The History of Karate
The fact that karate is called an art is of great significance. It should always be practiced with this in mind. The karate practitioner, or karateka, must work very hard to perfect his or her technique. The demands of this process have a great deal in common with other art forms such as dance. The karateka must learn to execute movement not only with great efficiency, power, speed and balance, but with grace and style. The aesthetics of karate are most obviously manifest in kata (traditional prearranged fight scenarios performed against imaginary opponents), used to develop refinement of movement, power and speed. The karateka is able to control the body and express him or herself through movement much as a painter controls paints and brushes and expresses him or herself through the precision and finesse required in painting. This all requires great concentration.
In free sparring or kumite (literally, free hand), skill in movement must be carried out with the utmost calm and control under pressure in order to react spontaneously and effectively to an opponent's attack. This brings to bear the meditative aspect of karate training. The very training itself requires and cultivates kime or mental and physical concentration and focus. Concentrating and stilling the mind is also practiced in conjunction with karate training in the form of sitting meditation for a few minutes before and after class. Students are encouraged to make meditation a daily regimen outside the training as well. (See the intermediate and advanced USKL manuals for more complete information on meditation).
It is hoped that through extensive training the student of karate will come to understand and appreciate the aesthetic qualities, and ultimately reach the deepest levels, the philosophy, ethics, and spirit of karate-do. At this deepest level karate-do emphasizes a mind/body unity of natural action and reaction and encourages an attitude of respect for all persons. The martial way is not aimed at violence. A fighting art is not merely fighting or a means to justified self-defense. Excellence of technique is ultimately not what is at stake. Practicing the art points beyond the art. One must not become attached to the vehicle of self-development itself or it can come to inhibit growth rather than promote it. Karate should be practiced as a means to self-understanding and maturity, rather than as an end in itself. Otherwise, it becomes nothing more than physical exercise or combat technique, and may lead to misuse. Although not all schools of karate are the same in what they foster, the true spirit of karate-do manifests itself in such qualities as discipline, honesty, sincerity, respect, humility, open-mindedness, and non-violence. Through proper training, the karate student develops capacities for concentration and self-confidence, which can carry over to and improve all aspects of life. Karate is only one of many paths. Whatever the path, if it genuinely aims at betterment of the individual as a human being, discipline and sincerity are at the core.
