Words of the Masters
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants."
Gichin Funakoshi (1870-1957)
"Karate-do... has no such narrow ideal as the winning of championships. Human progress in the art is like climbing a series of stairs or steep steps. As the mind and body grow together, the student moves continuously onward and upward, one step at a time. Even when the body declines, there is still another step ahead in the seeking of chracter perfection. Until the day you die, the process is endless, because no one is perfect, but we can all become a little better if we keep trying."
Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987)
"One of the philosophical aspects of Karate-do is that perseverance in daily training, according to one's physical strength, builds confidence. Practicing Karate-do under superior instructors improves physical and mental health, and cultivates moral character no matter what age, gender or culture. Ultimately, karate fulfills the prime directive of the JKA: to refine and improve society."
Motokuni Sugiura
"Keep training!"
Teruyuki Okazaki
"Karate is a way of life which teaches self-confidence, health, and physical stength. Every effort in karate teaches you ... commitment ... for any task in life. You build karate and life at the same time. You grow spiritually and physically at once. Individual change comes through self-study. Then you find your own special techniques -- and you find yourself. The final goal of training is to act against any opponent with maximum efficiency."
Mr. Takayuki Mikami
"Karate is a lifelong challenge that is explained by the dojo kun -- seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor, respect others and refrain from violent behavior. Studying techniques gives you self-confidence and that gives you self-defense. But, self-defense is a state-of-mind, not a combination of techniques. The best defense is avoiding trouble. Karate is not the study of fighting, but of people. Kata and kumite are like the two wheels of a bicycle. Kata hones the edge of your sword ... kumite is using the sword."
Mr. Yutaka Yaguchi
"The difference between average and best, is effort"
Unknown
"Modern life is too quick and competitive, changes are rapid, and karate helps us see past the world around us and into ourselves. Our pace of living keeps us looking ahead, karate helps us rediscover ourselves. Studying kata is like basic education and kumite is the final examination. The only diploma is using karate in everyday life."
Mr. Shojiro Koyama
"The fighting aspect of karate demands continual victory in any battle. And this calls for the perfection of mind, body, and technique through training. Training with a clear personal goal is very important. This promotes development of techniques, body and mind. The karate state-of-mind is not shaken by any situation or change."
Mr. Shigeru Takashina
“ If in my younger days if I had been in a fighting situation, I would have attacked first to take my opponent by surprise. Now I have learned, while remaining calm, to look for a solution that would leave everyone uninjured…, yet I am still convinced that my power and skill are of such a level that I would not lose to any bully.”
Shigero Egami, Chief instructor, Shoto-kan Karate
"The angry man will defeat himself in battle as well as in life"
Samurai maxim-
A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action.
Samurai Maxim
“See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body”
Yagyu Munenori. Master Swordsman