Gichin FUNAKOSHI(1868-1957): Founder of Shotokan Karate

              The 20 Precepts of Gichin Funakoshi

1. Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.

2. There is no first attack in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to justice.

4. First control yourself before attempting to control others.

5. Spirit first, technique second.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Accidents arise from negligence.

8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets).

11. Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12. Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The battle is according to how you move guarded and unguarded (move according to your opponent).

15. Think of your hands and feet as swords.

16. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is

your behaviour that invites trouble from them .

17. Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.

18. Practicing a kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of

the body and slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every

 

The Shotokan  Dojo Kun

by Master Gichin Funakoshi

 

What does that mean?


 Read the words from the top down and from right to left. The right-most character says "Kun." Every line begins with a counter that means "one." Every line ends with the word ‘koto’, which literally means "thing." This is generally interpreted to mean "Here's a rule, here's another rule..."

                                                                  Seek Perfection of Character

Hitotsu! Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto.

(To strive for the perfection of character.)

Be Faithful

Hitotsu! Makato no michi o mamoru koto.

(To protect/defend the paths of truth.)

Endeavour to excel.

Hitotsu! Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.

(To foster the spirit of effort.)

Respect others

Hitotsu! Reigi o omonsuru koto.

(To honour the principles of etiquette.)

Refrain from violent behaviour

Hitotsu! Kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.

 
 What is the Dojo Kun?


The Dojo Kun is the rules of the dojo, and many believe that these, along with master Funakoshi’s 20 precepts are the way a karateka should lead his/her life. There are five of these rules in the DoJo Kun that were created by Funakoshi Gichin.

 What is the purpose of having a Dojo Kun?

The purpose of the Dojo Kun is to lend some ethical justification for the practice of Karate for which members of the B.S.K.I adhere. Essentially the dojo kun is an agreement that comes with karate. "Whereby you agree not to go around mouthing off, bullying people, or generally creating mayhem that may bring disrepute to the instructor, the dojo or the B.S.K.I. You therefore agree by joining the B.S.K.I to work hard, seek continual improvement, and behave in a manner appropriate for a B.S.K.I instructor or student.

 

 

 Master Gichin Funakoshi

 When you look at life think in terms of karate. But remember that karate is not only karate -- it is life

 

COMMONLY USED DOJO TERMINOLOGY

 

 

GENERAL TERMS:

karate do - empty handed way

shihan - master

sensei - teacher

sempai - senior student

kohai - junior student

dojo - training hall

obi - belt

seiza - kneel

mokuso - meditate

rei - bow

yoi - ready

hajime - begin

yame - stop

naote - relax

hidari - left

migi - right

jodan - upper

chudan - middle

gedan - lower

dachi - stance

zuki - punch

uchi - strike

uke - block

geri - kick

tai sabaki - body shifting

yori ashi - foot shifting

STRIKES :

kazama zuki - jab

choku zuki - straight punch

oi zuki - lunge punch

gyaku zuki - reverse punch

yama zuki - mountain punch

yoko zuki - side punch

shita zuki - inverted punch

ippon ken - one knuckle strike

uraken - back fist

tetsui - hammer fist

empi uchi - elbow strike

nukite-zuki - spear hand strike

shuto - knife hand

shuto-zuki - sword hand strike

BLOCKS :

jodan age uke - upper rising block

jodan tetsui zuki - upper hammer fist

gedan uke - lower block

kake wake uke - reverse wedge block

haishu-uke - back hand block

soto uke - inward middle block

uchi uke - outward middle block

morote uke - augmented block

teisho oshi uke - pressing palm heal block

shuto-uke - sword hand block

juji-uke - X block

 

 

KATA TERMS :

gedan-barai - down block

chudan oi zuki - middle lunge punch

chudan uchi uke - inside outward block

tetsui zuki - hammer fist strike

shuto uke - sword hand block

shuto zuki - sword hand strike

tai-sabaki - body shifting

jodan oi zuki - upper lunge punch

jodan age uke - upper rising block

yoko geri keage - side snapping kick

mae geri keage - front snapping kick

chudan uraken - middle back fist

chudan nukite zuki - middle spear hand strike

chudan gyaku zuki - middle reverse punch

morote chudan uchi uke - augmented middle inside outward block

jodan soto uke - upper forearm strike

morote gedan uchi uke - augmented lower inside outward block

morote shita zuki - augmented upper inverted punch

chudan teisho yoko uke - middle side palm heel block

chudan yoko zuki - middle side punch

ni jodan shita zuki - double inverted upper punch

chudan tsukami uke - middle grasping block

chudan osae uke - middle pressing block

chudan mae empi uchi - middle forward elbow strike

chudan keito uke - middle chicken head block

hitosashiyubi gedan nukite - lower index finger spear hand

shuto gedan barai - lower sword hand strike

washide jodan uchi - upper eagle strike

jodan mae geri keage - upper front snapping kick

chudan uraken - middle back fist

chudan hiza geri - middle knee strike

chudan mika zuki geri - middle crescent kick

chudan mawashi zuki - middle round house punch

jodan shuto juji uke - upper open hand X block

ni yoko chudan zuki - double middle side punch

chudan-tate-shuto-uchi-uke -middle level vertical inside outward sword hand block

chudan choku zuki - middle straight punch

ni jodan uke - double rising block

hidari ashi dachi - left legged stance

chudan uchi otoshi - middle falling block

jodan yoko uchi barai - upper side sweeping block

sho koko bo uke - tiger mouth block

chudan oi zuki maeude hineri - middle lunge punch with turning forearm

jodan tate mawashi uchi - upper vertical roundhouse strike

naname shita ni oshinobasu - double downward oblique push

gedan gassho uke - lower double palm heel block

sankaku tobi - triangle jump

chudan nakadaka ippon ken - middle one knuckle strike

jodan age nihon nukite-zuki - upper two finger spear hand strike

haishu uke - back hand block

jodan kensei - upper palm feint

 

STANCES :

zenkutsu dachi - front stance

kokutsu dachi - back stance

kiba dachi - horse stance

fudo dachi - rooted stance

neko ashi dachi - cat stance

hangetsu dachi - hourglass stance

 

KICKS :

hiza geri - knee strike

mae geri - front kick

yoko geri keage - side snap kick

yoko geri kekomi - side thrust kick

fumakomi - stomp kick

mika zuki geri - crescent kick

mawashi geri - round kick

tobi geri - jump kick

ni mae geri - double front kick

ushiro geri kekomi - back thrust kick