Karate today and self defense

 

When we look back the predecessor arts that moved in part into what became karate were not specifically self-defense arts. Ti(Toudi) developed as working systems to be used for specific defense needs of Okinawan society. Not really self-defense.

Then when Karate gymnastics was developed for the Okinawan    school system it was not for self-defense but more to train those students to prepare them for upcoming military training in the Army and Navy of Japan.

Gradually karate developed on Okinawa, from those origins. Instructors gradually opened their teachings to more and more of the public. For many of those styles a part of what they taught was based on the earlier karate gymnastics. 

No question the karate that was taught, at any level, had its uses, but what did the average Okinawan really need of for self-defense. From what I understand Okinawa was a relatively safe place, not meaning bad things never occurred just I find it difficult to believe self-defense was the motivator behind most seeking karate training. in turn that makes me believe most karate training was not focused on actual self-defense,

Then, for many reasons, Karate (Okinawa) and Karate (Japanese) began to be exported to America and later across the world. As Karate schools became a more commercial adventure the schools began being marketed as teaching physical fitness, sport and Self-Defense.

The question of course is what Self-Defense it is useful for, and has that kept pace with the changing (everchanging) times?

In past America (when I was young) most acts of violence were just reported locally, never making wider coverage as in national awareness, except when the situation passed the threshold of   national coverage.  I see that the self-defense was focused on what seems likely locally. Of course, very bad things happened everywhere but often they were not shared and did not shape local understanding of what Karate training could be used for.

However, the world keeps changing, doesn't it. And from what I see today is something very different from the years I was actively sharing my Isshinryu. There are hordes of illegal aliens coming in ever increasing numbers. Some of them are into the new age narcotics, an attack on Americans everywhere. Then there are random attacks, such as a push or strike from behind, police officers are found attacked, and so many more. Gangs of people loot stores regardless of who might be hurt. Increasing shootings in many places, where is anyone truly safe.

Of course, I could go on and on, but to suggest that one teaches self-defense must mean you have a plan to help students prepare for such.  

And of course, the times are such that it seems in many locations one does not have a legal right of defense. Point the perpetrator are freed and the target of the violence when defending themselves find they are the ones jailed. Almost making teaching self-defense may be against the current interpretation of what the law today is.