Notes on Karate-Do

[Sney Noorani]

As Karate begins and ends with courtesy, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on the book Karate-Do by Gichin Funakoshi

Funakoshi is responsible for introducing the Okinawan art of Karate to Japan in the early 1900’s, a process that was accelerated by the world’s descent into World War 1 and 2.

Having read some of the other student's notes on Karate-Do I was struck by how different parts of the book resonated with different people, and re-reading my own notes I think I will be equally subjective in the facets I discuss. Let us commence with two quotes:

“The secret to victory is to know both yourself and your enemy.”

Chinese Adage

“Vanity is the only obstacle to life”

Master Matsumura, Karate-Do

The adage “The secret to victory is to know both yourself and your enemy” resonates with me because I feel a great part of knowing yourself is recognizing your vanities, they way they color your perception and guide your actions.

I’m not limiting this concept to the dojo.

Vanity manifests in many ways, ego, pride, arrogance, narcissism, and conceit. These things impede us - a thought to meditate on.

In the book Funakoshi recounts a story where he’s attacked on the road by a pair of bandits. He knows he can take them, but he has nothing to prove. Further he knew that should they come to blows he may do them deadly harm.

He uses quick wits to diffuse the situation and let’s them take what little he has. In this example Funakoshi shows no ego, instead prudence and humility, which are considered great virtues of karate.

He might have killed or maimed them. They might have done the same to him. Vanity may have led to any number of undesired outcomes. Instead everyone walked away with no great losses.

A great victory, for which Funakoshi earned the rare praise of his teachers.

Whether you train in karate or not, there’s something to be said for acknowledging your own vanities and how they may impede you.

Thank you for your time.

[Mike Oliver]

I've even found that different parts of the book have resonated with me at different times in my training. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" applies to learning from books it seems as well. Thank you for sharing.