What Is Karate?
By Ronald A. Johnson
Karate is a scientific and philosophical art of fighting that developed over many centuries in Asia. The literal translation of the Japanese characters that make up the word Karate is "empty hand." It also has the philosophical meaning of rendering oneself empty: empty of selfishness and wickedness and all other negative influences. As a fighting art, karate skillfully uses every part of the body for self-defense. It consists basically of evading or blocking an attack, then counterattacking the opponent by punching, striking, kicking, joint-twisting, or throwing in such a way as to cause with one counterattack a fracture, internal hemorrhage, unconsciousness or death. Over the years, these techniques have been continuously studied, modified and reorganized. As a result, modern karate has three divisions--as a self-defense art, as a physical art, and as a sport--all of which are composed of the same basic techniques.
As an art of self-defense, karate has a lengthy and impressive history. Karate, long ago, established itself as an effective and efficient means of unarmed combat. It was a means of self-defense against multiple and armed opponents. In karate, the feet, as well as the hands, are used for self-defense. In no other self-defense art, are they so rigorously and subtly trained. The techniques used by these practitioners are now being scientifically studied and up-dated to reach their maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Diligent training in these techniques, will prepare the modern student of karate physically and psychologically to defend himself against any antagonist.
Karate begins and ends with defense. The philosophy of karate prohibits its use aggressively. Since karate has been developed as an art of self-defense, its defensive techniques are very highly developed. Most of them are performed with the hands but there are also many blocking techniques using the feet. Many of karate's blocking techniques are ones in which the aggressor's attacking hand or foot is struck, deflected, or in some other way thwarted, so that the attack is rendered harmless. A unique feature of many karate blocks is that they are performed with 'focus'. Which means that the whole strength of the body is concentrated at the point of the block and then withdrawn. This is done with the intention of inflicting such pain on the aggressor's attacking arm or leg, that he would be unable or unwilling to continue his aggression. Another unique aspect of karate is that even attacking techniques can be used directly for blocking. The purpose of offensive techniques in karate is to render an aggressor's attack harmless. Consequently, they are never to be used against an opponent whose attacks pose no threat.
As a physical art, karate is a superb method of physical exercise and discipline. It exercises all the major muscle groups and develops strength, coordination, and agility. Kata, the formal exercises of karate, consists of a series of defensive and offensive techniques performed in a set sequence against multiple imaginary opponents. They are composed of many combinations of body shifting, blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques ranging from easy to very difficult. Kata training develops form, balance, speed, control, and alertness.
As a sport, karate is quite new. Because of the danger of powerful karate techniques, there was not way for students to test their prowess against each other. Consequently, the strength of their properly executed techniques had to be tested by board and tile breaking. However, within recent years, revisions in training methods have been made that enable students to compete safely with each other. Contest rules have also been established. Today, contestants, using a wide variety of techniques and combinations there of, with great skill, speed, distance judgment, accuracy, split-second control can enjoy the thrill and satisfaction of competition the same as all other athletes.
The ultimate goal of karate, however, is not solely development of physical prowess. It seeks to develop a person and encourage him or her to achieve spiritual and psychological fulfillment, using a sound healthy body as a medium. Karate also develops a mental attitude that is conducive to the development and growth of many character-building attributes such as respect for one's opponent, etiquette, sincerity, effort, and self-control.
---- Ronald Johnson, an early graduate of the ISKF Instructor Training Program, was a senior instructor at ISKF headquarters in Philadelphia until his death in 1998. This article was originally published in the program for the 5th World Shoto Cup Karate Championships. The photo of Mr. Johnson was taken in Amherst following training at the UMass Shotokan Karate Club, circa late 1980s.