Empty Hand. Kenei Mabuni

Itosu chose traditional techniques and modified them in such a way that they could be used for physical education. According to the ideals of modern physical education, highly dangerous techniques where replaced by techniques that were demanding and rich in substance and at the same time efficient with regard to physical education. So, the Passai dai kata contains a sequence from a side sweep (yoko barai) to a kick (geri), which was originally a movement from a spear hand stab in the eyes (kaishu metsubishi) to a kick to the genitals (kinteki). – Itosu Ankō created for example the group of the five Heian kata which is still very popular. According to the Japanese word Heian, which means calm and peaceful, this kata does not contain attacks on the so-called “golden targets” (e.g. the genitals and other vital points) and no dangerous techniques like the “eye crusher” (metsubishi).

      The founder of Kōdōkan Jūdō, Kanō Jigorō (1860-1938), proceeded in the same way when he removed all throwing techniques (nage waza) and blows (atemi) which had the potential to kill from traditional jūjutsu, thus developing modern jūdō. These were results of the modernization process the movement for cultural reform was aiming at.

      But in Shitō karate a lot of old kata remained. Although they were reformed by Master Itosu, there are numerous hidden techniques that have been handed down to us as non-written secret knowledge. Amongst them were rather cruel techniques to kill. One of my most diligent students, Terada, led the karate lessons in a club of a school that his son also used to attend. Once he told me laughingly that his son had criticized him saying: “Dad, your karate is always against the rules.” This touches the question whether such dangerous techniques should be part of karate practice and whether a martial education makes sense that surpasses the limits of self-defense. As stated above, attacking in order to defend oneself is part of the essence of karate. Indeed there is a certain “borderland” in the study of karate where one learns how to kill very efficiently. That means entering the world of budō. This problem is in fact the most important topic of this book. But first I would like to write about today’s values and the general aims of karate.

Karate and Health

      My father had dedicated his life to the development of karate as a means of physical education already before I was born. In the world of martial arts he was called “Mabuni the technician”. Being one of the inheritors of the authentic Okinawan hand-fighting techniques (te), he was generally considered to be an outstanding expert with respect to techniques. He wanted to develop and spread karate as a method to improve the health situation of the general population.

      In contrast to other martial arts, in karate the physical abilities can be enhanced by kata practice. All in all there are about 50 classical kata. Of course not all of them must be learned unless one wants to become a karate teacher. Kata are sequences of movements of attack and defense with respect to one or several imaginary opponents. In order to execute them no training devices are needed. Kata are easy to practice even in larger groups of people, and their practice can be a source of joy. There are some beginners who are afraid of kata exercises with partners called kumite. But in case one practices karate exclusively for one’s health, kumite is not needed. Furthermore one needs only little space. An area of 3.5 to 4 tatami mats (about 75-85 sq ft) should be sufficient.

      The Shitō karate developed by my father contains the traditional Okinawan hand-fighting techniques of the Shuri-te and the Naha-te. Apart from some small technical differences, it is a typical feature of the Shuri-te kata that they consist of many effective and fast attack and defense movements designed for long-distance fighting. For the Naha-te kata, close-distance fighting is typical, with “heavy” movements and a special breathing technique derived from Chinese Fukien kempō5. Having such a broad basis it is easy to find the appropriate kata for any age and any kind of physical condition. This is the great advantage of Shitō karate.

      Long kata include about 70 different techniques, shorter ones about 20. A short kata does not take more than one minute. During kata practice literally every inch of the body moves, so that results can be seen very soon. Men get strong and well-balanced bodies and women also become more beautiful. No space, no special devices or clothing is needed. So there is no easier method to improve the state of health. Even very busy people should be able to afford the few minutes a day needed to keep fit by kata practice. Some may think that they are already too old for it. But in principle one can start practicing kata at any age. Most of the masters of karate from Okinawa and mainland Japan enjoyed a long life.

The Physical Effects of Karate

      I myself could be regarded as living proof. I am now 83 years of age. I have never been seriously ill. Several times a year I travel overseas to supervise karate training. I never feel any jetlag and always start practicing with the young karateka the next morning after my arrival. 6

      In 1938 my father published the book Introduction into Attack and Defense Techniques in Karate Kempō.7 He stressed the positive effects of training, writing: “Karate helps to gain more pleasure in all other activities”, “Weak persons can strengthen their body practicing at home”, “Sick and overweight persons get strong muscles and become healthy”, “One drinks less alcohol in the evenings and one works more efficiently at day”, or “Neuralgia and mental weakness get cured”.

      My father actively propagated karate as an excellent means to protect and strengthen health. In cooperation with a medical university he could scientifically prove the positive physical effects by blood tests and urinalysis. In his book there are extracts from a research report on the physiological effects of karate by marine physicians. According to their report the metabolic functions and nerve reflexes, the sense of balance and the muscle power were improved. The whole physical condition was harmonized. Thus, the positive influence of karate practice on the body was sufficiently proven.8

      When his book was published my father had already been living on mainland Japan and propagating karate for ten years. He had brought from Okinawa a rather spiritual and even religious karate. Present-day karate is unfortunately very far from the one he wanted to spread. In his opinion, practicing karate for self-defense did not only require the training of fighting techniques but also a supporting spiritual and mental education. At the end of the book he wrote: “Once you will be confronted with a situation that demands action you will be able to act.”

Karate in Dangerous Situations

      Several times I had the experience of spontaneous reactions towards sudden danger. When I was 16 or 17 I went with a friend to the Shirahama beach in the Wakayama prefecture. We wanted to enjoy the view of the Senjōjiki cliffs. I was wearing a swimming suit, and I just turned my back to the sea and fixed my belt when I was suddenly hit by a huge wave. My friend, facing the sea, saw the wave coming and ran away. But I could not see it and was fully stricken. In this very moment I understood that a wave had swallowed me and that my body had lost its freedom, and so I clung instinctively to the rocks the breakers had thrown me against. Had I allowed the wave to draw me into the sea I would not have survived. Many people have lost their lives this way.

      Towards the end of the Greater East Asia War9 I was stationed on the Philippine island of Cebu. When the American troops had landed there with considerable force, we had to flee together with the Japanese settlers to the central highlands. We had to march at night because in daylight American reconnaissance aircrafts were cruising over our heads. So we were marching in total darkness, one hand touching the belt or the shoulder of the man in front. Suddenly I slipped and fell down the slope. When I regained consciousness I found myself about 15 feet below the path, and I was gripping my knapsack. Astonishingly I had remained uninjured. I thought: “Maybe it’s not such a good idea to stay behind.” Then I climbed up the precipice as quick as I could and managed to join the others. I remember that again I thought how helpful it was to practice karate. Once more my body evidently had spontaneously reacted to the sudden danger so that I remained unharmed in spite of the deep fall.

      There were many similar occasions, maybe less dramatic, in my life to make me realize that without karate I could have lost my life or at least would have been seriously injured. Some may say that my reactions