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Shotokan Karate Philosophy and Competition.

Hi,
I am thinking about beginning to study shotokan karate and I was looking at the philosophy posted on this site. One of the precepts listed was to avoid violence. My questions is, is it against the philosophy of shotokan to participate in competitions, particularly full-contact matches?

 

 

Re: Shotokan philosophy



While I can’t speak for the Shotokan in general, I believe I can speak for some of the more renowned masters before our time. While tournaments are useful in promoting the higher achievement and continued learning of any system, they are detrimental to the practitioner in that they teach you to score points– not defend yourself. In a real-live situation, you are not going to want to know how to get three quick points on the guy who has a knife at your throat– You’re going to want to know how to get that knife away from him, or at least get Yourself away from him!I sincerely believe that modern competitions are more harmful than beneficial to martial artists, and that good ol-fashioned kumite (not point system) is what we need.

 

 

 

 

 

Re: Shotokan philosophy


When Shotokan karate was introduced to the masses by Gichin Funakoshi, it was an art of kata, exercise and self defence. As the years progressed the Japanese added kumite to the art and thus gave it a second angle, sport.
Many karate traditionalists, like myself, refuse to take part in fighting competitions as did Gichin Funakoshi. We believe in self development, modesty and self control, which can only be truly obtained thru the practice of kata.In answer to your question, is it against the spirit of karate to enter fighting competition? The answer is no. As long as it is a recognised competition with an agency that follows the regulations set out by the world wide shotokan karate association, or perhaps in your case the American version of said association.
Fighting can be useful for some people to preserve their confidence and help to hone their skills, just remember that there is always someone out there that is better than yourself+ do not become lazy in your training whilst you are on top.

Hope that helped. Enjoy.


 

 

 

 

Re: Shotokan philosophy


>>My questions is, is it against the philosophy of shotokan to participate in competitions, particularly full-contact matches?No, IMHO it’s not against the precepts to participate in competition, where all you’re really doing is comparing your skill to that of others. I have always looked at “avoid violence” as to not go looking for trouble (don’t take shortcuts through a dark alleys). It can also be interpreted as save fighting for the last resort. If you can talk your way out of a situation, do so. If you can run away, do so. Fight only when you have no other choice.

 

 

 

 

Re: Shotokan philosophy


hmm I’ve got a problem with keeping my temper calm
it’s this guy he complains about me not kicking and punching with control
and then he punches me in the face hard(have enough to make me complain )now ain’t that some shit?
anyway I was thinking do you have any good advice to give me cause I’m going” to my first competition in a couple of days
and first competition and bad temper doesn’t mix up
so do you have any good advice? so that i can keep my self calm and don’t hurt anyone

 

Re: Shotokan philosophy


I can totally feel you on that one. I too, struggle with a bad temper, and being in a more aggressive martial art, I find myself often wanting to (literally) rip someone’s throat out. The thing you have to remember, however, is that when you — *blinks* I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but the fact that it’s in a popular marvel comic, makes it no less true — When you have power, you also have responsibility. When you know you are in control of a situation, realize that there’s no need to prove it. When you find yourself angry (especially if you’re in a situation where you’re -supposed- to be hitting people), remember that anger clouds the mind. It clouds your judgement, and it will actually make you a WORSE fighter, even if you’re throwing harder. This is because you become sloppy, and wild. Control your thoughts, and you control your body.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm and is filed under Competition, Philosophy, Questions and Answers, Sparring, Training, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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