The 20 Guiding Principles of Karate
These twenty principles were passed down by Master Gichin Funakoshi for the spiritual develpment of his students. They emphasize his desire to ensure that one should not be too caught up in the technical aspecs of karates fighting techniques. Rather it is the focus on the spiritual aspects that turn karate the martial art, into karate-do the way.
Hitotsu, karate-do wa rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru koto o wasuruna
Karate-do begins and ends with Rei (courtesy)
Hitotsu, karate ni sente nashi
There is no first strike in karate
Hitotsu, karate wa, gi no tasuke
Karate is on the side of justice
Hitotsu, mazu onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire
First know yourself then know others
Hitotsu, gijutsu yori shinjitsu
Spirit first, technique second
Hitotsu, kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu
The mind must be set free
Hitotsu, wazawai wa ketai ni seizu
Calamity springs from carelessness
Hitotsu, dojo nomino karate to omou na
Karate goes beyond the dojo
Hitotsu, karate-do no shugyo wa issho de aru
Karate is a lifelong pursuit
Hitotsu, ara yuru mono o karateka seyo; soko ni myomi ari
Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty
Hitotsu, karate wa yu no gotoshi taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru
Karate is like boiling water, without heat it returns to its tepid state
Hitotsu, katsu kangae wa motsuna; makenu kangae wa hitsuyo
Do not think of winning, think rather of not losing
Make adjustments according to your opponents
Hitotsu, tekki ni yotte tenka seyo
Hitotsu, tatakai wa kyojitsu no soju ikan ni ari
The out come of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength
Hitotsu, hito no teashi wa ken to omoe
Think of your opponents hands and feet as swords
Hitotsu, danshi mon o izureba hyakuman no teki ari
When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies
Hitotsu, kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai
Kamae (ready stance) is for beginners, later one stands in Shizentai (natural stance)
Hitotsu, kata wa tadashiku, jisen wa betsumono
Perform kata exactly, actual combat is another matter
Hitotsu, chikara no kyojakutai no shinshuku waza no kankyu o wasuruna
Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of techniques
Hitotsu, tsune ni shinen ku fu seyo
Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the way
