Kyokun Martial – Karate serves equity.

When I started preparing this text I came across an abstract and difficult to interpret concept: equity. At the same time, I realized that as I progress along this path of Budo, Karate becomes much more than learning to punch, use weapons or throws. This was made even clearer when I found this quote from Sensei Funakoshi” karate is not just about acquiring a certain skill, but about mastering the art of being a good and upstanding member of society. »

Thinking about the complexity of this precept, I wanted to go back a bit and see if there were other translations of the same Japanese text “Karate wa, gi no tasuke”. Searching I found three which, even if they seem different, give me an idea of ​​what the spirit of the text I am sharing with you could be:

1. Karate serves equity.
2. Karate is on the side of justice
3. Those who practice Karate must follow the path of justice.

These variations apparently come from the translation of the original version, where «GI» could be translated, as I understand it, as «fairness» or «justice», and «TASUKE» as «accompanying» or «supplement», which confirmed to me that when some translations talk about «justice», they are not talking about becoming guardians of the law, but rather that we should understand it as a just thing.

The second thing that touches me is the request to be «at the service of», to be «next to» or to «follow the path of». My interpretation is that Kyokun asks us to put aside our beliefs and egos to ask whether we should serve political correctness or justice.

All of us who are part of the Shorinjiryu Shindo school at some point in our journey learn the third Dojo kun «I seek the pure principles of truth, justice and beauty». This dojo rule is closely linked, in my opinion, to what Sensei Funakoshi asks of us. It tells us that we must be of service to what is right or just, but it does not tell us what justice or fairness is, it leaves it up to us to constantly seek pure principles and in each situation decide what is right and act accordingly.

From personal experience, I know that this situation of being in the service of equity or justice is difficult to apply, on the one hand, because not all of us have the same vision of what is right, and on the other because we may face hostile gazes if we go against what the majority thinks or the standards that the majority sets. It has always been like this, even Genwa Nakasone, teacher, journalist, friend of Sensei Funakoshi, said this: «When I look at myself and see that I am right, then my enemies, be they a thousand or ten thousand, cannot stop me. This obviously implies that one must demonstrate intelligence, discernment and true strength.»

In Bushido, the warrior must have the ability to see, decide and choose, but he must also have the ability to face in action means that may be hostile to prevent him from acting on the side of justice.