Fundamentals of Karate

Dojo-kun

The Dojo-Kun is a set of five moral principles that serve as an ethical guide for practitioners, reminding them that karate is not just a martial art, but also a path of personal development. These principles emphasize values ​​such as character, discipline, respect, self-control, and perseverance, teaching that the true goal of training is to form better people both inside and outside the dojo.

一、人格完成に努むること
HITOTSU. JINKAKU KANSEI NI TSUTOMURU KOTO
Seek Perfection of Character

一、誠の道を守ること
HITOTSU. MAKOTO NO MICHI WO MAMORU KOTO
Be Faithful

一、努力の精神を養うこと
HITOTSU. DORYOKU NO SEISHIN O YASHINAU KOTO
Endeavor

一、礼儀を重んずること
HITOTSU. REIGI O OMONZURU KOTO
Respect Others

一、血気の勇を戒むること
HITOTSU. KEKKI NO YU O IMASHIMURU KOTO
Refrain From Violent Behavior

Niju-kun

The Niju-Kun is a set of twenty precepts that express the profound philosophy of karate. They were taught by Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered the founder of modern karate. These principles go beyond combat technique and address mental discipline, strategy, humility, and self-control. The Niju-Kun teaches that karate should be applied to all aspects of life, encouraging the practitioner to develop wisdom, emotional balance, and respect for others.

1. 空手道は礼に始まり礼に終る事を忘るな
   KARATE-DO WA REI NI HAJIMARI REI NI OWARU KOTO A WASARUNA

   Karate-do begins with Rei and ends with Rei. (Rei means courtesy / respect)

2. 空手に先手なし
   KARATE NI SENTE NASHI
   There is no first strike in karate.

3. 空手は義の補け
   KARATE WA, GI NO TASKE
   Karate is an aid to justice.

4. 先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ
   MAZU ONORE O SHIRE, SHIKASHITE TA O SHIRE
   First know yourself then know others.

5. 技術より心術
   GIJITSU YORI SHINJITSU
   Spirit comes first, technique second.

6. 心は放たん事を要す
   KOKORO WA HANATAN KOTO O YOSU
   Always be ready to set your mind free.

7. 禍は懈怠に生ず
   WAZAWAI WA KETAI NI SEIZU
   Misfortune comes out of laziness accidents arise from negligence.

8. 道場のみの空手と思ふな
   DOJO NOMINO KARATE TO OMOU NA
   Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. 空手の修業は一生である
   KARATE-DO NO SHUGYO WA ISSSHO DE ARU
   It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. 凡ゆるものを空手化せよ其処に妙味あり
    ARA YURU MONO O KARATEKA SEYO; SOKONI MYOMI ARI
    Put Karate into your everyday life any you will find its subtle secrets.

11. 空手は湯の如し絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に還る
    KARATE WA YU NO GOTOKU TAEZU NETSU O ATAE ZAREBA MOTONO MIZUNI KAERU
    Karate is like boiling water, without heat, it returns to its tepid state.

12. 勝つ考は持つな負けぬ考は必要
    KATSU KANGAE WA MOTSUNA; MAKENU KANGAE WA HITSUYO
    Do not think that you have to win – rather that you do not have to lose.

13. 敵に因って轉化せよ
    TEKKI NI YOTTE TENKA SEYO
    Make adjustments according to your opponent.

14. 戦は虚実の操縦如何に在り
    TATTAKAI WA KYO-JITSU NO SOJU IKAN NI ARI
    The outcome of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength.

15. 人の手足を剣と思へ
    HI TO NO TE-ASHI WA KEN TO OMOE
    Think of hands and feet as swords.

16. 男子門を出づれば百万の敵あり
    DANSHI MON O IZUREBA HYAKUMAN NO TEKI ARI
    When you leave home, there are a million enemies waiting for you.

17. 構は初心者に後は自然体

    KAMAE WA SHOSHINSHA NI ATOWA SHIZENTAI
    Beginners must master low stances and posture, natural body positions are for advanced students.

18. 形は正しく実戦は別物
    KATA WA TADASHIKU, JISEN WA BETSUMONO
    Practice prescribed sets of techniques exactly; actual combat is another matter.

19. 力の強弱体の伸縮技の緩急を忘るな
    CHIKARA NO KYOJAKU TAI NO SHINSHUKU WAZA NO KANKYU
    Do not forget the employment of withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.

20. 常に思念工夫せよ
    TSUNE NI SHINEN KU FU SEYO
    Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of karatedo (the Way of karate).

Kihon, Kata e Kumite (The 3 "K"s)

Kihon

Kihon represents the technical fundamentals of karate. It is the repetitive practice of basic movements, such as punches, kicks, blocks, and stances. Through Kihon training, the practitioner develops coordination, strength, balance, precision, and muscle memory. This technical foundation is essential, as all the more advanced movements of karate originate from these fundamentals. A good mastery of Kihon ensures that the karateka executes techniques correctly, efficiently, and with greater control.

Kata

Kata is an organized sequence of movements that simulates combat against opponents. Each kata has specific attack and defense techniques that represent real-life applications of karate. In addition to perfecting technique, kata training develops concentration, rhythm, posture, breathing, and strategic understanding of techniques. Kata also preserve the traditional teachings of the martial art, transmitting knowledge passed down through generations of masters.

Kumite

Kumite is the combat practice in karate, where practitioners apply the techniques learned in real-life confrontation situations. It can be performed in a controlled manner for training or in sports competitions. In kumite, the karateka develops reflexes, timing, distance, strategy, and self-control. More than defeating the opponent, the goal of kumite is to learn to apply techniques efficiently, always maintaining respect, discipline, and the safety of the practitioners.