An excerpt from an interview with Sensei Mikio Yahara, 8th Dan Chief Instructor of the KWF (Karate no Michi World Federation). Featured in Shotokan Karate Magazine: Issue #79, page #6.
Q: And what is the philosophy of Karate?
A: Karate has no philosophy. Some people think that the tradition of Karate came from Buddhism and Karate has a connection with the absolute, space, and universe, but I don’t believe in that. My philosophy is to knock my opponent out, due to the use of only one technique. One finishing blow!
An exceedingly large amount of today’s Karate practitioners, do not practice Karate in the traditional sense. It is my hope that through the last four blog posting’s I have established Karate may be performed Traditionally, with the correct mentality. The erosion of Karate’s traditional ideals, have been augmented by the following:
1. The false depiction and glamorization of Karate, by Hollywood films.
2. Karate being “sold” to the public.
3. Karate being introduced to North America (1950′s), by returning GI’s with limited training.
4. Unethical / inexperienced instructors.
5. Money being exchanged for instruction.
A note regarding #5: Traditionally no money was exchanged between teacher and student, it would have been considered distasteful, and contrary to Budo ideals. This does not mean the student did not “pay” in other ways. The relationship between “teacher and student” is a special bond that has nothing in common with a “merchant and customer” relationship. Presently most Dojo’s do charge money for instruction, and this is appropriate if the correct attitude is maintained. The student is not the “customer“, and the instructor is not a “merchant” selling Karate to make a living.
Maintaining Bushin in Karate, should be the objective of all practitioners. Bushin is commonly translated as “Martial mind or spirit“, and is the correct attitude or mentality for Traditional Karate.
Doryoku,
Scott
