The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulate cosmetics in the United States, define cosmetics as:
Intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the bodies structure or functions.
Due to the absence of a regulatory agency, the use of cosmetics in the middle ages often led to blindness, deformities and even death. The negative side effects continue today, as marketing and advertising agency’s put their sights on society’s youth. The social consequences of this can have everlasting effects on very impressionable images.
It is rare today, to find Karate that has not had makeup applied to it. The “entrepreneur” may alter Karate to attract future customers by throwing away the plain white canvass Dogi (uniform), and replacing it with a satin “stars and stripes” uniform. For a considerable cost, of course. The “sportsmen” alters Kata performance by dramatic pauses, overly large movements, and never ending Kiai’s. During Kumite witnessing the victor pumping his fist in the air, while the defeated stomp their feet in frustration, is a common occurrence.
Recently I was privileged to see the Grand Canyon. To witness such natural beauty, that has not been altered by human hands is breathtaking. Bi is the Japanese concept of beauty. The purist of Traditional Karate must continue to practice Karate with no makeup. With this method we can protect and preserve our art for future generations.
Doryoku,
Scott
