The Roots of Karate-do and the Transformation from “Traditional” to “Modern” Training Styles

By Shojiro Koyama

Edited by Dr. Lana Susskind-Wilder

Today, there are many different styles of fighting “arts.” When I arrived in the United States in the early 1960’s, multiculturalism was at the forefront of American pop culture. Ethnic arts were a tremendous source of interest and inspiration and had been woven into all facets of American (and particularly, youth-oriented) society. As part of this wave of awareness and cultural appreciation, the Oriental arts had become very popular. Young people as well as many older individuals had taken an interest in Eastern styles and fashions. The “Oriental mystique” led, for example, to Asian influenced pop- and even sub-cultural elements. At that time, interest in the martial arts, especially those based in Oriental roots, took hold. This fascination was fueled by the success of popular martial-arts movies and the actors that starred in these Hollywood productions (e.g., Bruce Lee). Interest in the martial arts appeared to outlast the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, so that movies such as “The Karate Kid” continued to draw children and their parents into karate dojos in record numbers into the 1970’s and 80’s.

At the time of this initial Western infatuation with martial arts, one-hundred percent “sports-style” karate had not yet captured the attention of American consumers. Spectators continued to be drawn in to martial arts demonstrations by true Asian Masters. However, little-by-little, as sports-style competitive karate took hold, people’s attention was diverted by championship spectacles and tournament events. Americans were naturally more familiar with the competitive aspects of spectator sports, and tournament-style martial arts events grew ever more popular. The selection of taekwondo over karate as an Olympic sport, to some extent reflected the public’s growing fascination with the competitive aspect of the fighting arts.

When competition “sports” karate was first introduced, the one-point, two-minute match was the standard (as it remains in many traditional institutions such as the Japan Karate Association, our mother organization). There were many reasons for this type of point system, for example in terms of recognition of the importance of focused power, proper distancing and timing, and effectiveness of individual techniques. However, fans and participants sometimes became dissatisfied when they were disappointed by particular judging calls.  An unpopular judging call was final and meant the difference between winning and losing a tournament. In part, as a reaction to this concern, “extreme” fighting mixed martial arts tournaments came on the scene. Full-contact and the “knock-out” as the ultimate victory reduced the chances of ambiguity in judging calls and made determination of a winner much clearer and less controversial. Furthermore, the eight-point matches adopted by some organizations generally eliminated the concern that one objectionable judging call would be the sole determinant of the match outcome.

In the context of the modern martial arts world, which in the United States and much of the Western hemisphere is focused on full-contact, “extreme” fighting (cage fighting, kick boxing, etc.), it is often hard to remember that karate is not merely another competitive fighting style. The roots of a traditional karate style such as Shotokan are grounded in ancient Asian traditions with very firm philosophical principles that have nothing to do with victory and defeat in a spectator sport or competition ring. For example, the earliest roots of karate may be found in the practice of mind-body-spirit exercises such as yoga, which were developed 3000-5000 years ago in what is now India. Later, monks and students brought these traditions to China, where they branched into arts such as kung fu. From there, these arts were adopted and transformed into the more modern ryu such as shorin, shorei, and others. Incidentally, on Okinawa, these arts were practiced in secret among a few selected and trusted students as a means of self-defense within a legal system imposed by occupiers who did not permit the local populace to own weapons or form a military. These modernized versions of karate were ultimately synthesized and developed into the art of Shotokan by Master Gichin Funakoshi, who brought them to Japan and taught them primarily to university students.

In the early 1960s, a group of Japanese instructors trained by Master Funakoshi and his disciples were sent by the Japan Karate Association to the West to spread the art of traditional karate. This wave of instructors coincided with the rising popularity of cultural icons such as Bruce Lee and Hollywood’s newfound fascination with the martial arts. While the popular allure of martial arts in the West enabled the ultimate transformation of the Asian-inspired fighting traditions into the “extreme” styles of today, these Japanese Masters remained true to the original roots of karate-do. These roots, based in the principles that inspired our own Japan Karate Association and the Masters that represent the art of Shotokan, are those that ground us still to this day. We follow these principles and remain inspired by these roots regardless of changes in commercial taste and popular culture.

Unfortunately, difficulties can arise when training emphasizes only the technical aspects of fighting. Without a core set of principles, karate training becomes just another sport and loses any connection to its traditional roots. In recent years in order to forestall the possibility of such a disconnection, our training emphasis has evolved to encompass aspects of Zen and bushido philosophy that formed the basis of the original Asian martial arts. This “new style” of karate training combines technical elements with educational, philosophical, and spiritual fundamentals that provide meaning and value beyond mere physical exercise. We must never forget that we are representatives of a long line of dedicated Masters inspired by the ancient and spiritually uplifting principles upon which traditional karate-do is founded. Please join us as we train in the spirit of those masters and traditions.

Relaxation, Balance, and Stress Management Through Basic Karate Training

By Shojiro Koyama

Edited by Dr. Lana Susskind-Wilder

The roots of karate were laid down over three millennia ago, during development of mind-body-spirit exercises such as yoga. Modern life in the 21st century is very different from that of 3000 (or even 50) years ago. Nonetheless, physical, mental, and spiritual discipline remain relevant, perhaps even more so in many ways than in the past. Of course, physical fitness is very important, and science is beginning to understand the full benefits of exercise for mental health, the immune system, and even in terms of “successful” aging. Participation in sports can be an important component of physical fitness, especially in youth. But as we age, our brute muscle strength may not remain at its peak regardless of how much we train our bodies.

When that happens, if we can learn to rely on use of joint leverage to augment muscle power, we may find that we can maintain more of our strength than we would if we relied exclusively on the muscles themselves. A balance between tension and relaxation and a reliance on the leverage provided by the skeletal joints is the key to maintaining this source of physical strength. Karate capitalizes on the physical power of the system of joints and levers that comprises the skeletal system, and harnesses the energy of relaxed focus and the rooted stances that ground the skeleton. This interplay between relaxation and tension combined with capitalization on the power of grounding engages the core energy that can keep a body strong and powerful from the bloom youth well into the golden years of old age.

Relaxation is, of course, an important component of health and well-being throughout the lifespan. Increasingly, medical science is acknowledging the negative impact of stress on mental and physical health and the relationship between stress and immune deficiency and disease. Recently, over the past few decades, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin on maintenance of emotional balance and stress reduction. Studies indicate that rhythmic activity and exercise can naturally enhance serotonin levels. Such rhythmic exercise includes, for example, everyday karate training activities such as kihon (basics) and kata.

Proper practice of karate relies on natural movement and the principle of “mushin” or “empty mind;” in other words, the avoidance of internal “self-talk”. Most people find it very, very difficult to achieve the state of mushin. Don’t worry; spiritual principles generally do not advise us to “be perfect” but rather to “seek perfection.”  Through consistent training and lifetime exercise, your body will begin to understand these principles of its own accord. Given that stress-related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and others seem to be on the rise, the importance of engaging in activities that can help you combat anxiety and tension is quite obvious.

I think you will find that the karate that we practice in our dojo will provide you with a powerful tool to enhance your physical fitness as well as your mental and spiritual well-being. I encourage you to try out a free class, or, if you are already a student, to continue to train consistently. An experience that can touch the mind, the body, and the spirit in the way that traditional karate training does can be truly inspiring and “soul-making.” I invite you to discover these benefits for yourself by training in traditional karate-do.