Funakoshi Gichin and “Karate ni sente nashi”

 

 

In rereading Funakoshi Gichin’s “Tanpenshu” (translated by Patrick & Yuriko McCarthy) I see so much more about what Funakoshi Sensei felt about the Okinawan art than just reading his more martial works about the nuts and bolts of his art.  I recommend everyone should get educated and read it themselves.

But today I am going to focus on just one passages.

 

Fighting

 

From olden times, there has been a valuable message passed on called “Karate ni sente nashi” (there’s no first attack in karate.). It has been passed down to this day and as an important educational lesson for young learners. Without this guidance it’s possible that a contradiction may surface in functional application with things the way they are these days.

 

Preemptive qi control is the most effective strategic deterrent in self defense. However, if you cannot achieve this outcome right away, then you must seek it at the next possible stage of the confrontation. If and when these concepts are applied in karate, a defender can overcome his adversary by first receiving the attack and then countering.

 

However the exception to this….”ni sente nashi” theory is precluded when it is a matter of live and death for our nation, or someone is about to harm or kill one’s parents, wife or children.

 

In the case of street encounters, or even being surrounded by a group of hoodlums, there are many ways to use your skills but I had better not explain such details for young people here &  now.

 

 

I get a feel that this was something that was more for younger students after reading his thoughts. The students having far less worldly experience. Or something useful to explain karate to outsiders worrying about the possible misuse of karate.

 

Of course that is just my own opinion.