IFK Kyokushin India

ORIGIN OF KARATE

Karate – do is a martial art originated in Okinawa, modified and transformed in a way of life by Master Gichin Funakoshi. Until before these modifications, it was just a group of techniques that permitted self-defense without weapons other than your hands and feet. Though there was some Chinese influence, the development was mostly Okinawan , and thus Japanese Master Funokashi , influenced by traditional martial arts from the main Japanese islands, kyudo, kendo, judo for example, he modified Karate, that until that moment could have been called Karate- jutsu , a fighting art and emphasized the philosophical aspects,this way all that was learnt could be extrapolated to the daily life of the student. This is why karate is a way of life : Karate-do (do means way or road ).

Gichin Funakoshi, thus, combined the karate techniques with the traditional budo(the martial way), inserting the essence of Budo in the heart of Karate – the real way of martial arts. The Budo word is formed by two Chinese characters, bu is formed by two symbols, one means to stop inside another that represents two weapons, two crossed halberds, this bu means to stop conflict. In master Funakoshi’s own words: “since karate is a budo , this meaning should be deeply considered, and the fists should not be used heedlessly “. Shotokai Chile, has modified its name from karate – do to karate Budo, to emphasize its difference from so many other karate – do’s that have very little of the original foundations, sort of what Master Funakoshi did when he modified the KARA character and added the ‘do’. The word Karate was formed by two characters, the first one ‘kara’ (empty) and the other te(hand), the first one having many sides to it .

The first one is the least subtle and the most straightforward, through the practice of karate, self defence techniques are learnt where no weapons are needed other than hands, feet or other part of the body . Secondly, and in other words of Master Funakoshi: “Just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion , or the quiet valley that echoes a sound, so must one h would study Karate – do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he /she understand that which he/she receives. This another meaning of the element kara in karate-do”. Another meaning given by the Master is that of always striving to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle, thus meaning a internal emptiness of egoism and acting gently and moderately.

Finally he talks about the elemental from the Universe, which is emptiness(kara), “and thus , emptiness is from itself. The ‘kara’ of karate-do has this meaning. “ After what has been said, it is clear that Karate do and Karate Budo are much, much more that mere self defence techniques, actually such a definition is far short from the real essence of Karate as a philosophy, which strives to develop the inner qualities of a human being and the search of perfection of your character, though strenuous training in the do and budo martial arts.

Meanaing of KyoKushin Kai

Kyoku: The Far East Asia

Shin: The Truth from Within or Reality

Kai: Club or Organization or Meet and Join