in any art is only as good as the support brought to bear in the actualizing of the technique’s goal. You must set your hips correctly before your punch or kick has any meaning. It is the spaces that make solid things useful, as the Tao Te Ching shows us. What is a window without an opening? It is what is not there in a cup that makes it useful. Can a doorway be solid? The name karate means the hand is empty in the way that the universe is empty, i.e. full of promise and possibilities.
Karatedo is one of the most widely adaptable of the Japanese martial arts. Children can train in karatedo tailored for them and gain great benefit. Elderly people would find interesting exercise in a karatedo designed for them. The possibilities of karatedo are great. Just make sure you find a karatedo group that is teaching what you want to learn in the way you wish to learn it.
Although, as noted, the basic techniques are all fundamentally the same, some stark contrasts exist in attitude and level of intensity in the practice of karatedo. This is true with all closely allied arts. In Chinese t’ai chi ch’uan, for example, though there are a number of family styles (Chen, Li, Yang, Wu), only thirteen basic postures are used. Likewise, all karatedo styles will have punches, strikes, blocks, parries, leg sweeps, snap kicks, round-house kicks, thrusting kicks, jumping kicks, joint techniques, etc.
Another common theme in many karatedo classes is the spirited chanting of dojokun (precepts of the dojo), at the end of class, with each ryu having its own variation. Sometimes, dojokun are simply posted and are meant to be contemplated by the serious karatedo student. Here are Funakoshi Gichin’s Nijukun (“Twenty Precepts”):
1. Karate is not only dojo training.
2. Don’t forget that karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
3. In karate, never attack first.
4. One who practices karate must follow the way of justice.
5. First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
6. Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.
7. You must release your mind.
8. Misfortune comes out of laziness.
9. Karate is lifelong training.
10. Put karate into everything you do.
11. Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
12. Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.
13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
14. Move according to your opponent.
15. Consider your opponent’s hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
16. When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
17. Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.
18. Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
19. Do not forget (a) strength and weakness of power; (b) expansion and contraction of the body; (c) slowness and speed of techniques.
20. Devise at all times [i.e., be creative].
A more typical and “chantable” dojokun could be rendered in English as:
Attention! Seek Perfection of Character!
Attention! Be Faithful!
Attention! Endeavor!
Attention! Respect Others!
Attention! Refrain from Violent Behavior!
Since Okinawa is considered a cradle of karatedo development, a few of the major styles of Okinawan karatedo will be considered first. The umbrella organization, the Zen Okinawa Karatedo Renmei (All Okinawa Karatedo Federation), has a long and complex history. In April of 1918, Funakoshi Gichin, Oshiro Chodo, Hanashiro Chomo, Chibana Choshin, Mabuni Kenwa, Tokuda Anbun, Gusukuma Shimpan, Tokumura Masumi, and Ishigawa Ryugyo formed the Karate Kenkyu Kai (Karate Preservation Association). Also, in 1924, Miyagi Chojun, Kyoda Juhatsu, Shinzato Jinan, Shiroma Koki, Kyan Chotoku and Motobu Choki met in Naha city to form the Karate Kenkyu Association. In March 1926 the two organizations merged to form the Okinawa Karate Club.
By 1956 representatives of the four major Okinawan Karatedo styles—Uechi-ryu, Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu, and Matsubayashi-ryu—met in Naha and formed the Okinawa Karatedo Renmei (Okinawa Karatedo Federation). Finally, in February of 1967, the various organizations devoted to the study and preservation of Okinawan karatedo reorganized to form the Zen Okinawa Karatedo Renmei. This organization recognized Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Matsubayashi-ryu, Shobayashi-ryu, Tozan-ryu, Shorinji-ryu, and Chuba Shorin-ryu. The volatility of these organizations is apparent in their histories. In 1973 Goju-ryu left the organization; in 1974, Tozan-ryu left. Then on November 30, 1975, the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai joined the All Okinawa Karatedo Federation. In 1981 another rift among Okinawan practitioners occurred. One group, the Yamato-ha, joined the Zen Nihon Karatedo Renmei (part of the Japan Athletics Association), whereas the Okinawa-ha, strongly loyal to their native Okinawa, refrained from joining another karatedo association merely for the sake of being recognized by Japanese institutions.
The complex fission and fusion of karatedo groups is somehow inherent in their natures, the dynamics of which would make for a good academic study. The psycho-political turmoil caused by these political rifts can be very disorienting for students. Keep in mind, however, that although past history may be mildly interesting, living fully in the present is the point of it all. Let the political people play their games. Your job is to practice as hard as you can. Who is or is not chairman of such-and-such a karatedo organization obviously has nothing to do with the necessity of your developing good posture, strength, stance, center, breath, stamina, movement, structure, and speed, and rendering these fundamental physical virtues through the techniques of your chosen style.
To provide specific direction to finding and practicing an Okinawan style of karatedo, I will focus on Okinawan Shorin-ryu (“Young Forest Style”) and Okinawan Goju-ryu (“Hard and Soft Way”). Once you have found your way into the social context of Goju-ryu or Shorin-ryu, directions to contact other Okinawan styles, such as Chito-ryu, will be accessible. Okinawa is not that big an island.
Shorin-ryu
In 1960 the Okinawan Karate Federation promoted Nakazato Shugoro to eighth-degree black belt and kyoshi (a “spiritual” rank). Nakazato Sensei was born in Naha City on August 14, 1919. His karatedo training began in 1935 under Ishu Seiichi. In 1946 he began a long history of instruction under the famous master of karatedo Chibana Choshin Shihan. In 1951 Nakazato Sensei helped Chibana Sensei to open his Dai Ichi Dojo in Naha City. Three years later, Nakazato Sensei received his shihan menkyojo and became Master Chibana’s shihan dai (personal assistant). Nakazato’s work with Chibana Sensei was so effective that he was commissioned by Chibana Sensei to found the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Nakazato Dojo in Naha City at Aza. When Master Chibana passed away, Nakazato Shugoro inherited the leadership of Okinawan Shorin-ryu karatedo.
The office of Nakazato Shugoro, president and grandmaster of Shorin-ryu, is located at 264 Aja, Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken 900-0003, Japan. The North American Headquarters may be reached by contacting Frank Hargrove Sensei (eighth-degree black belt) at 2034 Nickerson Blvd., Hampton, Virginia, or by calling (757) 850-8500. Mr. Hargrove’s e-mail address is [email protected].
Goju-ryu
This popular style of karatedo was founded in the 1920s by Master Miyagi Chojun of Naha City. The style combines Okinawan (hard) and Shaolin kung fu (soft) techniques. Several Chinese systems, in fact, were studied by Master Miyagi and incorporated into the pure Okinawan styles (te), notably White Crane Kung Fu, Pakua Chang, I Ch’uan, and t’ai chi ch’uan. Goju-ryu is a close-range fighting style emphasizing kicking to lower-body targets, joint manipulations, and dynamic breath training along with the typical Okinawan karatedo techniques of blocking, striking, kicking, punching, and parrying.
Miyagi Chojun chose the name Goju-ryu from the third precept