What Karate came to mean to me

Discussion makes a point and draws a line in the sand to attempt to control the discussion. That is how so many discussions start however I would like to start someplace else, using a study I discovered in my study of Linguistic philosophy, that of General  Semantics 3 premises.

 

1.    The word is not the thing. Or the use of  the word karate itself does not really describe the reality which is referred to as karate.

2.    The word does not describe the whole thing.  Trying to describe what karate represents never really encompasses everything that is there.

3.    Words, by their nature are self-reflexive. The use of the word then itself becomes another reality a step beyond reality.

 

In simpler terms a discussion becomes a thing on its own.

 

When I began karate my only reason was to study karate. I was not looking for self defense training, I was not looking for physical exercise (at the time I was a construction laborer) and I was not looking for a sport to compete in. My instructors never referred to the training in such a way. It was just the study of Isshinryu.

 

In time I  saw such descriptions, Ad nauseum, in karate magazines. Frequently as a way to advertise commercial programs to attract specific groulps of students. All those descriptions can be found in a karate program but they definitely are not the whole

 

The best personal definition I found describing what Karate is came  from an article Patrick McCarthy wrote in a British Martial Arts Magazine, that “ Karate could be translated as Empty (or infinite as in space) Hand. Thus the Infinite Hand. I don’t want to argue the semantics of translation, but I have found that definition works best for me.

 

Of course attempting to describe infinity to a beginner or a student with a single focus does not work. So temporary simpler definitions are used until their  training matures till they can understand what is there.

 

There is but single movement in motion or in stillness, then the ability to insert it into an attacking situation to conclude the opponent. In reality all yon need is one. But to acquire skill many kata are studied. In essence they do not change that reality that all you need is one.

 

It helps to work to understand the infinite number of ways that technique can appropriately be inserted into any attack. It also helps is you maximum unpredictability as how that technique can be used.

 

But we really can’t deal with an infinity of answers.

 

Instead the long study of kata works to keep our minds open, to realize newer ways those techniques can be inserted into an attack.

 

There is a place for sport to work on developing how to insert those techniques used into an attack. But the reality is that karate is much more than mere sport.

 

All sport  had rules which must be followed. Life however really has no rules as to how you might respond. Yes there are legal consequences but you can choose to factor those into your response or not.

 

An Olympic swimming champion is attempting to swim faster and faster. But the reality of swimming is to get from point A to point B.

 

Likewise all forms of athletic are based on following strict rules. For how long would any football game (of any sort) last if rules were not enforced.

 

Comparing the artificial rules of sport (karate, MMA, judo or wrestling)

Are never the range of what karate might employ.