Kyokun Martial – In karate there is no first attack.

The first idea that comes to mind when I read Gichin Funakoshi’s second martial precept is that karate should not be used to start a fight or incite violence, but is that all? I think Funakoshi could have been more direct in telling us, «Karate is only for self-defense,» which makes me think there’s more to that statement.

Before I continue, I want to digress to recognize that these precepts can mean completely different things to each of you depending on your age and whether you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced karateka, or someone who has been practicing karate for many years.

In my interpretation, this martial Kyokun speaks to us of two moments. The first is «the before» and I connect it to a quote from Sensei Hironi Otsuka, the founder of the Wado Ryu school «There is nothing more unpleasant than finding yourself in a situation where you need to use martial arts to protect yourself. The purpose of training is to intensively prepare for its use and at the same time seek a state in which martial art should not be used. We must therefore constantly seek the path to peace». In summary, we must be ready and train not precisely to avoid conflict, but to seek peace.

However, I also think that Funakoshi talks to us about a «pendant». For me in karate, observing and controlling emotions is a key part of my development as a fighter. Funakoshi himself states in his book Kyohan Karate-do that only when you have no chance of escape should you consider self-defense techniques as a possibility. Even in these moments, Funakoshi continues, one must not show any intention of attacking, on the contrary, one must allow the attacker to lower his guard. Only then should you attack, concentrate all your power in a single attack on a vital point and use the surprise to escape and seek refuge and help. From here I conclude that what the Kyokun also tells me is that a karate fighter who watches and waits without anxiety for the opportunity his opponent gives him before attacking will be closer to victory.

Finally, I want to share with you an old story about two Okinawan karateka masters that I think describes well how I see this precept.

«In the early years of karate in Okinawa, there were two karate masters in two neighboring villages. Each village was very proud of its Sensei and soon a discussion began about which of the two was better. Over time, this discussion became so heated that a clash between the two became inevitable.

Eventually, the two masters found themselves on neutral ground and faced each other. The villagers eagerly awaited the action to begin. The two masters faced each other calmly, each waiting for an opportunity, but it never came. After what seemed like an eternity, the fight was declared a draw and the disappointed villagers went home in frustration.

A village student, following his teacher’s house, finally had the courage to ask: «Sensei, why didn’t you fight? What can we conclude from this situation? ʺ

The sensei smiles: ʺ We realized that we are both excellent karateka. We both understood that the first to attack would surely lose. So none of them were willing to attack first. ʺ»

When emotions rise, fists fall. When fists are raised, emotions calm down.

Couple: Luis Salgado