WHAT IS KARATE-DO

Karatedo - as a sport, as an art form, as a means to self-defence – means different things to different
people:

Some see it as a way to keep fit, others admire its fluid movements and power behind its grace and
hence see it as beautiful art form. Yet others see the ancient value of it in self defence and practice it as
an ideal martial art which can be used anywhere to protect one’s self. No matter how you view it, the
one underlying factor common to all is that, once started, karate-do is a way of life for its exponents.

Karatedo to an observer seems simple – punch, kick, block. However, when one studies the detail of
something as simple as a punch, it becomes increasingly clear that that there are layers beneath the
simple motion of moving your hand forward at speed. The clenching of the fist to protect the fingers,
the sliding back of the attacking hand, the withdrawing of the direction hand and the power that comes
from one’s inner core all combine to deliver an explosive force that is at once both deathly in power yet
lyrical in grace of execution . Similarly a kick is not merely raising or flexing a leg – the movements that
one’s body goes through prior to that motion coalesce one’s appendage into a deadly weapon. At each
training session I try to keep this in mind and remind myself that there is always more to learn. Indeed, I
am of the opinion that in the 20-odd years that I have been practicing Karatedo, I have only touched the
surface of what remains to be learned of this ancient martial art.

Personally the art of kata is my favorite part of Karatedo, something almost poetic to watch – a dance-
like combination of strikes and blocks artfully created from seemingly simple kihon. From the
fundamental beginnings of tekki-yoki-shodan, to the ubiquitous power and technical superiority of Unsu,
every Shotokan kata is full of deep meaning and history. My personal favorites, Bassai-sho and Sochin,
are almost mesmeric in form, grace and power. I perform these katas in reverence, in awe and with
humble respect, as each performance brings me only but the faintest fraction closer to true mastery.

What does Karatedo mean to me personally? The very act of bowing to my seniors as well as my juniors
has taught me that every person is worthy of respect. Bowing to my opponent before and after kumite
has taught me to be humble. Lining up before and after every training session has made me disciplined
and taught me the value of order. It is these attributes that I try to instill in all aspects of my life –
professionally, socially, personally.

There is no simple answer to the question “What is Karatedo”. No one person can adequately describe
the essence of this art nor explain what it means to the practitioner, and claim that that is the ultimate
answer. What can be said is that each practitioner takes from Karatedo one’s own true meaning by
learning what and how kata, kihon and dojo etiquette can help one in living out the 5 Principles of Dojo-
kun.

- PRINITHA DOWLATH | SHOTOKAN KOKUSAI KARATEDO SOUTH AFRICA