"Karate ni sente nashi"
("There is no first attack in Karate") - Master Gichin Funakoshi

 Picture taken from Karate-Do 'My Way Of Life'

 

The founder of modern day Karate was born in 1868 and died in 1957 when the above quote became an epitaph on his gravestone. After learning martial arts and then creating his own, he was said to have practised Karate every day until he died.

New videos have been found of Master Funakoshi which show him performing the Tekki kata. It shows us that even when the original great Karate master was training, Shotokan stances were very low (designed that way for the strengthening of the leg muscles).

For more information on Master Funakoshi, his life and how he introduced karate to the world read "Karate-Do - My Way Of Life" By Gichin Funakoshi, published by Kodansha International Ltd.

 

The Twenty Precepts of Gichin Funakoshi

 

1

 Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy

2

 There is no first attack in Karate

3

 Karate is an aid to Justice

4

 First control yourself before attempting to control others

5

 Spirit first, technique second

6

 Always be ready to release your mind

7

 Accidents arise from negligence

8

 Do not think that Karate training is only in the dojo

9

 It will take your entire life to learn Karate; there is no limit

10

 Put your everyday living into Karate and you will find "Myo" (The subtle secrets!)

11

 Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12

 Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13

 Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones

14

 The battle is according to how you move guarded and unguarded (Move according to your opponent!)

15

 Think of you hands and feet as swords

16

 When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is your behaviour that invites trouble from them.

17

 Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body positions are for the advanced.

18

 Practising a Kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19

 Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body and slowness and speed of techniques.

20

 Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every day.