The real meaning of karate

[Alan Armstrong]

No First strike, could be interpreted as, don't start fights but end them as quick as possibly.

[MatsuShinshii]

There is a quote somewhere(a translation of a book about the man or by himself) from Motobu Chōki where the notorious karate expert explains the “no first strike in karate maxim”.

The anecdote involves Motobu being repeatedly pestered and threatened by a very aggressive and belligerent man at a social gathering. Motobu ignores him and keeps on partying until the man shows up armed with a large blade. At the point Motobu tells the man to step outside and when he does, Motobu kicks him in the back.

This could sound extreme, but the Motobu’s point specifically states that “no first strike” does not mean that one should wait to be struck before responding. It means that the best defense can be a pre-emptive strike when an attacker’s hostile action is clear and imminent.

This is where a good sense of observation and reading body language plays an important part. The problem is that few ordinary folks learn and train to recognize the signs of an imminent attack.

Thanks for the history. I had not read that. It's appreciated.

[Alan Armstrong]

20 Precepts of Shotokan Karate

As Written by GIchin Funakoshi

1. Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.

2. There is no first strike in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to justice.

4. First know yourself before attempting to know others.

5. Spirit first, technique second.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Accidents arise from negligence.

8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets).

11. Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12. Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The out come of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength.

15. Think of your opponents hands and feet as swords.

16. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.

17. Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced

18. Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body, and slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Always think and devise ways to live the precepts of karate-do every day.

[MatsuShinshii]

20 Precepts of Shotokan Karate

As Written by GIchin Funakoshi

1. Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.

2. There is no first strike in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to justice.

4. First know yourself before attempting to know others.

5. Spirit first, technique second.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Accidents arise from negligence.

8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets).

11. Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12. Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The out come of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength.

15. Think of your opponents hands and feet as swords.

16. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.

17. Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced

18. Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body, and slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Always think and devise ways to live the precepts of karate-do every day.

I did not read them all but you just listed modern dojo kun.

[Spartacus Maximus]

There are certain parts of karate philosophical/moral concepts that are often misunderstood and misinterpreted. “Sente nashi” translated as “no first strike” is one of these.

The problems often comes from a combination of mistranslation from Okinawan/Japanese to other languages; but more importantly a misunderstanding of the cultural and historical contexts in which the people who formulated these ideas lived, trained and taught.