cannot be good at karate just by learning the moves. He must train and drill extensively until each technique becomes reflexive, and he develops speed, power, accuracy, and balance. Such continued, conscientious training not only results in the ultimate in self-defense but also in a mental discipline which creates the strength of character necessary for success in all fields of endeavor.

This book is intended to fill the void in martial arts writing which has been discovered by all serious karate students and instructors as well as others interested in the sport. There have been a dozen karate books published in the English language, but none of them explain clearly the how, why, when, and where of the application of each karate move to free fighting. In this book, each move has been explained to the smallest detail so that even those working without instruction can profit by following it in their training. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are explained and many examples are cited which will give the reader a clear picture of practical values.

This book has been tailored for the competition karate practitioners because of the increased interest in championship matches throughout the world. It is hoped that it will serve as a basic instruction manual of free-fighting techniques for students and instructors, as a detailed guide for those interested in karate who are unable to have qualified instruction, and to enable the casual spectator to enjoy competition sparring through an awareness of exactly what is taking place.

Finally, this book answers the question asked by many people: "What is the difference between Korean and Japanese karate?" We find some differences in the training methods of the various schools and associations in each geographical area, but the basic difference is in the unique philosophy followed by each nation. However, while the schools remain apart in thought and styles, they are bound together by the practice of sparring, which is the only standard value in the sport recognized by all who are responsible for advancing the true art of karate.

* See Foreword