Jiriki karate club

A Guide To

KARATE DO

FOREWORD

It may be fairly stated that the majority of those who join a karate club do so initially for the wrong reasons. The greatest wish of many young men, attracted by the myth of the invincible karate expert who takes on and defeats all comers and smashes bricks and wood with ease is to wear the magical black belt and themselves become invincible.

But what is not appreciated is the degree of discomfort, the amount of sweat and the years of dedication the young man or woman will have to survive before he or she has the skill necessary to make either objective feasible. Yes, karate techniques can be used to smash objects and defeat opponents; but if this is the chief objective or rather, if this remains the chief objective then that student would be well advised to go and buy a shotgun, which certainly would ensure his success in combat.

Karate-Do is not a sport, nor is it primarily a system of self defence; these are merely facets of a multi-sided diamond, the heart of which is the rough, rugged painstaking quest for the answer to the meaning of existence, undertaken by a master and his pupils in their dojo. To understand this point is to take a great step forward, and to ensure clarification of many of the problems that may arise during the course of training If his Sensei is Japanese, or thoroughly trained in the Japanese spirit, the student may sometimes feel he is being selected for harsh treatment, that the instructor is not being 'fair' to him, all he ever seems to do is criticize. In fact, the student should welcome this; the Sensei is now showing that he has accepted him as a serious student and therefore worthy of criticism. Sometimes the Sensei will test the student's spirit by pressing him to his limits and beyond in stamina, courage and willpower The exhausted pupil should notice, however, that, severe though the Sensei has been, he has also been totally impersonal; and is just as demanding with every other student. Clearly, the master can have no friends in the dojo; by not offering the `prop' of friendship he forces the student to rely solely upon himself.

The student must cultivate the ability to see things in their true perspective and to be completely honest with himself. This means never making excuses for a bad performance, nor being content with 'coasting along' in training. Eventually he will be led to understand that it is just as egotistical to be concerned overmuch with defeat as it is to rejoice in victory It helps to understand that during such a period the body is actually assimilating the new knowledge gained from the training. It will reveal itself eventually and the student will suddenly find that things begin to go right. This plateau effect will pass, and it will also return; though of course each time the effect is maintained at a higher skill level

Once you begin Karate for the benefit you may derive from it, it is our hope as your Instructors that you will continue to train thoroughly until you arrive at a full understanding of the art.
Many people become weary and after the initial training they tend to stop for a while. However, this is a common state and not restricted to the study of Karate alone and a student may succeed or fail, depending on his or her attitude during this period.

Once aware of this state of languor, one must redouble one's efforts and pass through this phase with inspired spiritual effort. If he or she allows themselves to become discouraged and stops, the previous efforts by the student will be lost. The student who enters into this state of weariness shows that he/she does not fully understand or appreciate the art of Karate. If, therefore, any student does stop training and gives up the art with only superficial understanding of it, it can be properly said of them that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

The most common cause of falling into this state of weariness and dejection is falling behind in training, as compared with those who started the same time or even later than you. Another cause could be injury or sickness, or even the inability to use the limbs in a co-ordinated manner due to the lack of training. Yet another cause could be the lack of an Instructor to encourage or provide better training. These are the basic causes of student failures.

Another factor is that the student may feel that his lack of training makes him/her feel self conscious in front of his/her fellow students. The general excuses are that he/she is not really suited for Karate and finally quits the club altogether. The best way to progress is to keep to a schedule of regular practice each day to continue even after having fallen behind one's peers (one can catch up with them quite easily). Firmly set light goals to achieve and to practice without rushing or becoming impatient. This is in order that one may maintain one's interest and enthusiasm in Karate. (See Maxims)

DOJO KUN (dojo Maxims)                                

        These Maxims are mottos, the spirit of which serious students of Karate should try to follow 
        if they wish to gain the maximum from their training. The Maxims are like the English sayings 
        'Service not self, `Deeds not words; 'Be prepared; and exemplify an attitude which dictates a way of life.

1. Reisetsu O Mamori  (Stick to the rules). 
    In the Dojo good etiquette must be observed by following the rules.

2. Shingi O Omanji  (A student must have loyalty to his instructor). 
    This is the most important thing in Marital Arts. It is not possible for someone to change his style 
    in Japanese Marital Arts, People who do so cannot learn the correct etiquette and spirit of 
    Marital Arts.

3. Jojitsu Ni Oberezu  (Teachers and students are not all one). 
    Outside the Dojo you can be friendly with your Sensei but do not take advantage of his friendship.
    In the Dojo respect and revere him.

4. Shinkenmi Ni Tesseyo  (Be serious in your efforts). 
    No flippancy, chattering, smoking, gum chewing, eating or drinking in the Dojo. Concentrate 
    solely on Karate and train hard in everything you do. The Dojo is not a social gathering hall 
    and visitors as well as students shall respect the rules and the Maxims.